With only 14 players available, Kilmarnock U18s travelled to East Kilbride on Saturday 1st March, knowing that a win would book a semi final in the West U18 Youth Quaich/Chairmans Trophy.

Following a lengthy delay while the home team tried to sort a ref, the game got under way 25 minutes later.

The recent poor weather didn’t do much to help the pitch, which was heavy underfoot and contributed to a first half where both teams struggled to get any consistency.

Both teams started brightly, with EK having some early pressure, however Kilmarnock grew into the game and were unlucky not to be in the lead at half time, which finished scoreless.

Kilmarnock kicked of the second half with Max Neil putting a well placed kick (we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt) into the hands of Adam Scott just inside the 10m, who charged towards the opposition try line before being stopped just inside the home teams 22m following a knock on from the offload.

From the resulting scrum, the home team’s no 6 was yellow carded for some back chat with Kilmarnock pressing EKs try line. After some periods of pressure and good defence, Max Neil took the decision to kick for points after winning another penalty to lead 0-3.

Some poor discipline from Killie at the breakdown allowed EK back into game with two penalties conceded both in kickable positions. With such a tight game, EK tried to reduce the points difference on both occasions, however both kicks drifted just wide of the upright.

Kilmarnock were now applying lots of pressure across the park, and from an EK dropped ball, Frazer Sands hacked through, chased and picked up the ball before stretching out to score, but was held short by a good last ditch tackle. The ball was moved out quickly though to Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Cruz da Fonte to score in the corner. Conversion just missed by Max Neil 0-8

Max Neil was having another impressive game at 10 pulling the strings, and a good bit of vision and footwork from Max placed a well timed chip into space behind the EK defence, with Max Cardoo outpacing Cameron Cottrell to score in the corner. Max Neil pulling the conversion just wide 0-13.

With 5 minutes left to play, Allan Brodie was shown a yellow card for a bit of verbal and EK tried their best to capitalise, however Kilmarnock defence was resolute and they saw out the game to finish worthy winners.

It’s a great result for the young Killie team, who have struggled since the turn of the year for game time but keep turning up to training and putting in the hard work.

There were impressive performances across three pitch with Max Neil continuing to develop and show some maturity in his play, Fraser Sands attacking prowess and solid defence, Cameron Cottrell with his mesmerising foot work, Cullan Urquhart industrious at 9, and Harrison Gillies and Murray Imrie putting in some impressive tackles.

I could go through the whole team, they were all impressive today and as such the Man of the Match award is a team one this week.

Big thank you EK for a well contested game and also for their hospitality, and also to their first team coach who stepped in last minute to officiate the game - one of the finest displays we’ve had all season, talking to both sets of players throughout and consistent with his decision making.

Next up semi final on the 15th March …