Last Saturday the 2023-2024 league season started with perfect playing conditions, dry underfoot, glorious sunshine and a cross wind. The teams took to the field with a guard of honour formed by members of the KRFC Mini-section followed by a minutes silence for former Killie player Billy Adams.

Annan RFC were the visitors but it was the home side who kicked off and secured the ball with Connor Turnbull opting to kick and chase with Annan fielding and kicking upfield. The Kilmarnock backline mounted an attack but knocked on giving the first scrum to the visitors on their twenty two line. The Kilmarnock pack stole the put in and number eight Ross Murray picked up and broke through the backline passing to flanker Craig Sheppard who opened the scoring with a try after three minutes of play. Ethan MacIsaac missed the conversion from midfield. Score 5-0.

Annan restarted with Killie knocking on and from the scrum Annan kept possession and forced their way into the home side territory courtesy of two penalties for offside. Annan appeared to have scored a try from a tap and go but were penalised. Kilmarnock cleared to touch with Ross Murray winning the lineout and linking with Morton Sinclair followed by a kick to touch. Annan attacked through midfield short runners and won a lineout on the Killie twenty two which was stolen by Ross Murray and a penalty given to the home side. Ethan MacIsaac failed to find touch and Annan cleared with a kick for a lineout on the Kilmarnock ten metre line. Kilmarnock crucially lost their lineout and Annan broke upfield and despite a fumbled pass scored close to the touchline. No conversion and scoreline read 5-5 after fifteen minutes.

The cross wind skewed more in Kilmarnock’s favour as both teams shared possession and a high tackle gave Kilmarnock a penalty on the half hour which Ethan MacIsaac converted to give Kilmarnock an 8-5 lead. Annan countered from the restart as Ethan MacIsaac fielded a ball and launched a miss kicked Gary Owen with the backline begging for the ball. Annan kicked to touch and won the Killie lineout, out to the backline with some slick handling and a try was scored with no conversion. Annan ahead 10-8.

Kilmarnock tried in vain to attack but were hampered by errors and a well organised Annan defence. After a good attack by winger Ian Kerr who broke through three tackles the visitors pressured the home side and in the dying moments of the first half stole a home lineout and shipped the ball out the backline with their stand-off passing to the right winger who cut inside to score a converted try. Annan ahead 17-8.

At this stage the writing appeared to be on the wall however Kilmarnock improved their play in the second half with Craig Sheppard and Robbie Colman making an impact with forward rushes and attacking back pay. Kilmarnock forced their way into the Annan twenty two but lost a lineout and the Annan clearance kick gained sixty metres to ease the pressure. The Killie throw in was squint and from the scrum Annan kicked to touch and were penalised for pulling down a man in the lineout. The tap and go saw the towering Kieran Pattie make ground and win another penalty for a high tackle. The kick to touch was made but the lineout was lost and a scrum given to Annan with a penalty to follow. Annan opted for a scrum and from the push their number eight picked up and drove with support from the back row and a converted try was scored. 22-8 after fifteen minutes of the second half.

Kilmarnock substitutes Scott McDowall and John Brown replaced Ian Kerr and John Limond and from the restart Victor Murray secured the ball and attacked with Connor Turnbull breaking and forcing a lineout in the Annan twenty two. The ball was moved along the backline and although slow to the breakdown Morton Sinclair passed to Craig Sheppard then Craig McWhirter onto Jonathan Goodlet who found Connor Turnbull who jinked between the posts for a try converted by Ethan MacIsaac.A glimmer of hope at 24-15 midway through the half.

Ryan Andrews substituted Ewan Callaghan and the Kilmarnock front row was reorganised. Connor Turnbull was soon on the deck suffering from cramp and was soon replaced. Annan lost their scrum half through injury and it was the visitors who benefitted from a squint put in and won a penalty. A quick tap and go caught the home side knapping and the Annan stand-off slipped through for a converted try. 31-15 the scoreline.

Kilmarnock showed promise from the restart winning the ball and a kick ahead by Craig McWhirter was fielded on the Annan twenty two line and six passes later Annan score a brilliant try which was converted to make the score 38-15 after half an hour.

With hope of victory lost Kilmarnock rallied to salvage some pride and Robbie Paxton was clattered in midfield with Ryan Andrews feeding Chris Milligan who was bundled into touch. Annan won a lineout then a scrum and given a penalty but the following throw in wasn’t straight. Kilmarnock found a second breath from somewhere and moved into Annan territory. A yellow card for a misdemeanour on the deck and Annan were penalised. Ryan Andrews took a tap and go, Craig Sheppard fed Victor Murray in turn to Robbie Colman who was short of the line, the ball fell to Ross Murray who went over for a well-deserved try. Ethan MacIsaac converted 38-22 with a few minutes remaining.

Ryan Andrews fielded the restart kick and broke blind with Ethan MacIsaac almost breaking clear but was bundled into touch. The referee gave a scrum to Annan and they then won a penalty. From their lineout Kilmarnock won the ball and a scrum on their twenty two. Ross Murray picked up at the base and fed Robbie Colman who made a forty metre break, Ryan Andrews was first to the breakdown, Ethan MacIsaac fed Chris Milligan in turn to John Brown who passed to Kieran Pattie who was ushered into touch in the final play of the game. Annan took the spoils to cheers of delight, a well drilled, cohesive and fit side worthy winners 38-22.

The ritual of the post mortem huddle was led by Craig Sheppard who along with coach Stuart Pratt highlighted the need for more commitment at training to increase skills and fitness. It will be a difficult season with better opposition to face. Ryan Andrews said we need to know how to lose, take it on the chin and bounce back.