Kilmarnock played their final league game of the season last Saturday when they travelled to Torrance Park to face league title contenders East Kilbride.

In a spirited performance they were defeated 31-12.

Kilmarnock kicked off downhill started well and had the better of the exchanges in a quite intense first quarter but were unable to convert pressure and possession into points aided by some homeside errors. The deadlock was broken East Kilbride won a penalty and kicked to touch for a lineout on the halfway line. The ball was caught and the catch and drive saw their scrum half break up the blindside , chipped over the Kilmarnock defence collect and score below the posts, the easy conversion was added 7-0 after twenty minutes.

The half continued however Kilmarnock were guilty of conceding penalties and crucially lost a couple of their lineouts. East Kilbride with another penalty kicked to the corner for another lineout, the ball was won cleanly and the scrum half passed to the home side hooker who ran in totally unopposed for another converted try. 14-0.

Kilmarnock restarted but the ball failed to go ten metres and from a scrum the home side kicked and the ball was fielded by Fraser Corrance who kicked ahead with Ryan Andrews in support. The ruck ball was won and the forwards drove upfield and another kick saw Corrance in action with fullback Ally McWhirter kicking to downfield the ball was returned for a Kilmarnock lineout. The ball was won and Jamie Houston burst through the opposition forwards and the ball was taken by Sam Diamond who released centre Andy Ferguson who passed to Ally McWhirter and a penalty given to Kilmarnock. Quick as a flash the tap and go was taken and the ball shipped to right winger Robbie Colman who raced in for a try, the conversion by Craig McWhirter narrowly failed 14-5 with a few minutes of the half remaining. Play continued and in the fourth minute of extra time the home side made an orthodox backline move and their right winger outstripped the Kilmarnock defence and touched down in the corne rfor an unconverted try 19-5 the lead and the half time whistle blew.

Kilmarnock kicked off the second half and the ball was collected by Craig McWhirter who passed to Sam Diamond and despite a high tackle the home side held him up in the maul to win a scrum.

Kilmarnock then won a number of penalties but again possession could not result in points and the heavyweight pack took it’s toll on the Kilmarnock side. The visitors conceded a free kick for a delayed throw in at a lineout, the quick tap was taken two passes later the fourth bonus earning point was scored. No conversion 24-5 midway through the half.

Kilmarnock made three replacements with Morton Sinclair, Chris Milligan and Kieran Pattie replacing Jamie Houston, Robbie Colman and Robbie Paxton, moments later Stuart McFadzean suffered a shoulder injury and Jamie Houston returned to the game. East Kilbride had the upper hand and ten minutes later their scrum pushed the Killie forwards backwards for a converted push over try,
31-5 with ten minutes remaining.

Kilmarnock stuck to the task and mounted a number of attacks with Diamond, Allan Spiers and Corrance in the thick of the action. A promising backline moved ended with a dropped pass.

Kilmarnock won a turnover from the resulting scrum and moved the ball between Spiers, Andrews and Sinclair with second row Sean McCafferty breaking through two tackles, stumble and regain his stride and burst through the flailing defence for a well deserved try.
Craig McWhirter quickly took a drop goal conversion to continue the game.

East Kilbride kicked off and it was hero to villain as Sean McCafferty knocked the ball on.

The home side won the last scrum of the day and kicked to touch to end the game final score 31-12.

Coach Stuart Pratt only had praise for his young side, a fantastic effort and with more preparation at training he relished the future for the side. Fellow coaches Ryan Andrews and Paul Meehan added their pennyworth as did Club Captain Ally McWhirter.

“Look forward to your night out at the McGonagall Evening boys”

There was no joy for the second XV who travelled to Hillhead -Jordanhill and were soundly beaten by the league leaders 58-0.

So the season 2018-2019 is complete with both the first and second XVs in 8th position of the twelve team leagues although other fixtures remain to be played.

Next season the leagues will be re-structured with the advent of Super 6 rugby with ten teams in Kilmarnock’s league.

Be there and support your local team at Bellsland and afar.

Bill Barnaby
07719-567-401