Youngsters help 2nds achieve another good win

The 2nd XV won an important, but weather affected, match at Lenzie on Saturday, emerging overwhelming 0-40 victors against their hosts.

The weather saw the match abandoned around the 70th minute. It was a heavy pitch and ultimately heavy snow brought the match to an early conclusion. Happily, rugby's regulations allows the result to stand for any match that is abandoned after 60 minutes play so EK took five important league points for their endeavours.

EK scored six tries - my sources have got a lot to learn if they ever want to be proper match reporters. No times of scores, no details of conversions and no half time score. That Peter Hagerty is useless!! In the absence of any photograph, I have used the photo of last week's team that clearly demonstrates that the Care in the Community programme does have some successes.

A particularly satisfying element of the win was the appearance, and strong performances by, five of our recent Under 18 side. Indeed one of them is still only 17 - Paul Cairncross, albeit he is captain of Scotland's current U18 side. The others were Craig Mackenzie, Jordon Briody, Roddy Beaton and Mark Donnachie [Gregor Bamford reputedly qualifies for his pension next week].

So the side had a better balance of youth and experience than last week's veterans which had then an average age of 33, albeit there were still a few pensioners on the field this week. Johnnie Watson was his usual live wire self.

Scores were achieved by: Chris (Thunders) Mclellan, Chris (Tophie) O'Neill (2), Roddy Beaton (2) and Paul (Coco the Clown) Rosie. Mr Reliable himself, Calum (Bert) Blackwood kicked five conversions (or possibly two penalties and two conversions) - oh for a reliable match reporter. Any volunteers out there...................??

This win lifted EK up to fifth in the West League 2B table.

Man of Match: a difficult judgement considering I have no information but after reading my tea leaves, it goes to Roddy Beaton for his brace of tries. The tea leaves also told me that a possible contender for MoM was new boy, flanker Patrick Quigg, who won countless balls in the contact area - well, this is what he told me when he came to my house for dinner last night!

Patrick has never been known to be modest about his talents (particularly as a magician or comedian) so if anyone knows anything to the contrary, please ring Crimestoppers immediately. It may be that if he had a nickname, he might even have nicked the MoM award. Get the thinking caps on 2nd XV players!

Next week: matches are coming thick and fast for the 2s and next week they face league leaders Allan Glens at the Torrance House Arena. Kick off 3pm. All support welcome.

New Players - interested in trying rugby? The 2nds, like every other team in East Kilbride rugby club, are always looking for new players. There is absolutely no need to have played rugby before as demonstrated by the funny magician, Patrick Quigg. He has shown his commitment by training regularly and his enthusiasm and svelte frame once again secured him his place in the side.

There must be lots of other first timers out there who would like to give rugby a try? Just turn up at 6.30 on a Tuesday or Thursday - you will be made to feel very welcome.

Players: in no particular order (as I have no particular information!), the players included the following: Paul Cairncross, Roddy Beaton, Paul Rosie, Chris Quinn, Chris Mclellan, Chris O'Neill, Calum Blackwood, Craig Mackenzie, Mark Donnachie, Jordon Briody, Patrick Quigg, Ross Hynde, Andy MacDonald, John Watson, Gregor Bamford, Craig (Fat Fergie) Ferguson, Alex Irvine, David Bell, and Stewart Ferguson. If anyone has been missed out or misrepresented, blame Peter Hagerty!