KRFC vs Ardrossan

Last Saturday In a game rescheduled from the 29th November 2023 the Kilmarnock 1st XV fielded a side with nine changes in personnel and lost out 40-12 to Ardrossan Accies who in the process were crowned winners of West Region League Division 1.

Kilmarnock kicked off with a slight wind advantage with the visitors winning a penalty and kicking to touch for a lineout five metres from the Killie goal line. The catch and drive resulted in an unconverted try. 5-0 after three minutes.

Kilmarnock responded with their forwards pounding the opposition but were unable to convert possession into points. After six minutes heavyweight prop Matthew Tame sustained a leg injury and was replaced by John Brown. Ardrossan moved into Kilmarnock territory dispossessing fullback Archie Jackson and kicked for a home lineout. A knock on gave Ardrossan a scrum and the ball was neatly moved along the backline with the fullback joining the line at pace and ran through to score a converted try. 12-0 after ten minutes.

The writing was on the wall or so it appeared. Kilmarnock realised there was a game on and were inspired by number eight pick-ups from Ross Murray and searching breaks by captain Craig Sheppard. The set piece scrum was dominated by the Kilmarnock pack and once again Ross Murray broke but gave a marginal forward pass. From their scrum the Ardrossan stand-off feigned an injury as he kicked out on the full but got straight back up when awarded a penalty. Into the Kilmarnock twenty-two and a catch and drive resulted in a push over try with no conversion. 17-0 the score after twenty minutes.

Craig McWhirter’s restart kick failed to go ten metres but was knocked on in the air for a Killie scrum. A number eight pick up out to the backs with a pass to no one however Ardrossan were penalised for offside. A kick to touch and Kilmarnock won their lineout. Murray collected onto Jonathan Goodlet to Chris Milligan who fumbled but the ball was secured by Ross Murray out the backline with another penalty to Kilmarnock. The ball was taken at the front of the line and hooker Jordan Duncan buried over for an unconverted try. 17-5 in the twenty-fifth minute.

A bit of self-belief and Kilmarnock continued to attack. Second row Kieran Pattie was substituted with Graeme Duke filling the berth. From a scrum five Kilmarnock fumbled a pass which was intercepted, and an Ardrossan forward raced to the opposition twenty-two only to make a forward pass to the backing up player. Ross Murray picked up once again and Morton Sinclair raced thirty-five metres, and from the ruck Kilmarnock winger Chris Milligan couldn’t collect a pass which sailed over his head.

Ardrossan attacked up the blind side with Kilmarnock fullback Archie Jackson fly hacking the ball for an Ardrossan lineout. A quick take and a kick ahead went dead. From their scrum Kilmarnock moved the ball and the backline won another penalty. Craig McWhirter kicked to touch into the opposition half. The ball was won, and Jordan Duncan passed to Craig Sheppard who broke through thein midfield and raced thirty-five metres before being stopped. Kilmarnock won the ruck with Morton Sinclair caught five metes short followed by Duncan and Murray resulting in a penalty to Kilmarnock. Captain Craig Sheppard thought about a scrum but took a tap and go and scored close to the posts. Josh Cooper converted to narrow the scoreline 17-12.

From the deep restart the Kilmarnock forwards retained the ball with stand-off Craig McWhirter kicking to touch to end the half. Kilmarnock were back in the game and turned around to face the setting sun and a slight breeze. Ross Murray fielded the restart ball and charged into the Ardrossan forwards backed up by his team-mates and the ball was recycled to Craig McWhirter who found touch with his clearance kick. Ardrossan won their lineout and passed the ball along the line to the right winger who sailed through the wanting Kilmarnock defence for a try in the corner. No touchline conversion 22-12 and not the start the home side wanted.

Kilmarnock tried to get back into the game but found themselves penalised on several occasions. Ardrossan opted to kick at goal from thirty-five metres to increase their lead 25-12 after ten minutes of the half.

Following a high tackle the referee spoke to the captains however after a lineout a brouhaha erupted ending with veteran Brian Hendry from Ardrossan and Jordan Duncan from Kilmarnock being red carded. Ardrossan won the ensuing scrum and won another penalty for offside. The kick to the corner resulted in a try from a catch and drive. 32-12.

Kilmarnock made three substitutions off - Josh Cooper, Graeme Duke and Kyle Bendall. On- Connor Turnbull, Kieran Pattie and Jack Provan for his debut after a cruciate ligament injury. Connor Turnbull was like a greyhound desperate to get out of the box. Jack Provan eased his way into the game, but another penalty allowed Ardrossan to advance downfield. A Kilmarnock lineout was stolen and then a tackle by Ian Kerr resulted in a yellow card for persistent fouling. Harsh in anyone’s book. Kilmarnock couldn’t get out of their own half as the wind advantage increased. A penalty to Kilmarnock was reversed and Ardrossan made a successful kick at goal 35-12 after thirty-two minutes.

Kilmarnock mounted an attack from the restart through the forwards with Robbie Paxton kicking and chasing ahead. Ardrossan attacked and following a no arms tackle by Craig McWhirter a second brouhaha ensued. In a bizarre instant referee Paul Ellison sin binned three Kilmarnock players, Craig McWhirter, Jonathan Goodlet and Connor Turnbull. The home side were down to eleven players for the final six minutes. In that space of time Ardrossan crossed the try line only once and were worthy winners 40-12 and League Champions.

Captain Craig Sheppard was emphatic saying he couldn’t fault the effort of his fellow players. Good for sixty minutes then lost the referee. Today was not disheartening the roar in the background is what we want so that will motivate us for next week’s game. Coach Stuart Pratt was hypercritical in one respect but told the boys to hold their heads up high, two games to go ten points demanded.

Writer’s Men of the Match Craig Sheppard and Ross Murray.