This match could not have started better for East Kilbride (EK) as the kick off was fumbled by the Greenock Wanderers (GW) player giving EK the put in at the first scrum inside the visitor's half. EK took advantage of their position in the GW half of the field with some strong running by Ben Walters in particular. However, some early mistakes returned possession to GW who punted themselves into the EK half from where Roddy Beaton and Grant Dryburgh with a combination of the boot and determined running took the attack to GW. In this first phase, when there was much toing and froing with mistakes being made by both teams, something had to give and it was EK that were the beneficiaries when GW were penalised in front of their posts. Roddy Beaton claimed the 3 points on offer with a successful conversion. EK continued to attack and were rewarded for their endeavour with Ross McKeown crossing the GW line twice within the opening quarter of the match. Roddy Beaton added the extras to give the home side a 17 point lead. GW struck back with an unconverted try 5 minutes before the end of the first half, but it was EK that rounded the half off with their second penalty conversion and an unconverted try when, from a forward encounter on the GW line Ben McLean claimed the final score of the half.

Having turned round with a 20 point lead EK might have thought themselves home and dry. GW, however, had other ideas. With 20 minutes of the half over they finally turned their attack into points with two tries, one converted, to reduce the gap to 8 points. With regular time running down it was a mistake, a dropped ball, in the GW back division that gave EK relief as Evan Martin latched on to the loose ball and ran clear to touch down. Grant Dryburgh converted. GW's final attack of the day saw the ball moved effectively to their right winger who touched down in the corner. The ensuing conversion brought the gap back to 8 points but this was not to last long as Alex Irvine took the ball in space on the GW 22 and ran clear to score a try converted by Grant Dryburgh.

This bonus point victory moved EK a little further away from the foot of the table, and that in itself is very pleasing. It was a game between two teams in the bottom half of the division and, in some respects, the pattern of play reflected that as both sides made mistakes which returned the advantage to their respective oppositions. In the event it was EK that profited from the GW errors though it has to be said that creativity in attack provided them with the opening tries. EK scrummaged strongly, particularly in the opening session, but struggled to provide good, clean ball from the line-out which, given that this has worked well in recent matches, was a bit of a mystery.

Without going into names it is fair to say that quite a number of players on the EK team put themselves into the frame for the honour of players' player of the match. The player that claimed this accolade for his all round performance on the day was Ben McLean.

Next Saturday, November 22nd, EK play Lenzie for what will be both an Arnold Clark SRU West Region League Division 1 and an SRU National Shield encounter, so all to play for! The kick off will be at 1.30 p.m. EK has performed better recently, but this improvement will have to be consolidated if they are to win this one. What is needed is belief in themselves, determination, calmness and concentration to ensure that the mistakes that have dogged their performances during the season to date are eliminated.