Considering that Kilmarnock had the equivalent of two entire teams plus subs unavailable it is remarkable that the club was able to fulfil this fixture and it is a testimony to those who pulled on the jersey that they gave their all and did their club proud in the first league fixture.
The game was played at Maxwelton High School due to the number of games being played at Dumfries RFC. Rather strange playing on a football pitch with no rugby markings and rugby posts welded on top of football posts.
Kilmarnock fielded a side containing five players aged over 45 and two players playing their first ever senior game. The makeshift side did themselves proud in the first half ending the period 19-14 down with a try for Paul Dickie from five yards following some good driving play and recycling by the forwards. After a midfield break by Chris Wright and Fraser Hannah was stopped on the opposition twenty two, Ivor Frater went through the resulting gap and scored under the posts. Both tries were converted by William Bark (jr).
At the start of the second half, Kilmarnock suffered injuries to William Bark (jr) and Chris Wright. Dumfries at this point elected for uncontested scrums. This changed the entire momentum of the game as Kilmarnock had become dominant in this area of the field despite Dumfries stating before the game they had five props in their team. Dumfries made good use of the safe platform they now had and took the game out of reach of Kilmarnock.
The Kilmarnock side though kept battling until the end and in the last play of the game, after a series of rucks close to the Dumfries line, Ivor Frater dived through to score from close range. It was a score that the Kilmarnock side deserved for all their hard work.
All the players can hold their heads up high after that performance and know that with that spirit the results will come. Well played the Polar Bears.