Seven tries, three in the first half tries from Nathan Ross (2) and Roddy Beaton and four in the second half tries from George Fisher (2), Juan-Lee Hodgkinson and Lucas Aitken, five of which were converted by Lucas Aitken gave East Kilbride (EK) a perfect start to the new season in a game against a Greenock Wanderers XV (GW) which challenged the home side throughout the first half and well into the second.

The game opened well for EK with the opening try, scored by Nathan Ross, coming within the first 5 minutes of the game. GW responded with a penalty before Roddy Beaton added to the EK total 5 minutes later. GW brought scores closer when EK conceded a penalty that allowed the visitors to claim ball from a line-out close to the EK line and spread the ball to the right where they touched down for a try converted by their stand-off, Lachie Caroll, whose boot proved a potent weapon throughout the game. As half-time approached EK added to their score when Nathan Ross scored his second try of the afternoon and GW slotted their second penalty conversion.

With the half-time score standing at 19-13 both teams were still very much in the game. GW edged closer with their third successful penalty conversion before EK increased the gap when the EK pack drove the opposition over their line for Juan-Lee Hodgkinson to claim the touch down. This position was created by a telling George Fisher run at the end of which he was adjudged not to have touched down and a scrum was awarded to GW. George did get his name on the scoresheet with two tries, 17 and 41 minutes into the half . Lucas Aitken added to his tally for the day with a try 23 minutes into the half which, with 5 successful try conversions, gave him a total of 15 points for his afternoon endeavours. Before George Fisher claimed the final try of the day GW scored a late, unconverted, try wide on the right. With a final score of EK 45, GW 21, EK kicked off the new season with a very valuable 5 league points.

In the final analysis this was a comprehensive victory from a team bolstered in no small measure by the return of stalwarts Lucas Aitken, George Fisher, Nathan Ross, Justin Ludick and Eddie Beaton. In a game in which there were more positives than negatives three areas do need attention. The line out did not function well in the opening period, but did improve as the game progressed. Indiscipline cost EK dearly - 3 penalties were converted and GW's first try came as a result of GW using a penalty to punt the ball into touch close to the EK line. The final are that concerned was that of communication. Players need to claim the ball, especially from the kick off. Roddy Beaton had a splendid take of a kick off in the second half, but another was gifted to the opponents when three players seemed undecided about which of them would take the ball, and, as none did, a GW forward snapped it up. On the positive side the tackling was sound, handling was, in the main, good and the set scrum was dominant. This is a team that can do well in this division. All they need to do is iron out the problems and build on the good aspects of their game.

Ally Dalgleish was asked to nominate an EK player of the match. After considerable consideration he awarded the accolade to Euan MacFarlane for a combination of effective scrummaging and excellent work in the open while also heaping praise on Caleb Welch, a young hooker and a great young man to have in the squad.

Next week EK will travel to Cumbernauld where newly promoted Cumbernauld will be the opposition. As both teams have 5 league points at the moment, Cumbernauld having defeated Cambuslang, the other promoted side, there's a lot at stake, so let's get a good squad of supporters over there to cheer on the team. The kick off, as will be the case for all league games this season, will be 2 p.m.