East Kilbride 30 Cumnock 29

With the game well into time added on Cumnock were awarded a penalty. A short tap and kick to touch would have ended the game making them victors by 29 points to 27. However, a petulant act by a Cumnock player saw the penalty reversed. Rory Blackwood stepped up to the mark to kick the penalty goal that gave East Kilbride (EK) victory by the tightest of margins.

Cumnock kicked off and having regained possession launched a series of attacks on the EK line. During this opening fifteen minutes the home side conceded a number of penalties. Cumnock eschewed the opportunity to go for goal choosing instead to kick to touch and build from the line out. This paid off eventually when, 15 minutes into the game, their number 12, Houston, crossed for a try converted by no. 10, Davidson. EK responded well by taking the attack to Cumnock. Following a series of short range penalties the tactic of picking and going from a tap penalty paid off as Evan Middleton crossed for a try that closed the gap to 2 points. A few minutes later EK took the lead when Lucas Aitken was successful with his penalty kick and this was further enhanced when Lewis Macfie crossed for an unconverted try. This lead was short lived as, from their own kick off Cumnock fielded the ball and ran in a try scored by their no. 8, Anderson. In what was a bizarre period EK put themselves back in front when Lucas Aitken touched down between the uprights to give himself an easy conversion. And so it was that after a period of play in which three tries were scored in only a few more minutes, that when the referee blew for half time EK were in the lead, 20-14.

Cumnock started the second half with great determination and were rewarded with three unconverted tries, the last of which was scored by their speedy no. 9, Smith, to give them a 9 point lead. At this point EK were on the back foot, but picked themselves up and, when a catch and drive from a line-out close the Cumnock line was hauled down, they were awarded a penalty try bringing their points tally to within 2 of the visitors' total. From that point on it was touch and go with both sides conceding penalties and Cumnock reduced to 13 with two players serving time in the bin. And then...that penalty reversal that brought EK the vital 3 points needed to secure victory and break the hearts of the Ayrshire side's players and supporters.

This was a keenly fought match to open both sides' league campaign. Though, from an EK perspective, we consider ourselves a little lucky to have secured the victory, there was much to be positive about. Both backs and forwards played well with the ball in hand and are to be complimented on the way in which they kept the ball alive; a definite improvement on last season. The team played with grit and determination and this was most evident in the closing quarter of the game when they looked to be the fitter side. The two areas that need attention are the scrum, which was under intense pressure at the set piece, and tackling, as missed tackles let the opposition get on to the front foot and contributed to scores against EK. What also proved significant in the final analysis was the importance of an effective kicker. Missed conversions cost both sides dearly and it was a fine penalty conversion from Rory Blackwood that decided the outcome.

My EK player of the match - there were quite a few contenders from both backs and forwards. Early in the game my vote was for Evan Middleton and though others came into contention as the match progressed. Evan not only scored EK's vital opening try, but for his open play and leadership throughout the game he is my EK player of the match.

Next Saturday (9th September), EK travel to Lenzie for their second match in Tennent's SRU West Region League Division1.