Great away win for 2s at Dumfries (8-19)

The 2XV made the long journey down to Park Farm in determined mood with a game against Dumfries 3XV providing the opportunity to exorcise a few demons.

The frustrations of throwing away - in the last minute - the previous game to Stewartry, albeit EK had fielded a weakened side that day, had been left to simmer for 3 weeks.

Once again preparations were far from ideal, the squad were let down by 3 last minute call offs. Only the willingness of Grant Seymour to hasten his comeback from a hamstring injury provided the squad with the luxury of sufficient cover from the bench.

The starting 15 was a mishmash, but nothing new there, with some players popping up in some unusual positions. Chris Quinn, a player who has made the journey from wing to prop over his playing career, filled a spot in the second row while Calum Hastie, an under 18 prop, was at outside centre.

Despite club captain Scott Johnston taking the warm up, EK started the game lethargically and were soon under pressure as a rotund Dumfries number 8 rampaged through some soft tackles from the EK pack.

Early exits for Steven Lannon and, the late Heath Ledger lookalike, Ross Stewart further weakened the side. Seymour, normally a centre, came on at 9 and young Fraser Blackwood came on to wing with Alex Irvine switching to flanker.

Some heroic backs to the wall defending stirred EK to life and, after a long delay due a Dumfries player suffering broken ribs, the men from Torrance House began to control the game as has been the norm this season.

The pick and go quick ball that the forwards produce has caused sides problems all season and Dumfries were no exception, giving away penalty after kickable penalty. The mercurial Scott Johnston sadly did not have the best day with the boot, not a natural kicker. So with half time approaching scores were level.

But, not satisfied being all square, EK surged forward, some neat link up from Johnston and Beggans, gave Calum Hastie time and space to run at his tiny and isolated opposite number. This provided EK with the front foot ball they craved and a flowing move resulted in evergreen utility back Andrew Macdonald crossing in the left corner. Johnston missed kick, half time score 5-0 EK.

The second half continued much as most of the first half with EK camped in the Dumfries half, yet struggling to make that killer pass. Some indiscipline from the pack gave Dumfries a shot at goal and despite EK’s dominance, the value of having a trusty goalkicker meant Dumfries reduced deficit to 5-3.

Finally, some strong running from the impressive Scott Aitken broke the Dumfries defensive line, he offloaded in the tackle to the onrushing Beggans, who rode two tackles to crash over the line. Johnston converted to make it 12-3.

It was reported on the Dumfries website later that they were impressed with the sheer mass of EK’s big 10, as Scott ‘Huge’ Johnston lived up to his nickname, attracting defenders before releasing the ball to willing runners. Dumfries have however now taken out a contract with Specsavers.

EK’s third try came when Huge carried the ball right on to gain line before an inside ball for an easy run in under the posts for Chris O’Neill – rugby’s equivalent of a footballing tap in. Try converted by Johnston, score 19-3.

In the last 10 minutes, EK began to cruise towards the final whistle knowing the game was won. But stepping off the gas saw a rising error count and invited Dumfries pressure.

Right at the end came a moment of madness from hooker Dan Trampenau (well he is English, what woudl one expect!), as he foolishly took a quick lineout, gave the tiring Seymour a hospital pass which resulted in the Dumfries blindside flanker stealing in the corner for an uncoverted try.

Final score 19-8. In the end a comfortable win for EK as they climbed to summit of the league. Such work can be very tiring so the lads had a pyjama party on the return bus. Well done boys!

Team: 1) A. Donaldson 2) D. Trampenau 3) S. Aitken 4) G. Neilson 5) C. Quinn 6) S. Lannon 7) C. O’Neill 8) J. Watson 9) R. Stewart 10) S. Johnston ©(k) 11) A. Irvine 12) B. Beggans 13) . Hastie 14) D. Home 15) A. McDonald Subs – G. Seymour, J. Sinclair and F. Blackwood.