With last Saturday’s league encounter with Garnock having succumbed to the weather this week’s game in the SRU West Regional Shield against Cumnock was the first competitive game of the season – not, of course, that warm up matches against Whitecraigs and Linlithgow were not played in a competitive spirit. Having beaten Cumnock twice in league competition during the previous season EK might have been forgiven for thinking that today’s encounter could have been something of a stroll in the park. Cumnock were clearly of a mind to disavow them of this notion.
Cumnock kicked off to an EK team intent upon playing open, running rugby but as the home side failed to get clear of their own half and ceded possession during the opening five minutes of the game it was the visitors that struck first with an unconverted try. EK responded quickly. Gary Thornton broke and after some slick passing Mark Ellison completed the move by touching down between the sticks giving Grant Dryburgh and easy conversion. Grant Dryburgh continued to accumulate points for the club and his personal tally with tries, converted by himself, in the 23rd and 26th minutes. This brought the half time score to East Kilbride 21 – Cumnock 5.
East Kilbride’s domination of game continued into the second half. Aiden Stott scored 3 tries in the 8th, 12th and 19th minute of the half, Gary Thornton crossed the line in 16th minute of the half and Stuart Henderson scored as the game drew to a close. Grant Dryburgh added to the total with 3 conversions. Cumnock, however, had not capitulated and took advantage of some slack defence on the part of their hosts to run in two converted tries 37 and 39 minutes into the half.
As the score indicates this was a comprehensive victory for EK and sees them into the first round of the SRU regional shield where they will meet Garnock at Torrance House on Saturday 28th September. In the meantime they must concentrate on forthcoming games in the Tennent’s West Region League Division 1. Kilmarnock, with two victories under their belt, come calling next Saturday and EK will be away to Strathendrick a week later.
Saturday’s game gave coach Allan Steel and opportunity to introduce some new blood to 1st xv rugby. Newcomers, Stuart Henderson and Gary Thornton (returning to EK) and graduates from the academy, Alistair Marriot, Matthew Smith and Matthew Brown. When things went well in attack EK produced some very attractive, open rugby with all players involved. When plans did not come off possession was lost and the initiative was handed to our visitors. The message, therefore, is that a little more concentration and composure is needed to control the game, keep possession and dominate the opposition. In terms of Saturday’s match the loss of two tries in the closing minutes of the game was not significant as it was, by that stage, won. However, to win well and do so consistently the team needs to take on a New Zealand mindset and apply the ruthlessness that sees them (the All Blacks) keep going right up until the final whistle blows.
Team: A. Marriott, C. McLellan, E. Beaton, P. Rosie, A. Irvine, J. Ford, G. Thornton and R. Beaton. M. Ellison and S. Henderson. C. Ferguson, R. Greenfield, A Stott, G. Dryburgh and M. Brown.
Replacements: R. Mason, M. Smith, A. Steel and S. Johnston.