It was “Ladies Day “ last Saturday however the main attraction was the TENNENT'S MEN'S WEST LEAGUE DIVISION 1 match between a somewhat depleted Kilmarnock side who travelled to Greenlaw to face the strongly fancied Stewartry side and despite dogged resistance at times were overwhelmed by the home side losing 43-10.

Stewartry RFC would like to thank Stuart Muirhead of Muirhead Plant Hire who sponsored the Match Ball in memory of Adam Gray. Conditions were perfect with sunshine and a light breeze in Kilmarnock’s favour as they kicked off with Stewartry retaining possession in the opening few minutes. Kilmarnock got their first touch of the ball following a penalty by the home side. Scott Brown at stand-off kicked to touch with Kilmarnock winning their lineout then an upfield kick found touch and the home team took a quick throw in and moved the ball wide. Stewartry opted to run the ball wide at every opportunity and the constant pressure paid dividends with a break in midfield and three passes for the opening unconverted try after twelve minutes. 5-0 to the home side.

The pressure continued and a pick up by Stewartry’s number eight saw him power thirty metres with an easy pass to his scrum half for a try beneath the posts. Simple conversion 12-0 midway through the half.

Kilmarnock won a penalty from the restart with Caig McWhirter missing the kick from thirty five metres out. From the drop out twenty two Sam Diamond set up and attack linking with Sean McCafferty and Craig Sheppard who then kicked upfield. Stewartry released their backs with Jordan Duncan tackling and forcing a knock on.The scrum was won but Kilmarnock conceded two penalties in quick succession and the second tap and go was knocked on. Kilmarnock won their scrum again but kicked possession away, the home side returned the kick with Ryan Andrews in turn kicking to the opposition and with one pass from the stand off the right winger set off on a fifty metre run to score the third try. No conversion 17-0 after half an hour.

Scott Brown took the restart kick and from their attack Stewarty were penalised for handling on the deck. The kick to touch gave Kilmarnock a lineout which was won by Sam Diamond and the drive was followed by a penalty to the visitors. The catch and drive was repeated and a break up the blindside saw Taylor McHarg taking the ball and crashing over for Kilmarnock’s first score of the day in the corner. No conversion the margin reduced to 17-5. A glimmer of hope for Kilmarnock through forward play with five minutes left of the half.

Adam Roy collected the restart kick and from the ruck Craig Sheppard was isolated, dispossessed and the Stewartry backline moved into action. David Smith made a telling tackle followed by a lineout and his clearing kick was charged down forcing another Stewartry lineout. Sam Diamond was hoisted and palmed the ball for the half backs to mount an attack, Diamond kept up the attack passing to Ethan MacIsaac back to the half backs and then to Jordan Duncan and despite a foot or two in touch passed to Sam Diamond who ran in for Kilmarnock’s second try.
Craig McWhirter missed from out wide on the stroke of half time. Stewartry in the lead 17-10.

The teams turned around and fortune favoured the home team with the wind behind them after they fielded a clearance kick, moved the ball to their speeding right winger who scored within a minute. No conversion 22-10.

Five minutes later the home side released their backline and their full back ran forty metres for a converted try. 27-10 and all hopes of a comeback truly quenched.

Stuart Docherty replaced Ewan Callaghan in the front row and from the restart the Kilmarnock forwards turned over possession, Jordan Duncan kicked ahead and was clearly taken out with the referee claiming he was unsighted. Kilmarnock won the resulting scrum with Chris Milligan unable to hold a pass and set up another attack moments later. Craig McWhirter kicked into the Stewartry twenty two which was marked by the fullback, the referee signalled for a scrum then realised it was a mark and the home side took a tap and go followed by a kick ahead, Connor Turnbull turned on his heels but was turned over and the Stewartry inside centre raced goalwards, his overhead pass was nearly intercepted but collected by the stand-off to score under the posts. The conversion increased the score 36-10 after ten minutes of the half.

Morton Sinclair replaced the injured Ethan MacIsaac. The Stewartry players appeared quicker, fitter and more alert however for the remainder of the half the game was played mostly in the Stewartry half. Kilmarnock mounted a number of attacks but were thwarted by a defiant Stewartry defence with the home team perhaps taking their foot off the gas. A breakaway saw the Stewartry Man of the Match inside centre carve through the Killie defence for a solo try below the posts, simple convesion 43-10.

In the closing minutes Kilmarnock never gave up in attack but were unable to break the Stewartry line in search of salvaging a bonus try point. Final score 43-10.

Coach Stuart Pratt was in praise of his charges highlighting that Stewartry exploited Kilmarnock’s weakness by moving the ball wide and not relishing the forward confrontation. He could not fault the effort made against a very well organised side. With the hardest game of the seaon over he told his troops to be proud and looked forward to the game against Annan next week.