East Kilbride 31 - Kilmarnock 12

Good win with try bonus

EK kicked off to start this game knowing that a victory with a try bonus point was needed to keep them in with a chance of achieving the top spot and promotion to National League Division 3. They started nervously, spilling the ball and turning over possession too often and giving away a considerable number of penalties as Kilmarnock had the better of early exchanges. The visitors did not capitalise on their early pressure and it was EK that opened the scoring mid-way through the first half when Mark (Sparky) Ellison broke round the blind side of a ruck, chipped ahead and latched on to his kick to score close to the uprights giving Roddy Beaton, who had assumed kicking duties in the absence of Scott Shankie, a fairly straightforward conversion. The EK lead was extended when Jonno Ford burst through the defence from short range. Roddy Beaton’s conversion made the score 14-0 to the home side.
As the half drew to a close Kilmarnock made their way on to the score sheet with an unconverted try. EK, however, were not finished and when, in time added on, clean ball was won at a line and moved quickly through the backs Grant Dryburgh touched down following a searing break by Aiden Stott. The score went unconverted giving EK a 14 point half time lead. This was a great team effort and probably the best try of the day.
Kilmarnock kicked off to start the second [eriod of play. EK’s priority at this point was that of scoring the crucial fourth try to secure a try bonus. As in the first period EK took some time before achieving this but did so when, 20 minutes into the half, Ben Mclean went over in the left-hand corner of the field. The conversion attempt went wide but, most importantly, the try bonus point had been secured. Soon after this EK came close to scoring when Calum Simpson intercepted and used his pace and strength to take the ball well into Kilmarnock territory. EK’s final score did come 33 minutes into the half when the scrum, which had proved dominant all day, pushed their opposition over their own line for Evan Middleton to touch down. Roddy Beaton converted to complete the scoring for EK. Kilmarnock’s response came a few minutes later when they scored their second try of the afternoon which, with the conversion, mad the final score EK 31, Kilmarnock 12. EK had one more attack before the final whistle blew to end the game. The ball was moved to Lewis Brown who had a good run but was hauled down and into touch short of the line having left a couple of defenders despairing in his wake.
While this was a good victory it was not EK’s best performance of the season. The ball was lost, knocked on or turned over too often in close play and they gave away too many penalties. On the positive side there was some good running from the backs with Aiden Stott in particular using his pace and his eye for the gap to good effect. Riche Murray was sound in attack and defence and his kicking from hand has improved considerably since making the move to stand off. The younger players, Grant Dryburgh, Lewis and Matthew Brown bring youthful enthusiasm to the side while in the forwards Jonno Ford and Paul Rosie carry well and put in the kind of crunching tackles that make those around them glad that they are on the same side. Christopher (Tophie) O’Neill put in another excellent shift winning a lot of ball on the ground and taking play to the opposition. Although there was room for improvement there were also aspects of play that were most creditable. And so to man of the match. There were many contenders but for the way in which he broke the deadlock in the first half with an individual score and for his all round play man of the match this week goes to Mark (Sparky) Ellison.
Results elsewhere see Allan Glen's retain their place at the head of the division with Greenock Wanderers still hard on our heels. EK must do their best in the remaining two games – i.e. secure victories with try bonuses in each – and hope that both Glen's and Greenock slip up.
Team – Dryburgh, M. Brown, Simpson, Stott and L. Brown. Murray and Ellison. McLellan, Ford, Beaton, Rosie, Irvine, Beaton, O’Neill and Middleton.
Replacements – McLean, Dalgleish and Aitken.