Another helpful run out for EK v Strathaven

EK in the form of a 2nd XV (of sorts) hosted Strathaven tonight for a pre-season training match, 4 x 20 minutes. The most memorable aspect of the evening was the plethora of midgies that attacked the spectators.

One of the EK players asked me to write “something nice” about the match. I could say “done it” but I won’t.

It is still early in the preparation stage, and there was one good EK move that was worth turning up for alone – in the final minutes, EK put the ball out the backs with good running and quick transfers, including a loop by Bert, which just failed to earn a try. But it led to EK’s 4th try, by speedy Scott Aitken, converted superbly by Bert.

This meant EK won 26-0, through 4 tries and 3 conversions. There was a lack of cohesion in some of EK’s play. Individuals made some good contributions but the sum of the parts was not what it should have been.

Aspects for the coaches to work on include multiple lost ball in contact, poor ball presentation in contact, a need for better angles of entry at rucks and mauls, far too much one handed running with ball (literally) in hand, too many voices but no direction on the pitch and better alignment in the backs both in attack and defence.

So these comments may count as positive or at least constructive (eh, Thunders?). We still have 2 weeks before the first competitive (Cup) match of the season so let’s hope for further growth and development.

For the record, tries were scored by David (I got a yellow card) Cowie, Ally Dal, Sandy Bruce and Scott Aitken with Bert kicking 3 conversions.