East Kilbride (EK) travelled to the Dalziel Park, home of Dalziel RFC, on a dull windy day. The forecast was for rain later and, on this occasion, the forecasters did not get it wrong. The game had hardly reached half time when the rain started to lash across the field, and this continued through to the blowing of the final whistle.

EK started brightly but it was the local team that was first to draw blood when they broke up field to score an unconverted try. EK were not phased by this early setback and continued to attack, but a combination of handling errors and stout defence by Dalziel kept them at bay for 35 minutes. EK came close to scoring when Evan Martin broke away from inside his own 22 to take the play to within 5 metres of the Dalziel line. EK attacked from there and the deadlock was broken as Juan Lee Hodgkinson crossed the home line for an unconverted try.

With the scores level at 5 apiece EK turned around to the elements. EK's second try came as a result of a forward onslaught on the home line with Ben McLean claiming the touchdown. A score that was loudly acclaimed by father, Gary and mother, Sheila! The men in black and yellow edged further into the lead when a loose ball was hacked along the ground from their own half of the field for Grant Dryburgh to touch down what, in the pro game, would have had the ref seeking a TMO review. This, of course, is not possible in the SRU League West Division and the try was awarded without delay. EK's fourth, the bonus point try, came 10 minutes later when Craig McKenzie ran clear for a score converted by Grant Dryburgh. Dalziel claimed one further score, a converted try before EK wrapped up the business of the day with tries from Alex Irvine, converted by Grant Dryburgh and Craig Ferguson.

With the Christmas and New Year break just around the corner this was a very welcome win in a league season that did not start well for EK. Playing into the wind and rain in the second period they put on a performance that was straight out of the top drawer scoring five tries during this period. Evan Martin, on the left wing, made two dazzling breaks, one in each half, before, cold and shivering, he was forced to retire from the field. We wish him well and hope that he recovers quickly. Thankfully for EK some players are reluctant to hang up their boots. Chris (Thunders) McLellan continues to put in a shift Saturday after Saturday, Craig Ferguson has returned to the fold after a long absence and Mark (Sparky) Ellison did not, as announced towards the end of last season, retire from playing. As the game was drawing to a close Ian Brown made a very welcome return to the field. A prolific scorer of tries in past years his presence will inspire younger players as their game develops. Coach, Alan Steel's nominee for EK player of the match is Juan Lee Hodgkinson who, once again, had an outstanding game in both attack, where he carried very effectively to put pressure on the opposition, and defence, where he made some crunching tackles at crucial times, and, to cap it all, scored the opening try.

The SRU leagues West Division 1 will take a break for Christmas and New Year - time for players to recover from niggling injuries and to work on their overall fitness. 2026 opens with a home game against near rivals Strathaven on January 10th. Strathaven are at the top of the division at the moment so this will be a tough one for EK. After that January fixtures see them travel to Cumnock, host Annan, and make to long journey to Oban. Wins early in the New Year will do much to see the EK team move up the division.