EAST KILBRIDE v KRFC

Last Saturday Kilmarnock travelled to Calderglen Park to face East Kilbride who won the game in the last ten minutes scoreline 18-13. With smirry rain and a muddy pitch underfoot it was far from ideal playing conditions. The hosts kicked off uphill and soon advanced into Kilmarnock territory aided by two penalties. An interception by Robbie Paxton was pulled back for a penalty to EK who kicked to the corner. Two phases later the EK stand-off placed a perfect cross-kick which was collected by the right winger to score with the Kilmarnock defence out of position. No conversion 5-0 after four minutes.

Kilmarnock responded with attacks from winger Chris Milligan and centre Robbie Colman also winning two penalties but unable to capitalise. EK won a scrum and attacked up the blind side as Kilmarnock in a somewhat lethargic mode were penalised to force a lineout in the corner. Two phases later Kilmarnock conceded another penalty which was converted. 8-0 in the fifteenth minute.

Play in the next quarter was evenly matched with Morton Sinclair making a telling break backed up by Ross Murray followed by a Kilmarnock backline move thwarted by an interception knock on by EK. Another attack saw Scot Wright join the line with winger Chris Milligan in the clear but Scot turned inside and won a penalty from the ruck. Kilmarnock continued to press with Ross Murray breaking through the defence only for his pass to be dropped a few metres from the goal line. Another penalty was conceded to relieve the pressure for EK who advanced with runners at short range and effective touch clearances. A fumble by EK was collected by Connor Turnbull and passed to Robbie Colman who kicked for an EK lineout on the halfway line. Kilmarnock stole the lineout and prop Victor Muray charged forward and was upended for a Kilmarnock penalty. Connor Turnbull took a quick tap and go backed up by Morton Sinclair then out the backline and cutting inside to win a penalty. Craig Shepperd opted for a kick to touch for a lineout. With a delay in retrieving the ball Kilmarnock then made a catch and drive from twelve metres out and scored a push over try scored by Craig Shepperd. Ethan MacIsaac’s conversion hit the post but failed to go over. Kilmarnock back in the game score 8-5 after thirty-five minutes.

The grubber restart kick was collected but knocked on to give EK a scrum. The Killie pack pushed too early and a free kick given to EK who took a tap and go, the following ruck saw a tad friction between the forwards followed by a game of ping pong as each side kicked to each other. An over-zealous Connor Turnbull ended up in the opposition technical area which started a melee including EK coaching staff and ended with a scrum to EK. Out the backline and Ryan Andrews stopped his man with a high tackle. EK kicked to touch with Jonathan Goodlet collecting the overthrow, from the ruck Kilmarnock’s backline went into action with Robbie Colman opting to kick with two men outside him his deflected kick was fly-hacked on by Ethan McIsaac who chased but lost possession. EK salvaged the ball and at the following ruck kicked to touch to end the first half. Score 8-5 to EK.

Coach Stuart Pratt made one half time substitution with Kyle Bendall replacing Scot Wright playing on the wing and Ethan MacIsaac moving to fullback.

The rain continued and a slight breeze blew in favour of EK as Kilmarnock kicked off playing uphill. EK fielded and used the elements to kick to touch. Kilmarnock won the resulting lineout and showed promise with attacks by Ewan Callagan and Chris Milligan from deep. Robbie Paxton joined the attack and from a ruck the ball moved from Taylor McHarg to Ross Murray whose pass to Niall Murphy was adjudged forward, a blatant error by the referee who awarded a scrum despite Murray’s protestations. More agony was to follow as Kilmarnock were penalised on the ground and driven back a further ten metres by the referee.

Kilmarnock responded and made ground from another Chris Milligan attack but lost possession and EK kicked downfield. More ping pong by the fullbacks and Ethan MacIsaac’s clearance was charged down and only an interception by Jonathan Goodlet stopped a likely score. The ball fell to Craig Shepperd out to Robbie Paxton whose long pass to winger Kyle Bendall (whitest of jerseys) went astray. Handling errors continued as Kilmarnock moved into EK territory. The home side inside centre was hammered by Morton Sinclair and penalised for holding on. Ethan MacIsaac from thirty two metres in front kicked the penalty to level the scores 8-8 after ten minutes.

Taylor McHarg fielded the restart grubber kick and two rucks later kicked upfield but EK with a long kick to touch forced a lineout in the Kilmarnock twenty-two. Kilmarnock stole the ball but were turned over and three drives by the home forwards won a penalty in front of the posts. The conversion was made 11-8 to EK with sixteen minutes played.

Ethan MacIsaac’s restart kick went dead giving EK a scrum on the halfway line, the number eight picked up and passed to the scrum half who drilled the ball into the Kilmarnock twenty-two. Yet again the sides resorted to the kicking game with Kilmarnock awarded a penalty and the referee uncertain where the penalty should be taken from. Where the ball alighted sir! Twenty yards short Kilmarnock kicked to touch and crucially lost their lineout on the opposition twenty-two and EK kicked clear to touch. Kilmarnock attacked through their forwards and again the backline kicked and the ball was marked by the EK fullback. The kick upfield failed to find touch and the ball was moved through the Kilmarnock backline with Kyle Bendall kicking ahead to force a lineout deep in the EK twenty -two. Meanwhile Robbie Colman and an EK player pushed each other off the ball and both were yellow carded and shook hands.

Niall Murphy won the ball at the front of the lineout with Craig Shepperd making ground and winning a penalty in the process. A kick to the corner for another lineout and the catch and drive merited another penalty to Kilmarnock. The catch and drive was repeated and this time Kilmarnock drove over in the corner for Craig Shepperd’s second try of the game. Ethan MacIsaac’s conversion was narrowly missed. Kilmarnock ahead 13-11 with fifteen minutes remaining.

Ewan Caldwell replaced Jonathan Goodlet. Ewan Callaghan attempted to field the grubber kick and did so but was penalised on the ground for holding and EK kicked into the Kilmarnock twenty-two. Another penalty was won and EK edged closer to the visitor’s line. EK employed short range runners and with the benefit of a free ball the ball was picked up at the base of a ruck and a wing forward made a reverse slip pass and EK went over for a converted try. Ross Murray had words with the referee and was promptly yellow carded to end his game. EK in the lead 18-13 with ten minutes on the clock.

Two minutes later the earlier yellow carded players returned to play. With Kilmarnock gaining a scrum eighteen metres in front of the opposition posts the visitors searched for an equalising try. From a second scrum Kilmarnock made two long passes first by Robbie Paxton to Ethan MacIsaac whose suspect forward pass was picked off the ground by Kyle Bendall who stepped inside the first defender and raced to the goal line but was stopped a couple of strides from the line. Kilmarnock were pushed back and forced to fumble the ball for an EK scrum. Kilmarnock continued to press with a Ryan Andrews kick into EK territory. EK kicked downfield to relieve the pressure as Kilmarnock responded with Ethan MacIsaac joining the line at pace but injuring himself in the process. Scot Wright returned along with Jonathan Goodlet replacing Ewan Callaghan.

The final scrum of the day saw the EK pack push Kilmarnock backwards and a break by the scrum half up to the Kilmarnock twenty -two resulted in a ruck with the ball being passed to the retreating number eight who kicked into touch to end the match. EK winners 18-13.

Kilmarnock Captain Craig Shepperd was somewhat exasperated saying we have to adapt and take our chances but couldn’t fault the effort. We salvaged a point but need more. Coach Stuart Pratt reiterated that we are better than this we have played at a better level and reinforced the need to switch on ahead of next week’s game where there is no expectation of a win.