ANNAN 19 v KRFC 10

Last Saturday Kilmarnock travelled to Violetbank to play Annan seeking revenge for the home defeat earlier in the season. Alas it was not a day to remember as the hosts ran out winners 19-10 to place Kilmarnock second bottom of the league.

The hosts kicked off downhill with the sun on their backs but it was Kilmarnock who kept possession for the initial passages of play. The home defence coped with the visitors attacks but were under pressure when Sean McCafferty won a lineout ball in the home twenty-two, the Kilmarnock forwards drove through Craig Shepperd then Morton Sinclair with Taylor McHarg crossing the goal line only to be denied the score with the referee deeming he was held up. The goal line drop out was collected by Robbie Colman who attacked, and from the ruck Victor Murray charged goalwards and won a penalty. From ten metres in front of the posts Ethan MacIsaac opened Kilmarnock’s account. 3-0 after seven minutes.

Kilmarnock fielded the restart kick, moved the ball and kicked failing to find touch. Annan made their first attack with short runners making ground and gained a penalty. A tap and go was made but Kilmarnock made a turnover at the ensuing ruck, scrum half Connor Turnbull’s clearance kick within the twenty-two was charged down and the bouncing ball was picked up by a chasing Annan player who went over for a try. No conversion 5-3m in the tenth minute.

Kilmarnock’s high restart kick was collected and Annan surged forward mounting several phases of attack. The home scrum half kicked a telling box kick with the bounce beating the retreating Craig McWhirter and was gladly collected by the Annan stand-off who raced in from twenty-five metres with no cover defence in sight. The conversion was made, 12-3 after thirteen minutes.

From the restart Annan moved the ball but knocked on for a Kilmarnock scrum. The pack held their own and moved the ball but were penalised for crossing. Annan wasted no time taking a tap and go then kicking into the Kilmarnock twenty-two with Ethan MacIsaac clearing to touch. Annan won their lineout and moved the ball wide then switched direction and from pass that went astray their inside centre kicked ahead, brushed Craig Hunter aside without the ball and the loose ball was picked up and over for Annan’s third try. The conversion was made 19-3 with twenty minutes played.

Kilmarnock finally woke up and in the remainder of the half contested well but could not find the penetration in either forward or back play.
Ewan Callaghan was replaced in the front row by Matthew Tame with Kilmarnock pressing for a score and the half ended after fifty-one minutes.

The half time pep-talk over Kilmarnock kicked off but the ball failed to cross the ten- metre line. The half progressed with both teams defending well and in the eighteenth minute Kilmarnock’s Victor Murray and Sean McCafferty had a clash of heads with both players being substituted. Niall Murphy and Ewan Callaghan the replacements. Kilmarnock continued to press and have the upper hand in terms of possession but it was not until late in the game that they made it count.

A long pass from Connor Turnbull was dropped by Jonathan Goodlet but Kilmarnock were given a penalty. The tap and go was taken by Mathew Tame who made ground followed by Niall Murphy and the third phase saw Ewan Callaghan on the blind side wing stopped short of the goal line. The ruck ball was won and Mathew Tame pirouetted over the line from close range. Ethan MacIsaac’s kick was made. Score 19-10 with seven minutes remaining.

Kilmarnock attacked from the restart but a knock on by Robbie Colman gave Annan a scrum. The home side searched for the bonus point fourth try but were denied and confusion reigned as the referee awarded a penalty to Annan who kicked to the corner and the referee sounded full time. A good home win for Annan who leapfrog up the league whilst Kilmarnock languish in the relegation zone.

A somewhat anguished captain Craig Shepperd pleaded for full commitment at training and unity. Coach Stuart Pratt encouraged his troops to hold their heads up after a good second half performance. Lift your heads for next week’s game. The season is by no means over.