This was a crucial game for both sides. For the winner there was the possibility of escape from a relegation position in the SRU Arnold Clark West Region League Division 1. For the loser, bottom spot. And so it was that players, coaches and supporters travelled to Cumnock in anticipation of a keenly contested affair. To suggest, as the scoreline does, that it was not, would be an injustice to a Cumnock side that did not give in easily.

East Kilbride (EK) kicked off and were soon on the attack. The scrum looked strong as Cumnock were put into reverse gear on the EK put in and under great pressure on their own where their no. 8 must be given great credit for the work he did in cleaning up at the base. While EK dominated possession and territory during the opening stages they had to wait 25 minutes before they troubled the scorers. Having chosen to take a scrum when awarded a penalty in front of the posts and failed to come away with a try they did not repeat this mistake when awarded a penalty in a similar position. Grant Dryburgh slotted the kick to give EK an early, if slender, lead. EK continued to attack and were unlucky not to score when Alastair MacKinnon crossed the line but was held up. The score did come 30 minutes into the half and this time it was Evan Martin who made absolutely certain as he touched down very firmly. Grant Dryburgh added the points, a remarkable touch line conversion, as EK sought to extend their lead to provide a cushion before going into the second period. This lead was extended as Alastair MacKinnon and Ross McKeown both touched down between the posts giving Grant Dryburgh a couple of straightforward conversions. At this point one has to ask "has EK done enough to secure the result?". As it was, with the game in time added on the home side went on the attack and claimed 7 points with a converted try in the right corner.

Ten minutes into the second half Evan Martin claimed his second try, converted by Grant Dryburgh, to extend the EK lead. EK continued to dominate the scrum until the Cumnock pack lost one of their props to a yellow card and scrums became uncontested. Cumnock put on a spirited performance during the middle period of the second half and, despite having lost a second forward to a yellow card, put some pressure on the EK line. EK's defence held firm and though Cumnock crossed the line twice solid defensive work by EK meant that they were denied the crucial touch down. With time running out EK put the result beyond doubt with tries from Juan Lee Hodgkinson, converted by Calum Blackwood, and Alastair MacKinnon, converted by Grant Dryburgh.

This victory moved EK up to 7th in the division as they leapfrogged both Annan and Greenock Wanderers, but there is till much to be done if they are to sustain or improve upon this position. The team has been bolstered by the return to the fray of older players namely Calum (Bertie) Blackwood, Gareth Jones, and Craig James Ferguson. These, and the more mature members of the squad including Mark Ellison, Chris (Thunders) McLellan and Alex (Ginge) Irvine have a big role to play not only on the field but also off it by supporting and encouraging the youthful contingent such as Logan Cairney-Paul and Matthew McGill, as well as others who did not feature in this match. EK player of the match? Grant Dryburgh did not go without a mention and Evan Martin looked very sharp in scoring two tries and missing out on a couple more when the final pass that would have seen him clear was judged forward, but the EK Player of the Match for his tireless efforts in attack and defence and scorer of two tries is Alastair MacKinnon.

This victory was crucial and EK still have much to do to secure a firm foothold in this division. A home fixture against Annan on this coming Saturday (24th January) and an away fixture against Oban Lorne on the following Saturday provide ideal opportunities for the team in black and yellow to move themselves into a more secure position. Hard work in training and the continued support on the touchlines are what is needed for the momentum of recent matches to be sustained.