The Penguins travelled down the M74 to take on Annan in the first league game of 2023. The pitch was very soft from the word go but Killie settled in well and playing into the wind and up the slope. Both teams started well with Annan using the wind and slope to their advantage when they had possession. Killie began to take control with some good driving play and it was no surprise when the forwards won good ball in the Annan 22 they quickly move the ball along the line for winger Robert Hill to score wide out on the right. The difficult conversion was knocked over via the crossbar to give Killie a 7 point lead after 13 minutes. Annan continued to use the wind to their advantage but again Killie worked their way up the field and scored a well worked try by Blair McMillan the conversion was missed but Killie had a 12 point lead after 20 minutes of play. The next 10 minutes were fairly even Killie attacking and Annan clearing their lines at every opportunity and on the 30 minute mark Annan took their opportunity to score a try to the right of post conversion was successful and Killie's lead was cut to 7 points to 12.
This spurred Killie on and on the 36th minute Steph Stewart burst through the Annan defense to score a try again conversion missed into the wind. Killie's tails were now up and were eager to add to their lead and on the stroke of halftime Andy Sloan crossed to end the first half scoring, Kiliie leading by 22 points to 7.
With the wind at their backs now, Killie immediately took the game to Annan and with only 1 minute of the 2nd half gone Blair McMillan crossed after some good handling by both forwards and backs, the conversion was missed but Killie extended their lead to 27 point to 7. Killie continued to press and it was no surprise the stand off Ally McWhirter scored under the posts and knocked the conversion over to extend the lead 34 points to 7 after 50 minutes. Annan didn't give up and made a few visits into the Killie half, any mistake was punish by the Killie backs knocking the ball in behind the advancing defenders. Another 9 minutes passed before Killie struck again Blair McMillan completing his hattrick of tries, McWhirter converted 41 points to 7 with 61 minutes on the clock. On the 70th minute Killie struck again and it was that man McWhirter who was on hand to take the scoring pass, the conversion was good Killie extending their lead to 48 point to 7. Annan to their credit never gave up and manage to cross the whitewash right on the final whistle the conversion was missed and the referee blew for no side leaving Killie comfortable winners by 48 point to 12.
There was a few contenders for man of the match but the coaches awarded it to Robert Hill for his hard work in both attack and defense. DoD went to Blair McMillan for butchering a simple 2 v 1 which would have moved Killie over the 50 point mark.
Killie now top the league after the first half of the season remaining undefeated, and with only 5 fixtures to go they are in poll position.