Whitecraigs U18s 19-v-59 Kilmarnock U18s

Kilmarnock U18s took the short trip up the M77 to face Whitecraigs in an eagerly anticipated league match.

Straight from kick off, a fine hanging drop kick from Thomas Dunlop, was caught superbly in the air just inside the 10 metre line by Frazer Sands, who distributed well, out wide, with Daniel Christie running through to score a quick fire try which was converted out wide on the touch line from Thomas to go 7-0 up early doors.

Whitecraigs struck back almost instantly from their own kick off. After securing the ball, a Kilmarnock player ran the ball back into a sea of players in blue and white and was turned over with no support, with Kilmarnock missing the first tackle and allowing opposition to stroll through and score a converted try 7-7.

From the restart, Thomas again floated another sweet hanging drop kick, which this time was caught perfectly by David Hendrie. The ball was worked out wide to Luke Lithgow who was brought down just before the try line as a result of a high tackle by the last covering man. Penalty try awarded and telling off for the offender.

The Kilmarnock forwards put in a power of work throughout the game, and set up a good platform for the back line to dazzle with ball in hands. In turn, the back line always looked dangerous ball in hand, attacking the space and always putting their opposition on the back foot.

Just before half time, Kilmarnock scored a well worked team try. From a scrum, Daniel Christie picked and went up the blind side and managed to offload in behind the defensive line, to foraging Logan Hendrie. Logan in turn crashed through, offloading to his brother David, who used quick hands to pop out to Laughlan Whitelaw, and with great vision, floated a looooong pass out to Luke Lithgow, hugging the wing, to stroll through. This is a try that would not have looked out of place at the World Cup! Half time 19-33

Kilmarnock started the second half in determined fashion. Whitecraigs kicked off long into the grateful hands of Thomas Dunlop at full back, who gathered inside his own 22, danced his way through a packed midfield and turned on the gas to leave the full back in his wake and score under the posts before converting.

From here, Kilmarnock were always in control, although Whitecraigs were lucky to finish the game with a full compliment of players, either through persistent high tackles or the most blatant of trips on Thomas, who was through past the last man again, and was seen by everyone except the ref. A yellow card did come at the end of the match for another high tackle on Andrew Bryson, but the time was up, and the ball was kicked into touch for a 19-59 scoreline.

Todays try scorers were Thomas Dunlop (x3), Daniel Christie (x2), Logan Hendrie, Luke Lithgow, Frazer Sands and a penalty try.

Thomas Dunlop slotted 6/8 conversions and was awarded man of the match from opposition coaches.

Thanks to Whitecraigs for their hospitality.