Kilmarnock 26 East Kilbride 55

Before today these teams had met twice in league competition. The first game resulted in a narrow win for East Kilbride (EK), the second in a narrow win for Kilmarnock. As previous results had favoured the home side this suggested that Kilmarnock might have a slender advantage in what was expected to be a tightly fought contest.

In contrast to EK's earlier visit to Bellsland the visitors scored two tries in the opening 10 minutes. The first came from a break on the right with the final pass being delivered to the safe hands of Lucas Aitken. The second came in similar fashion with Evan Martin claiming the touchdown. With kicking duties divided between George Fisher and Rory Blackwood I can confirm that George claimed the first conversion, and Rory the second. For the record each kicked 3 try conversions and George converted a penalty during this game. With the score at Kilmarnock 0, EK 14, the home side responded with a converted try of their own. An EK offence gave Kilmarnock an opportunity to kick to touch close to the EK line and, from this, they took clean line out ball and drove over for a try. EK's response was immediate. George Fisher claimed the first after making a scintillating break down the right touchline and his second came after an excellent 50/22 from the boot of Rory Blackwood provided EK with good line out ball that was used to good effect by the EK back line. A further two tries, both converted, gave EK a 40-7 lead to take into the break. The first of these was scored by Harry Taggart when George Fisher unselfishly provided the scoring pass and the second was claimed by Grant Dryburgh.

Turning round to face the wind and with the lowering sun in their eyes EK were defending a substantial, 33 point lead, so it is, perhaps, understandable that they relaxed giving Kilmarnock an opportunity to get back into the game. The home side used the wind to good effect to take the ball into EK territory and, from there, they applied sufficient pressure to the EK defence to create try scoring opportunities; claiming three which, with conversions, brought the score to 26-40. It was, however, EK that had the final say. A penalty conversion from the boot of George Fisher was followed by two tries. George Fisher claimed his third and Evan Martin his second which, with conversions, made the final score Kilmarnock 26, East Kilbride 55.

Today's performance was certainly one to put a smile back on the faces of players, coaches and supporters and gave a clear illustration of what this young EK team can do when in the mood!. By getting back to basics EK put in an excellent performance. The scrum and line out both functioned effectively to provide good, clean ball. Passes went to hand and direct running from forwards and backs alike opened up gaps in the home defence that provided scoring opportunities, most of which were taken. Across the team tackling was greatly improved and it was notable that Kilmarnock's scores, when they did come, were all from close range. On a day when every player made a significant contribution to the final outcome a few exceptional performances are worthy of mention. Ben McLean took the line out ball well and had a quiet but effective game in the loose. Ri Murphy, a recent graduate from the under 18 group, is settling into the no.10 berth very well indeed. Roddy Beaton, Grant Dryburgh and Lewis McFie ran directly and strongly to set up scoring positions and from the front row of the scrum Harry Taggart showed that he can run at opposition defences to set up good positions for the EK attack. Player of the match? George Fisher claimed three tries, three try conversions and converted a penalty, scoring 24 points on the day, but the consensus view in my car a we made our way home was that this week's EK player of the match was Evan Martin. Evan scored two tries but what was most significant, from our point of view, was that his all round play has improved greatly during the season and this was very much on view in this game. He has always handled well. In this game he tackled well and got himself into the right place at the right time.

On Sunday 11th February EK will play Chalons en Champagne in the annual competition for the Bernard Leblanc trophy. As the outcome of the cup fixture between Kilmarnock and EK has been reported as a win for Kilmarnock there is a knock on effect for forthcoming league and cup fixtures. In any event it is unlikely that EK will be involved in cup or league competition before 17th February, but we'll just have to wait and see! Assuming that all other results in the shield competition have been recorded correctly EK will have a home fixture against Lenzie in the next round of the cup.