EK’s return to HQ (after a fashion) for the first time in some 4 years saw a 2.18pm kick off due to traffic congestion following an accident on the M8. Some cruel wags said that it was to help EK, the perennial slow starters, as they usually only woke up after 20 minutes. Once more this was true, they woke up around 2.38!

There was a strong cross wind which was arguably in EK’s favour in the first half. This made little difference as they had no ball with which to operate for some 20 minutes. They got humped at the first, second and third scrums and conceded a penalty at the fourth. With no ball, a tough defensive day was in prospect against a Murrayfield side still to register a win this season.

EK did not help themselves. Awarded a rare penalty, they ran it instead of kicking for position and conceded a penalty due to the ball carrier getting isolated. Then Robbie Greenfield threw his toys at the referee claiming a knock on. I checked my diary – yes, Mini rugby is played on a Sunday!

Highlights were few, even though EK were tackling their hearts out (with a few exceptions). The hosts, for all the possession, were huffing and puffing looking for a score. An early penalty effort came up short due to the wind. And the EK forwards were finally applying themselves in the tight, albeit the scrum was still a cause for concern.

Scott Shankie did good work in the loose to tie up the hosts. We then kicked a penalty down the line and from the line out some 40 metres out, winger Mark Ellison ran a great line midfield to slice through and put Ian Brown away for a great try which was very much against expectations. Bert Blackwood’s conversion made it 0-7 for the visitors after 34 minutes.

EK were playing with rather more confidence now, Tam Hughes came close on the left wing. A series of EK scrums near the Murrayfield line were repelled but when EK finally put it out the backs, Shankie almost got across. The hosts infringed, for what looked like a yellow card offence which the referee ignored, but Blackwood’s penalty made it 0-10 at half time.

This would have seemed an unlikely score based on the early play but all credit to the pack for edging them back in to the match. No 8 Craig Ferguson must have a sore back, feretting the ball out from the front row while going backwards while Chris O’Neill was the standout player, working hard in the tight, and tackling everything that came near him.

EK started again with some tactical adjustments – Shankie came off as he was tired, Greenfield took over at centre with Ellison at full back and the muscular, five stone when soaking wet, Chris Mullins coming on as right wing. Against the wind, a huge defensive effort seemed in store.

It was all Murrayfield pressure. They finally got across the whitewash after 53 minutes when prop Alistair Chalmers drove over for an unconverted try in the right corner. Murrayfield were understandably getting excited at the prospect of their first victory. EK did not help. Lock Ferguson gave away a silly penalty for shielding, which meant we were defending our line again.

A few minutes later, wing Tam Hughes got a yellow card for apparently not rolling away when at the bottom of a ruck. Only desperate defence stopped a home score, allied by poor handling, option taking by the hosts.

EK played their trump card after 65 minutes, bringing on assistant coach Graeme Blackwood for Ally Dalgleish, sticking YARP to play beside his brother at lock with Blackwood on the flank. Two minutes later, EK won their first penalty of the half which was loudly cheered (or was it jeered) by the EK support.

EK’s one move of the half saw a rare ball out the backs, with Ian Brown beating four men on a curving run. Clearly he is aware it is the festive season as he then passed the ball inside when he still had one man to beat. The gasp from the EK support at this rarity must have been heard all around the west of Scotland. The first time that half we had got across the Murrayfield 10m line. We also got in to the 22 once!

This all culminated in another rare penalty for EK, due to a high tackle, but Blackwood missed what was, for him, a pretty straightforward kick albeit it in a very difficult wind.

And that was it. Not a great day for a rugby match, but the weather was much kinder than it was in EK. The hosts were left despondent – with the amount of ball they had, they really should have done better – while the EK XV were just relieved to have held on for the victory.

Man of the Match: not a huge choice, given the nature of the contest. The backs never had enough ball but did occasionally look dangerous, thanks mainly to Brown. The forwards toiled manfully all day. Credit to the front row for sticking in, to YARP and Gareth for working hard on retreat but the ever inconsistent Chris O’Neill[ just edged it for, guess what, his consistency on the day!

This result leaves EK still in sixth in the league table, nine points adrift from fifth placed RHC but six points ahead of old rivals Irvine in seventh. Next week we host early pacesetters Dumfries, who are currently in fourth. Kick off 2pm.

Match reporter wanted – I am taking a two week break from match reporting (aka deserting my post) to follow my second team, Glasgow Warriors, against Toulouse and then Munster. So if anyone would like to try their hand at match reporting, do let me know. You can write it and I will post it/them on the website. One home match (Dumfies) and one more distant (Hawick). Do one or both? Deal?