On a dull, but dry Edinburgh morning East Kilbride kicked off to set the SRU National Shield Final underway. Stewartry attacked from the moment they received the ball and within 15 minutes accumulated 10 points from 2 tries, neither of which was converted. Though pretty much under the cosh at this point in the game EK responded with a 50-22 from the boot of Rory Blackwood and some slick work in the back division which saw Evan Martin cross in the corner for an unconverted try. Stewartry's response was immediate. A third try, converted this time gave them a twelve point lead which Rory Blackwood reduced to 9 with a well taken penalty. With the half-time score EK 8, Stewartry 17 the team from the south-west looked to be very much in control, particularly so as EK had spent a considerable amount of time camped in their own 22, defending stoutly.

Stewartry increased their lead early in the second half when they turned over the ball from an EK scrum, caught the defence flat footed, and touched down in the corner. From that point on EK began to exert control. On 54 minutes, from a ruck on the Stewartry line, Matthew Smith darted over for a try which Rory Blackwood converted. Further chances came EK's way. Rory Blackwood failed narrowly with his first long range penalty attempt, but miskicked a second - was the pressure getting to him? EK's attack continued with Christopher (Tophie) O'Neill and Gareth Jones carrying the ball into the Stewartry defence and, finally, crossing the opposition line only to have the referee deem that the ball had been held up and awarded Stewartry a goal-line drop out. EK continued their assault on their opponent's line knowing that a converted try would bring scores level and take the game into extra time which, as they were looking stronger at this stage, could well have been to their advantage. That vital score, however, did not materialise and so it was that Stewartry ran out winners and took the SRU National Shield back to Greenlaw.

In what has been a mixed season for EK, a league season in which games that they might have expected to win have been lost, but in which there have also been some memorable victories, those that took them to Murrayfield being particularly noteworthy. Stewartry finished 2nd in our league. On that basis it is reasonable to say that they started this game as favourites. To EK's credit they put up a good fight and might have regarded themselves unlucky not to have got the rub of the green as the game approached full-time. Stewartry will play Ellon next Saturday for a place in the newly formed National League Division 4. We wish them well. For EK it's time to reflect on the season that has just come to an end and prepare for that to come. There will be some new names on our league fixture list, so we look forward to welcoming clubs we haven't had the opportunity to entertain at Torrance House for some years back to our home and to revisiting grounds that have been off our list for some time. Most of all we look forward to a season in which we play positive, entertaining, winning rugby that sees EKRFC return to the national leagues and, just maybe, another trip to Murrayfield to get our hands on that elusive shield.