Wigtownshire 28 East Kilbride 22

East Kilbride (EK) made the long journey to Stranraer to take on a Wigtownshire side that, having been promoted from SRU Tennant's League West Division 2, had made a solid start to their season.

Having started without a few regulars from the previous week's line up, Evan Middleton, Gary Thornton, Ben Austin and Matthew Fletcher, who were all unavailable, EK's firepower was reduced further when, early in the encounter, Lewis Macfie limped off the field to be replaced by Mark (Sparky) Ellison. A shuffling of the team saw Rory Blackwood move to full back and George Fisher to outside centre with Sparky taking up his regular position at scrum half. Nine minutes into the game Wigtownshire were awarded a penalty, one of too many conceded by EK on the day. The resulting kick to touch took play close to the EK line. The ball, won at the resulting line out, was put to good effect as they spread play across the field to score the opening try of the game. The conversion made the score 7-0, a score that was quickly neutralised when George Fisher touched down for a try converted by Rory Blackwood. It did not, however, take the home side long to retake the lead. A penalty, awarded against EK was converted to give Wigtownshire a three point lead. EK had to wait a further 12 minutes before levelling the scores as Rory Blackwood's reliable right boot restored parity with less than 15 minutes of the half remaining. With the first period moving towards its conclusion Wigtownshire added two further scores to their tally with a converted try and a penalty to make the half time score 20-10.

The second period opened with Wigtownshire on the attack and it took some determined defence from EK to frustrate their attempts to extend the score. During this period the penalty count against EK was mounting and the EK support, spread along the north touchline, feared the possibility of EK's already depleted resources being tested further through the issue of a yellow card. This, thankfully, did not happen and having tried in vain to cross the EK line Wigtownshire decided to take the three points on offer when another penalty was awarded against EK. As the game moved into the final quarter EK hit back with an Evan Martin try but it was EK's Achilles heel, the conceding of penalties, that gave Wigtownshire the opportunity they needed to extend their lead. Like EK had done some ten minutes earlier the home side elected to scrum when awarded a penalty close to the EK line and they, as EK had done, used the first phase possession delivered to bring their points tally to 28 through an unconverted try. For EK though, the game was not over. When Wigtownshire conceded a penalty an accurate punt gave EK a line out close to the home team's try line. The catch and drive saw the EK pack over the line with Chris (Thunders) McLellan claiming the touchdown and Rory Blackwood's conversion giving EK a losing bonus point.

This was a frustrating day for an EK side which, though playing some good rugby, fell foul of the referee's whistle far too often. Sound defence frustrated the Wigtownshire attacks and with EK conceding far too many penalties possession was limited. The possession they did have have was used effectively, often to clear their own line and they did show that, when in an attacking situation, they were able to produce points. With teams tightly packed in the middle of this division bonus points may be critical as the year wears on. It was good to see that, although their backs were against the wall for much of the second half, EK did not become downhearted and produced a vital score as the match neared its conclusion.

In a game that was, for the greater part, forward dominated, it is appropriate that the player of the match be awarded to a forward. David McGiven had a good game and, as captain for the day, led the team well, but I'll endorse the players' decision to make Calen Brown the EK player of the match.

Next Saturday (November 11th, KO 2 p.m.) EK travel to Cumnock. EK secured a very narrow victory against them in the opening game of the league season. With their league results reading 4 wins and 4 losses the team should be looking to improve on this statistic and improve their league position.