STRATHAVEN 29 V KRFC 14

Last Saturday Kilmarnock travelled to Strathaven hoping to make a hat-trick of victories but it was not to be. Straight from Kilmarnock’s kick-off the home side gained ground with a forty metre run and despite knocking on they were awarded a penalty. The scrum option was taken and the ball moved wide, Ewan Callaghan floored the first attacker who released the ball to his stand-off who waltzed through the Kilmarnock defence for a converted try within two minutes. 7-0.

Stra’ven won a second penalty from the restart with Stuart McFadzean going off with a shoulder injury and Jordan Duncan the replacement player. Niall Murphy stole the lineout ball winning a penalty in the process. Kilmarnock moved up-field with an attack by Jordan Duncan then the ball was kicked away by Connor Turnbull as Kilmarnock won a penalty. Ethan MacIsac’s effort from thirty -nine metres was wide of the posts The drop out kick was charged down but the ball was secured by Stra’ven and kicked to touch. Kilmarnock’s line out was lost and as Stra’ven moved the ball Robbie Colman pressured his opposite number who kicked straight out into touch. Another lineout was lost but Kilmarnock turned over the ball with Frazer Corrance breaking and passing to Craig Shepperd. Onto Sean McCafferty then back to Corrance who kicked ahead, Stra’ven fielded and attacked with a second phase run of forty metres by Heggie who ran through with no Kilmarnock tacklers in site. The conversion stretched the home side 14-0 ahead after nine minutes of play.

Stra’ven lost the first of several players through injury with the loose head prop being replaced. Kilmarnock won a penalty from the restart but failed to win their lineout and as Stra’ven knocked on Kilmarnock won their scrum, moved the ball along their backline and won a penalty for a no arms tackle. Ethan MacIsaac found touch and Kilmarnock’s lineout failed yet again. Stra’ven put the Kilmarnock forwards in defensive mode as a wave of attacks ensued. Stra’ven lost their scrum half then their full back within a minute. Kilmarnock won a scrum on the halfway line and moved the ball with Frazer Corrance forced to kick, Stra’ven returned the kick and Ethan MacIsaac was penalised at the ruck. Stra’ven kicked to the corner and from the catch and drive released their backline who were stopped short. Another Stra’ven player was injured and the referee lectured the captains resulting in a penalty to the home side. A tap and go was taken with the heavyweight Stra’ven forwards going over at the fourth attempt for an unconverted try in the twenty seventh minute. 19-0 the score.

Kilmarnock won the restart with Chris Milligan passing to Craig Shepperd then onto Sean McCafferty but were penalised at the ruck. Stra’ven knocked on from the lineout and a big Kilmarnock push in the scrum was rewarded with a penalty. Touch was found but Stra’ven won the ball at the front with the replacement scrum half racing thirty -five metres and kicking ahead, Kilmarnock on the back foot knocked on for a home scrum. Stra’ven then had a lapse in concentration with some sloppy play leading to a Kilmarnock penalty. A rare take in the lineout and McCafferty was backed up with Jonathan Goodlet making ground followed by Ewan Callaghan taking out a couple of players. The backline went into action and further forages by the forwards saw Kilmarnock come alive for the first time in the match. Jonathan Goodlet picked up from the base of a scrum and linked with Chris Milligan, the ruck ball was won but centre Robbie Paxton was penalised for holding to relieve the pressure on Stra’ven who kicked up to the visitor’s twenty-two for a lineout. Nial Murphy rose to the challenge and won the ball passing to Craig Shepperd then Ewan Callaghan who was penalised. Kilmarnock were caught knapping and a pick up and go resulted in a bonus point fourth try with no conversion. 24-0 to the home side.

Stra’ven were penalised from the restart. Kilmarnock attacked through a tap and go with Robbie Paxton making ground backed up by Robbie Colman into the Stra’ven twenty-two, onto prop Victor Murray who was stopped short of the line and alas was penalised. The Stra’ven scrum half kicked into touch to end the first half. Connor Turnbull was replaced by Ewan Caldwell with the Craig McWhirter moving to scrum half and Robbie Paxton at stand-off.

The half time pep talk by Kilmarnock coach Stuart Pratt must have been laced with encouragement as it was the visitors who started well in the second half. Stra’ven had men in front of the kicker at the restart as Sean McCafferty was hit in the air from the kick-off. From the penalty MacIsaac kicked to touch for a lineout on the home twenty-two. The ball was won and the Kilmarnock pack drove twenty metres with Sean McCafferty two metres short then Robbie Paxton tried to dance through however Kilmarnock were given a penalty try 24-7 and a yellow card to Stra’ven after three minutes.

Kilmarnock encouraged by this score upped their game with both forwards and backs relishing possession and moving into opposition territory. Niall Murphy to Jordan Duncan whose pass was unlucky to find winger Chris Milligan and went into touch. The Stra’ven put in was squint and Kilmarnock opted for a scrum. A mighty push and Jonathan Goodlet picked up passing to Craig McWhirter onto Victor Murray then Morton Sinclair who was tackled short of the goal line. The recycled ball was passed by the two Robbies and taken on by Craig Shepperd who crashed over for a well- deserved converted try. Kilmarnock trailing 24-14 but showing promise.

Stra’ven won possession from the restart and attacked with Kilmarnock’s clearance kick being charged down for a goal line drop out. Kilmarnock then made a crucial tactical error, with the wind behind them they took a short drop out instead of hoofing the ball into the opposition half.
The ball was fielded by Stra’ven ten metres from the goal line, they advanced and were stopped short but the second phase move resulted in a try. No conversion 29-14 and Stra’ven let off the hook.

Ewan Callaghan was replaced by Mathew Tame in the front row. Kilmarnock continued to press a tiring home side, winning penalties and threatening to score. The forwards won a penalty on the halfway line with Ethan MacIsaac failing to find touch and halt the Kilmarnock ascendancy. Two minutes later Kilmarnock won another penalty and again the kick failed to find touch. Kilmarnock tried in vain to get over the goal line and the game ended with a Stra’ven interception and kick ahead field by Robbie Colman and out the backline to Frazer Corrance who was bundled into touch. Final score 29-14 to the heavyweight Strathaven side.

Coach Stuart Pratt noted that Kilmarnock lost the game in the collision zone, Strathaven were first there at the breakdown and our decision making was poor whilst the defence got better through time. Pratty stated that the next game against Dalziel at Bellsland was hugely important and we have to have full commitment at training this coming week.