Your ace match reporter was on double time (double x nothing) on Saturday covering the 2nd XV match after the trauma of the 1sts narrow defeat to Orkney.The visiting opposition were Shawlands, aided by a few CQP players.

Continuing their excessive confidence on their ability, the 2nds decided for the 2nd match in a row that they need only 13 players, albeit one other joined them after 30 minutes – how long does it take to pull your shorts on Greeners? Shawlands seemed to have hunners………!

The Executive Committee of the Club are worried – 50% of them took the field, in the form of President Hagerty and Vice President Reekie. Messrs MacDonald and Blackwood are rumoured to be burning their boots – no way are we going to be coaxed on to the field.

The EK formation was a tad unusual. The average age of the EK pack was about 50 (sorry Messrs Quigg & Beaton) while the EK backs had young Stott, fresh from the 1st XV match. Coach Steel was at stand off, with lock Paul Rosie wandering about in any position he felt like.

Amazingly, it all worked as, despite the numerical disadvantage, EK took the lead through Ross Campbell (I think) and later added to the lead through a Steel penalty. 8-0. Coach Steel clearly fancied himself as a twinkle toed stand off and enjoyed taking every possible kick.

Such was the inter-changability of the EK skills that forwards and backs swopped positions regularly – lack of oxygen may have been a factor – and all put in a series of punishing tackles, none more so than Paul Rosie who regularly rearranged the shape of a few Shawlands’ bodies throughout the match.

Shawlands pulled one try back after 70 minutes but man mountain, and Man of the Match by a country mile, Paul Rosie, claimed the final score with a short range breenge for an unconverted try to make it 13-5 for EK at the end.

It was a good tempered match, with a decent number of supporters left over from the earlier 1st XV match coming out to enjoy the spectacle.

Man of the Match: only one choice, despite what Mr Steel might think. Paul Rosie! Let’s hope that knee is okay for Friday at GHK.

Next week: the 2s have a league match at home against GHA Gazelles next week, 3pm kick off. This match will overlap with the social match v our French twin club Club Olympique Chalonnais, so it promises to be an interesting afternoon. Allez EK!