Firstly I have to thank Alan Docherty for providing me with an account of Saturday's proceedings. As I was unable to attend I relied on updates via WhatsApp on the day - they didn't make good reading! Here's Alan's opening comments and his account of the game as it developed:

"Played on a day of celebration as EK hosted a lunch for former teammates after 25 years since they lifted the Murrayfield Shield. The expectant crowd added to the party atmosphere but unfortunately the team couldn't quite get themselves going".

This game was played at Torrance House on a lovely mild, almost Spring like day. Unfortunately EK were rather slow to get into the game whereas Lenzie arrived in good fettle and full of confidence. On the front foot from the first whistle and deservedly took the lead following strong running and good hands.

Lenzie kicked off and put their name on the scoreboard with an early try. This was followed with a second 12 minutes into the game.
EK attacked the visitors line but Lenzie cleared when awarded a scrum in their 22.
As the first half edged towards its end EK conceded a penalty from which Lenzie added to their score when their prop crashed over for a converted try.

EK's indiscipline was giving Lenzie a distinct advantage. First of all Ben McLean was yellow carded as a result of EK's repeated offending and then, in the aftermath of Lenzie's third try Rory Blackwood was sent from the field for "bad sportsmanship" when, in frustration, he struck one of his team mates.

The second half started brightly for EK as Roddy Beaton went over for a try converted by Lucas Aitken.
Lenzie hit back with a converted try 20 minutes into the half before tries from Evan Middleton and Alex Irvine brought EK to within touching distance of the Lenzie total. This was, however, too late and playing with a depleted team EK ran out of steam allowing Lenzie to run in a further three tries during the final ten minutes of the game.

Alan's comments again - "Throughout the whole game EK players seemed to be very unsettled and lacked the required togetherness to take on the high flying Lenzie, there seemed to be a lot of bickering from the start of the game and the crowd were rather boisterous at times too.
Overall, not a great game and one that we’ll wish to forget quickly as we get ready to take on Strathaven this Friday under the floodlights".

Having had the opportunity to read the referee's report (of Roddy's red card), comments on the committee WhatsApp, the Referee's report of the nature of the game and the EK News report of the game players, coaches and supporters have a great deal of work to do. Firstly, referees remain totally unimpressed when they receive backchat on the field and criticism from the touchline. I have said this before and shall say it again. No amount of comment on the field or from the touchline is going to change a referee's decision. They will only serve to ensure that 50/50 decisions will almost always go against us. Secondly, disharmony in the team will cost us dearly. Any opposition that sees a team in disarray and arguing among them selves will rub their hands in glee. We have to put any differences we may have at a personal level behind us when we get on the field and play as one team.

As the season draws to close we have a cup semi-final (and hopefully a final) and six SRU West Division games to play. All are winnable, so let's get our act together and go out and win them.