This was a key match for both sides. At the outset East Kilbride (EK) sat at the foot of the table on 4 points and Oban Lorne (OL) were one place above them on 6 points. For both teams, therefore, a win would do much to improve their position as they attempted to move away from the relegation zone.

On the day it was OL that fired the opening salvo when, after a period of assault on the EK line, they crossed for an unconverted try. EK's response was immediate with Ross McKeown going over for the first of his 4 tries. Michael Calderwood added the extras to give EK a narrow lead. With play swinging to and fro' during the next fifteen minutes of the game it was the visitors that edged themselves back into the lead with a converted try. This position was soon changed as Roddy Beaton latched on to a loose ball in his own half, kicked through to take play into OL's 22 from where good back up play provided a platform for EK's second try. Michael Calderwood's second conversion gave EK a two point advantage. Further tries followed before half time. OL scored once more and EK twice to give the home team a nine point advantage going into the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to that of the first. OL opened strongly. Two unconverted tries and a drop goal took them into the lead giving EK a knoll to climb if they were to achieve that much needed victory. The tries came, two in as many minutes, as the game drew closer to its conclusion and with less than 10 minutes of the game remaining EK's defence held strong as OL worked to get a losing bonus to add to the try bonus they had already collected.

Overall this was a very entertaining game of rugby in which a total of 11 tries were scored (6 by EK and 5 by OL). Ross McKeown, with 4 tries, had an outstanding game with Evan Martin and Alistair Marriott grabbing the other two. Another meritorious performance came from the boot of Michael Calderwood who successfully converted 5 of EK's six tries. Michael was one of 5 players on duty who graduated from last season's u-18 squad, the others being his brother Simon, Lewis Kerr, Euan MacFarlane and Matthew McGill. All are fitting into this XV very well. They are the future of our club and we sincerely hope that they will be wearing the black and yellow with pride for many years to come.

As the score suggests this was a closely contested match, a true battle between sides seeking the edge that would take them away from the foot of the table. In such a contest the possibility of tempers flaring is always possible and it was to the credit of referee, Ed Crick, that play was well controlled as decisions were explained clearly. In the event there was only one yellow card issued, to an Oban player late in the game when an illegal intervention probably prevented a promising EK attack from scoring a try. Tension does, however, create play that leads to errors, dropped passes, sclaffed kicks missed and high tackles to name a few. For EK going forward minimising these mistakes will lead to improved performances and with more games in which they show the commitment and determination that has been apparent in recent weeks they should continue to climb from their current position.

In this game a number of players could make a good claim to the title of EK player of the match. The assured play of the young half backs, Matthew McGill and Simon Calderwood, and the confident kicking of Michael Calderwood are most certainly worthy of mention as was Lewis Kerr's excellent 50-22 kick that took EK into an attacking position in first half. However, two players were outstanding. Ross McKeown's 4 tries, testament to the strength of his running and his eagerness to score, and Roddy Beaton who hounded the opposition effectively causing them to turn over possession as well as being a reliable provider of line-out ball. The view of the clubhouse faithful after the game was that they could not be separated so this week we have 2 EK players of the match, Ross McKeown and Roddy Beaton.

Next week EK travel to Maybole to take on Carrick (KO 3 p.m.). Newly promoted from Arnold Clark SRU League West Division 2, they have been making a mark on this division having headed the table until yesterday when a loss to Lenzie saw them drop to third place. As EK continue to improve this game will be test of how far this improvement has come, so let's get down to Ayrshire and support our lads.