Ardrossan Academicals 24 East Kilbride 5

Playing against an Ardrossan team that had already secured the top spot on SRU West League Division 1 on a day when a gale force wind blew diagonally across the field EK were always going to be up against it. Their difficulties were compounded 20 minutes into the game when Matthew Fletcher received a red card for dissent leaving EK's 14 players to to take on an Ardrossan team which, to this point, were unbeaten in league competition.

From the outset the home side made their intentions clear as they attacked with ball in hand. EK defended stoutly but in the process gave away a series of penalties for infringements at the breakdown. It was at one such moment that Matthew Fletcher questioned the referee's decision and was rewarded with a yellow card that was changed to red when he criticised the ref a second time. EK's 14 men continued to defend stoutly and held off the Ardrossan attack until, 30 minutes into the game, Ardrossan crossed for the first of their four tries, the other three coming in the second half. Although EK were up against it in the first half there were some bright moments. A couple of 50/22 kicks from the boot of Rory Blackwood gave the visitors attacking line-out options close to the Ardrossan line, George Fisher made a couple of telling breaks and Gary (Gump) Thornton, playing at No. 8, made some powerful runs to threaten the home defence. Unfortunately for EK, Ardrossan's defence was stout, and so it was that the score remained Ardrossan 7, East Kilbride 0 at the break.

Receiving the kick off EK immediately mounted a rumbustious attack and took the ball into the home 22. Unfortunately this attacked did not prove fruitful, and Ardrossan made full use of the wind to take the game back into EK's 22 where they outstretched the EK defence to touch down in the right hand corner. This try was unconverted as was Alistair Marriott's, a few minutes later, which resulted from a determined attack on the home line. As the game wore on Ardrossan took full advantage of the wind to take the game to EK and were duly rewarded with two further converted tries to take a try bonus point from the game.

Playing against a team that had gone through the league unbeaten EK were always going to have to be at their very best to burst the Ardrossan balloon. In the event they played with a great deal of grit and determination, but with only 14 men on the field for most of the game they were at a distinct disadvantage. With the strong wind making conditions difficult the EK backs' handling was creditable with centres Lewis Mcfie and Lucas Aitken working well together while the half-back pairing of Richie Murray and Rory Blackwood (latterly Mark Ellison), worked well. George Fisher ran effectively from full back and the wingers, Lien Brown and Craig MacKenzie, while seeing little of the ball put in some sterling work in defence. For most of the game the set scrum held up but, whether it was tiredness or a lapse of concentration that caused this, they were driven off the ball on a couple of occasions. Their line out, in which David McGiven made a major contribution worked surprisingly effectively given the strength of the wind and during the second period they turned over a number of opposition throw ins. Every forward played with great determination in both attack and defence and while telling carries were executed they were, with the exception of those leading to Alistair Marriott's try, unrewarded. One forward carried through opposition defences from both his position at No. 8 and in open play. That player is this week's EK player of the match - Gary (Gump) Thornton.

With only two league games, both at Torrance House, to be played, against Wigtownshire and Dalziel respectively, EK sit 5th in their division.
Wins in these games will help the team to sustain this position and may even bring them a fourth place finish to the season, so there is still much to play for.