It is never easy to lose a rugby match. It is even worse when it is to the same opponents who have just pipped you twice earlier in the season.

Previous matches this year have seen a defeat for EK by two points (league) and one point (Cup) so should it be any surprise the margin was yesterday three points?

Irvine are a good side, one that has developed over the course of the season. Their first victory was lucky – EK took the wrong options and gave them a gift try at the end to snatch the victory. The second one was tighter, and a better match but Irvine deservedly snuck it overall with a late, and controversial, try.

While Irvine have developed during the season, EK have lost players. The big difference yesterday was the absence of the key ball carriers in the EK pack who are sadly all spectators at present, injured.

This in no way diminishes the efforts of the pack yesterday – they worked hard throughout - but EK’s backs need a decent supply of ball to deploy their skills – but this was absent yesterday.

It was however encouraging to see the return of Euan Perry (aka Pep) who played his first game of the season at prop for EK after a long spell out injured. Welcome back Pep.

The match was also the “official” opening of the new 1st XV pitch, following the drainage project supported by Viridor Credits Environmental Ltd and implemented by Greentech Sportsturf Ltd.

Sand slitting and Verti draining were the two main factors in the project and they have made a huge difference, along with applications of sand and fertiliser, to the pitch’s drainage.

We very much appreciate the £30,000 from Viridor and the professionalism & flexibility demonstrated from Greentech. EKRFC has itself spent some £9,000 this season on the pitch and its surroundings, with more work still to do.

Take a bow President Peter Ferrie, helper Kenny MacDonald, coach and chief digger & builder Allan Steel, and groundsman David Rosie. The pitch & spectating area looked great yesterday. Well done!

A feature of the previous matches with Irvine was the absence of any penalties for offside in the backs and back row, particularly against Irvine. Yesterday at least saw a succession of offside penalties, and even a yellow card for persistent offside by Irvine. Almost a novelty, but long overdue.

The first half saw Irvine dominate possession but ended up even with four penalties apiece with Scott Shankie [sponsored by DIY Garage] notching the EK points. Half time 12-12.

The second half continued in similar fashion – EK struggling to get position and possession, kicking when they should have run and running when they should have kicked. Irvine had more fluency and their full back had some good breaks throughout the day.

EK’s most dangerous attacker was Scott Shankie, at full back, but sadly he had too much distance to cover and too many opponents to beat when he got the ball. EK simply did not get in to the Irvine 22 area enough to threaten.

EK discipline was not at its best, but fortunately the Irvine kicker did not have his best day, missing two penalties early in the second half. But the penalty yo yo continued, with Irvine eventually gaining the winning lead of 15-18 in the 72nd minute.

This defeat leaves EK sitting fifth in the league table but we have two matches in hand (only one in hand over Irvine), due to postponements, which if won could see us climb to third.

One personal observation. The EK support, always vocal, in my view spend too much time criticising the referee at our matches for every detail.

I have rarely seen a rugby match where the referee was the reason EK lost – poor passing, poor tackling, poor discipline and limited cohesion (plus better opponents) are usually the reasons why we lose, along with, inevitably, some mistakes, often tactical.

It gets tiring to listen to a raft of analysis and criticism from spectators often some 40 to 50 metres more distant from the action than the referee. Yes, the referee just like the players makes mistakes from time to time but I think we need to cut back on the barracking and spend more time offering vocal support to our team.

I admit to having criticised a few referees in my time but I now see few benefits from berating the lone official who is doing his best. Yesterday’s ref had a pretty reasonable match (there have been many worse) and was most certainly not the reason why we lost.

So time for the EK support to lighten up. Time for a Hamlet cigar……?

Yesterday was also the EKRFC Academy’s Patrons Lunch, a key fundraiser for the junior sections in the Club. It was great to see such a good turn out – some 110 hungry souls, well fed by MasterChefs Alex Gilmour and Alan Urquhart.

We very much value the important support – financial and otherwise - we get from all Academy Patrons. It was perhaps inevitable that the match itself did not quite match the occasion. Still, an excellent day had by all.

Man of the Match: not a huge amount of choice. Lots of effort by everyone, particularly the pack. Two weeks ago many felt my choice of Scott Shankie [sponsored by DIY Garage]was a bit dubious (possibly but volunteers to write match reports and choose the MoM are always welcome!!) but there is less doubt about his selection yesterday. No one really shone, so my bias wins the day again!

Next match: EK have a free weekend next week, as Scotland play Australia in Edinburgh. So our next match, another home game, sees EK host Helensburgh – currently sitting fourth in the league table, one position and five points clear of EK - at the Torrance House Arena on Saturday 30 November, 2pm kick off.

Team: 15 Scott Shankie [sponsored by DIY Garage]; 14 Chris Mullins [sponsored by Gas Services Direct] 13 Ian Brown [sponsored by Gas Services Direct]; 12 Grant Seymour [sponsored by Key Professional Partnership]; 11 Robbie Greenfield [sponsored by First Choice Finance Scotland]; 10 Calum Blackwood [sponsored by Tinto Bar]; 9 Fraser Little [sponsored by Scobie Junior ]; 8 Craig Ferguson [sponsored by Hi Lite Electrical]; 7 Alex Irvine [sponsored by Glow at 10]; 6 Gareth Jones [sponsored by Espresso Addesso] 5 Andy Kampman; 4 Alan Creer; 3 Euan Perry; 2 Rian Anderson [sponsored by Rian Anderson Lineout Tuition Ltd]; 1 Scott Aitken [sponsored by DIY Garage]. Replacements: Graeme Blackwood [sponsored by ICA Architects Ltd]; Jason Currie; Andy MacDonald [sponsored by Warnock Plant]