With no league game due to the withdrawal of Stewartry, Kilmarnock U18s welcomed Whitecraigs U18s to Bellsland on Saturday, for an arranged friendly.

With an almost full team to select from, Kilmarnock received the kick off and were put under some early pressure. Cameron Cottrell, playing his first game at full back, showed some early nerves. Picking up a long kick off that was heading out on the full, he managed to pass to Max Neill, who under pressure, found touch from inside his own dead ball area. The early pressure form Whitecraigs had Kilmarnock on the back foot, and they soon found themselves behind following a fine pick up and run from the back of the scrum to score a converted try.

The young team gathered themselves however and took the game to the visitors from kick off. A forward pack that had been off pace on their previous games, suddenly came to life, with Allan Brodie, Josh Provan, Luke McCready and Harrison Gillies carrying well into contact, supported by Murray Imrie. Andrew Bryson, Callum Howe and Sami Duran, who were always up in support and looking to take on the second phase carry.

Following some fine forward play, Killie were awarded a penalty on Whitecraigs 10m line. A quick tap and go from Max Neill, was passed to Frazer Sands, who with fine footwork and vision danced his way through the visitors defence before popping into the grateful hands of Harrison Gillies, running a great hard line in support to crash through and score. Max Neill converting from out wide on the touch line.

Killie were now putting on the pressure, and from a good press, forced a mistake from the Whitecraigs back line, with the ball hacked through and touched down under the posts by Cullan Urquhart who reacted the quickest to chase through in support. Max Neill converting.

Killies third try was from another fine bit of work by the forwards at the breakdown. Andrew Bryson picking and driving from the 5m line before being stopped just short. Ben McKellar making his competitive comeback at scrum half, saw a glimpse of the line and was also driven back, before Adam Khwada, who came on as a replacement for Murray Imrie in the front row, picked up and crashed through for his first try on return to the club, against his previous teams mates. Max Neill again kicking the conversion from out wide.

The final score in the first half came from another fine piece of forward play, with the ball coming out the line to Max Cardoo, who was also making a return to the team. Max took the ball at speed and attacking the gap in defence to race through, rounded the fullback and scored in the corner. Max Neill missing the conversion out wide to finish the half 26-7.

The second half started in a similar fashion, and from another forced mistake from the Whitecraigs backline from Kilmarnock pressure, Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Cruz da Fonte scooped the ball up to race through a wide gap in the visitors backline, outpaced the full back who did will to make his tackle, but didn’t stop Ricky scoring. Max Neil converting.

Whitecraigs continued to battle, and fought their way back into the game with two further tries in the second half, however it was too much of a gap and Kilmarnock held on for the win.

This was a much improved performance around the park, with a forward pack that was full of running and showed plenty of physicality that had been missing in previous games. While the scums were also competitive, a huge credit to Callum Home who was instrumental in turning over 3 scrums. Behind every good pack though is an impressive and industrious back line, with man of the match Frazer Sands not only dangerous in attack, but also putting in a fine defensive performance with a number of dominant tackles.

Thanks to Whitecraigs for the late arranged friendly game and look forward to a return match.

Today’s try scorers were Harrison Gilles, Cullan Urquhart, Adam Khwada, Max Cardoo and Ricky Cruz da Fonte. Max Neill converting 4/5 tries.