EK scratch XV did their best to defy the odds

Manager (and player) Michael Reekie has officially been declared bald after pulling all his hair out this week, trying to round up fifteen players for the 2nds league match at Kilmarnock.

Now one might think that a 20 minute journey to Killie is not bad for an away fixture, but not for the gentle egos of the EK 2nds. All sorts of EK players declare themselves unavailable when they might have to travel but miraculously are always available for home games (N. B. there were some genuine reasons amongst some of the call offs).

Some of them are so precious that they get upset if they are not selected, even if they have not been to training!!

It seems to me (not having consulted anyone else in compiling this report) that it is time to pick the grafters and youngsters who come training regularly, and to leave the "fancy dans" on the bench to mull over their commitment and inspect their egos, regardless of their playing ability.

All credit is due to Mr Reekie for scouring the west of scotland to round up 15 players. I believe we could not stretch to having a benchful of replacements (actually we had the very precise total of "none"), which is sad, particularly for any of the brave 15 who may have been injured and actually should have been replaced.

Well done to the 15 who agreed to turn up and do their best. I have no details of the match at this point (not sure that I want them) but particular congratulations to whoever scored the EK try. Late news: it was scored by that old stager, never say die Dean Marriott (who could not run across the road on Friday night without limping, whether before or after his curry, so insiders have informed me).

Dean will be happy - he has not scored for a while, and could not buy a place in the 2nds in the last few weeks. Will he be rewarded for his endeavours in the coming weeks.....? Answers on a postage stamp please to Michael Reekie......

With the 1st XV having played dismally (did it actually get as good as this, me wonders?), everyone in the club needs to consider their commitment and what they are going to contribute to helping the club regroup.

All is not lost - we are in a transition year but some players do need to ponder on their commitment to the cause. We do have a good bunch of youngsters coming through. Patience is clearly a necessity, as we need to make sure we don't try to bring them on too quickly, but application and effort has to be a minimum contribution.

I don't want anyone to think I am querying the commitment of the 2nds after turning out today in the face of adversity. Thank you! Michael - don't despair: it has to get easier... We have been through this situation a number of times but not perhaps with such a small playing pool.