On the opening day of the season, two weeks ago, East Kilbride (EK)were narrowly beaten by Annan while recently promoted Cumnock beat Ayrshire rivals, Garnock, to move into the top half of SRU Tennent's West Division 1. And so it was that EK travelled down the roads to East Ayrshire expecting a tough game. They were not to be disappointed.

The game started furiously with both sides showing willing to attack with ball in hand. EK had a couple of chances to open the scoring but it was Cumnock that drew first blood when, 8 minutes into the game, their right wing found space to touch down in the corner. EK came back into the game and were rewarded when, with 25 minutes on the clock, Cumnock offended, and Scott Shankie secured the 3 points on offer with a well struck penalty. 4 minutes later it was Scott again when he exploited a gap in the Cumnock defence to touch down between the uprights. Scott converted his own try to make the score Cumnock 5 - EK 10 and this was how it stayed till half time.

The second half started bizarrely. The half had barely begun when an EK player knocked the ball on to the Cumnock right wing who also knocked on but quickly regathered and ran in unopposed to score between the posts giving the kicker an easy conversion. Supporters from both camps looked on aghast but the referee was clearly unsighted when the ball was knocked on and awarded the try. As one Cumnock supporter said "if the game is won by a single score this decision will be a major talking point!" EK's response was quick. 4 minutes later Evan Martin crossed in the right-hand corner to return the lead to EK. Rory Blackwood's touchline conversion added the 2 points. 5 minutes later Lucas Aitken finished off a well worked move and Rory Blackwood converted to give EK a 12 point lead. Cumnock, however, did not lie down and with unconverted tries 61 and 67 minutes into the game put themselves 2 points short of the EK total. It must have been the pressure of a close fought encounter that affected the Cumnock kicker as the attempt to bring the scores level when the latter of these tries was scored in a very kickable position went wide. Rory Blackwood may too have been nervous as he lined up to convert the final try of the game when Richie Murray touched down wide out right but it didn't show as the kick bisected the uprights to give EK a most valuable two score advantage with 9 minutes of official time remaining.

The 9 minutes turned to 15 as Cumnock fought hard to get back in front but stout defence by EK made sure that the score remained unchanged.

After the disappointment of the first Saturday this was a welcome return to form, but it did not come without cost. By the time the final whistle blew EK's bench was empty and quite a few players were limping back to the changing rooms. With others already on the injury list it is to be hoped that none of the injuries is too serious and that it will be possible to field a full squad when Carrick come to Torrance House next Saturday (KO 3 p.m.). Our physio is going to have a busy week. How we need her!

After a performance in which every player put in a really good shift it is difficult to single out one individual as player of the match. Someone who stood out in both attack and defence and showed leadership and commitment to inspire those around was Scott Shankie and he is this week's player of the match.

For team see "line-up".

Unfortunately, I'll be out of the country again next week so shall miss the game against Carrick but, as I have no further plans to roam, I'll be back on October 1st for the trip to local rivals, Cambuslang, who have had a pretty impressive start to the season.