Kilmarnock continued their winning run after a close encounter against visitors East Kilbride at Bellsland last Saturday by the narrowest of margins 19-18.

Kilmarnock kicked off into a slight breeze and the ball failed to cross the ten metre line giving East Kilbride the first put in of the day. The number eight picked up from the base of the scrum but knocked forward and the loose ball was shipped to Jamie Shedden who made ground backed up by Niall Murphy then a backline break by Andy Ferguson and a kick and chase by fullback Robbie Colman. East Kilbride kicked upfield and again Shedden broke feeding Colman and Ferguson who gained 45metres but conceded a penalty at the ruck. The kick to touch gave EK the first lineout but was knocked on to give the home side a scrum.

Kilmarnock won the strike and the ball was passes swiftly along the backline, up popped Jordan Duncan whose timely pass to right winger Chris Milligan allowed him to race 35 metres and round the fullback to score the opening try.

Craig McWhirter converted 7-0 to Kilmarnock with four minutes played.

Kilmarnock fielded the restart ball and released their potent backline however a knock on gave EK a scrum on the Kilmarnock 10metre line.

The heavier EK pack dominated the scrum and after a retake the number eight broke which led to three phases of attack with runners in midfield gaining territory. EK forced their way into the Kilmarnock twenty two and a steal by Kilmarnock’s Adam Roy ended with a knock on. From the scrum the heavy EK pack readily won possession and from the drive a pick up by the blindside flanker to the stand-off realised a try. With a failed conversion it was 7-5 after eleven minutes.

From the restart EK moved the ball and kicked upfield with Robbie Colman attacking and linking with forwards Niall Murphy and Connor Mackie. More action from Sam Diamond and Ryan Andrews then a knock on to give a scrum to the opposition. The EK stand-off dropped the ball and fly hacked ahead and Robbie Colman in his gliding action gained ground and kicked upfield. EK returned the kick and captain Ryan Andrews made a telling break linking with hooker Jordan Duncan passing to David Smith who kicked for touch. Kilmarnock turned over possession from the lineout and moved the ball but a looping pass by Stewart Lauder to Ryan Andrews in the clear was adjudged forward. EK from a pick up and strong run from a second row forward then linked to their backline, Stuart McFadzean deadly in the tackle forced a knock on. Kilmarnock’s was scrum under pressure, the ball was moved but Kilmarnock were penalised for crossing. The tap penalty was taken and a needless high tackle gave EK a penalty within range which was converted by their outside centre.

EK take the lead 8-7 midway through the half.

A line out was won by EK from the kick-off and punted into touch. Kilmarnock won their throw in and released their backline and a penalty to the home side followed. Craig McWhirter from in front of goal converted to restore the Kilmarnock lead 10-8 after 25 minutes.
Kilmarnock retained possession for the next few passages of play and won a further penalty for offside five minutes later which was converted by Craig McWhirter, 13-8.

Stuart Docherty added a few stones to the front row replacing Stewart Lauder.

Kilmarnock pressed on with a number of attacking phases, Sean McCafferty surged ahead in midfield and passed to Niall Murphy who was penalised giving EK a relieving penalty.

The kick to touch came off a Kilmarnock head and a scrum was given to EK. The visitors gained ground and benefitted from a dropped pass and looked to certain to score but were pulled back for a head injury to Ryan Andrews who was prostrate on the ground.

Andrews was replaced by Blair Wilson and EK were given a scrum. Kilmarnock under the cosh failed to rebuff the number eight who slipped a pass to his scrum half in turn to a forward runner who went over for a try. The conversion was missed, score line 13-13.

In the process Sam Diamond retired with a leg injury and was replaced by Morton Sinclair.

Two more phases and it was half time, all square and everything to play for.

Ryan Andrews returned to the play and EK kicked off into the still present breeze and it was Kilmarnock who had most of the ball in the opening minutes, an infringement gave Kilmarnock a penalty and from 24metres Craig McWhirter slotted another kick 16-13.

The Kilmarnock lead was short lived, a penalty was won at the restart and EK kicked to the corner, the catch and drive saw EK’s bulky number eight replacement fall short of the goal line and gain a penalty. The penalty kick at goal was declined and another kick to the corner followed. The ball was secured passed to the scrum half to a short distance runner and over for a try. The conversion rebounded off the upright giving EK the lead 18-16 seven minutes into the half.

The encounter became more intense with lineout throw ins from both sides going astray and penalties being conceded. A Kilmarnock turnover saw Ryan Andrews with the ball and he kicked to touch and was thumped late by a minute or so. No yellow card for the offender but the option of a penalty where the ball alighted. Kilmarnock lost their lineout, EK then won a penalty and kicked for touch into the Kilmarnock 22. The ball was knocked on and a handbag throwing incident ended with a scrum to the home side. The scrum was won, out the backline and Jamie Shedden kicked long upfield, the same player hit the opposition, Kilmarnock turned over the ball and released Ryan Andrews who was stopped in his tracks and a penalty awarded to Kilmarnock.

Craig McWhirter stepped up with the crowd holding its breath… the diagonal kick was good from 28metres to restore the Kilmarnock lead 19-18 with twenty plus minutes remaining.

Stewart Lauder returned to the fray replacing Stuart Docherty as the game went into overdrive.

Kilmarnock attacked from the restart with McCafferty absorbing a thumping tackle but retaining possession allowing David Smith to kick upfield and a knock on sparked a loud roar as the EK defender knocked on. EK responded by stealing the scrum and winning a penalty in turn.
The game was to and froe with errors from both sides such was the tension.

Stuart McFadzean and Connor Mackie were substituted by Dave McLeod and Stuart Docherty when Kilmarnock had a scrum deep in the opposition 22 area. The ball was won but a dropped pass gave EK a scrum, they tried to break out of defence and were turned over, Connor Mackie then David Smith were both held up short of the line, Dave McLeod dropped the ball but it went backwards and Jordan Duncan forged ahead with Robbie Colman on tow short of the line.

From the next scrum Kilmarnock moved the ball up the blindside and winger Chris Milligan was clattered into touch just short of the line. EK won the lineout and drove out of danger. The referee blew for what the crowd thought was full time to howls of derision and cheers of victory then awarded a penalty to East Kilbride. Connor Mackie resumed for the injured Stuart Docherty. A further penalty was won by EK at the lineout, too far out to tap and go the kick to touch landed on the half way line.

EK won the lineout and knocked on to end the game leaving Kilmarnock the victors. 19-18.

Captain Ryan Andrews opened the huddle with words of praise for his team mates, adding “Bellsland is a fortress”. Coach Stuart Pratt said he was happier than last week, “good performance” and Paul Meehan calmly said that the team is strong, “East Kilbride, job done this week next game Allan Glen’s.”
Sam Diamond added the full stop “we’re top of the league, never give up, fight for all.”

My man of the match Craig McWhirter with four penalties and a conversion 14 points, 100% record.

President David Lauder was quite ecstatic in his own way and the crowd and players headed to the clubhouse where an extensive raffle was held in celebration, along with some cordials.

The victory sees the Kilmarnock side top of the division by a clear two points above second team Allan Glen’s who have two games in hand.
This coming Saturday the Kilmarnock 1st and 2ndXVs travel to Bishopbriggs to face Glen’s in what will be another close encounter for both teams.

Kick-offs 2.00pm a large travelling support would be appreciated.

Bill Barnaby
07719-567-401