Oban Lorne (OL) opened the scoring 2 minutes into the game when East Kilbride (EK) conceded a penalty that gave their opposition the option to kick for touch and secure the ball close to the EK line. The conversion gave the visitors a 7 point lead that was further extended 9 minutes later when OL latched on to a spilled EK pass to run in a second, converted try. 0-14 down with less than 15 minutes played EK needed to get back into the match. This was partially achieved when Roddy Beaton touched down on 15 minutes into the half. Calum (Bertie) Blackwood's conversion brought EK nearer to the OL total but this was nullified in part when OL scored their third try; unconverted this time. The half, however, was not over. A second Roddy Beaton try, unconverted this time, made the half-time score EK 12, OL 19.

OL increased their lead 14 minutes into the second half with a converted try. This brought about a fight back from EK as Ben McLean added his name to the score sheet with tries 15 and 29 minutes into the half. Both were converted by Calum (Bert) Blackwood so, with less than 15 minutes of normal time left the scores were level and it was anybody's game with a draw being a real possibility. With EK on the attack they were awarded a penalty in an eminently kickable position. This was, however, reversed following an act of foul play which led to Andy (Duck) MacDonald receiving a yellow card and OL using the ball with great effect to run in a try which, following a successful conversion, gave them a 7 point lead with only a few minutes of time added on remaining. When EK conceded another penalty on their own 10 metre line OL decided to kick for goal. EK players, coaches and supporters held their breath as successful conversion of this penalty would have denied EK a losing bonus, and so it was that there was a massive sigh of relief as the kick went wide of the mark. There was, however, time for EK to kick off but, with the final infringement of the match, the referee blew his whistle to end proceedings.

This was not a good result for EK, though the two bonus points collected are very welcome. It was, also, an ill-tempered affair with minor skirmishes marring the game and leading to EK having two players dispatched to the bin. EK's indiscipline, from the concession of the early penalty that gave OL their opening score to the yellow cards, particularly the second, cost them the game. EK player of the match? Ben McLean and Roddy Beaton with two tries each and sound all-round performances both made good claims as did the continually improving Caleb Welch. Coach Allan Steel's "EK Player of the Match", is Dino Morrison whose robust performances on th e right wing have won him the respect of coaches, team-mates and supporters.

Next Saturday (3rd October), Annan will be the visitors to Torrance House. As fellow strugglers in SRU Arnold Clark West Division 1 they too will be looking to turn their fortunes around, so EK will need to be at full strength and well prepared for this encounter. The game will kick off at 2 p.m.