1st Xv
Matches
Sat 07 Sep 2019  ·  Tennent's West Region League Division 1 (Men's)
Kilmarnock Rugby Football Club
1st Xv
Tries: R Andrews (3), C Milligan, M Sinclair, S Mcfadzean, S Diamond, A Roy, J DuncanConversions: D Smith (7), S Diamond
61
19
CAMBUSLANG RFC
Kilmarnock RFC 61 -v- 15 Cambuslang RFC

Kilmarnock RFC 61 -v- 15 Cambuslang RFC

Michael Lithgow9 Sep 2019 - 18:13
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Kilmarnock rampant in the Sun

KRFC v CAMBUSLANG Sat. 7-09-2019 at Bellsland.

Kilmarnock opened their 2019-2020 league campaign on Saturday 31st August against Annan at Violetbank and recorded a fine 36-19 bonus point win.

In the first home match last Saturday Kilmarnock hosted visitors Cambuslang on “Ladies Day” at Bellsland. The weather was fine and the ladies divine as the youthfull Kilmarnock side made it two victories in a row winning 61 – 15 ( or was it 17?) The referee scored it the latter whilst the SRU website mistakingly records it as 61-19.

The game kicked off in the sunshine with the visitors controlling possession in the opening few minutes. A forward pass and Kilmarnock gained ground from the scrum with a Ryan Andrews kick to touch. Another forward pass by the Cambuslang backs and Kilmarnock had a scrum inside the opposition 22 area. Number eight Adam Roy picked up and charged but was held up short, the ball was moved wide to Chris Milligan and he to was held up. A third scrum to Kilmarnock and Adam Roy picked up and crashed over for the opening try after eight minutes. David Smith missed the conversion. 5-0.

From the restart Ryan Andrews fielded and kicked for a Cambuslang lineout which was stolen by Kilmarnock, Craig Sheppard moved the ball and a dubious forward pass decision given.

Kilmarnock put the opposition scrum under pressure and won a free kick. The qucick tap and go released Frazer Corrance but he was turned over, Cambuslang were bundled into touch and from the lineout Kilmarnock won another free kick. The tap and go ploy saw second row Niall Murphy link with prop Sheppard then to the evasive Jordan DFuncan then Sam Diamond back to Sheppard who passed to flanker Stuart McFadzean who crashed over the line beneath the posts, David Smith readily converted 12-0 after thirteen minutes.
From the restart Cambus won possession after a turnover, moved into Kilmarnock territory and scored a blind side try despite a knock on to reduce the margin 12-5.

Kilmarnock won the restart ball and Connor Mackie drove forward releasing Chris Milligan who was tackled short of the goal line, the forwards piled in and won a penalty. Kilmarnock took a five metre scrum, the ball was shipped up the blind side with a forward pass relieving the pressure for the visitors. Camus cleared to touch but Kilmarnock attacked again through centre Andy Ferguson and winger Frazer Corrance. The visitors soaked up the pressure and counter attacked with their left winger taking a ball from a ruck and racing from the half way line for a try, the conversion was missed 12-10 after 26minutes.

The restart was kicked back for a Kilmarnock lineout and a free kick won by the home side.

The ball was tapped and fed to Sam Diamond who was held up in midfield, Ryan Andrews sliced his kick ahead but won the ball back and from a standing start raced through the defence for a try converted by David Smith. 19-10 to Kilmarnock after half an hour.
In the remainder of the half Kilmarnock defended well against the few Cambuslang attacks, made a number of errors and failed to add to the scoreline.

The half time pep talk over it was back to business in the second half. Stuart Docherty and Stuart Lauder replaced Connor Mackie and Craig Sheppard in the front row.

Kilmarnock were caught knapping when Cambus took a tap and go penalty, they crossed the try line but the ball was dropped in the touchdown process. Both sides gave away penalties and made basic errors in the next ten minutes of play and Frazer Corrance was replaced by Blair Wilson on the wing.

From a Cambus lineout Sam Diamond hoisted by Sean McCafferty won the ball and linked with hooker Jordan Duncan who made ground, a minor stramash amongst the forwards resulted in a penalty to Kilmarnock who opted for a scrum, Ally McWhirter at stand-off was held up short and Ryan Andrews knocked on to give Cambus a scrum. The Kilmarnock pack pushed the visitors backwards, turned the ball over and Sam Diamond picked up and charged over in midfield for a try. David Smith converted 26-10 after quarter of an hour.

Morton Sinclair came on as a replacement and was soon in the thick of the action. The restart by Cambus saw centre Robbie Colman pin the receiver and Kilmarnock turned him over, Stuart McFadzean fed Chris Milligan, the ruck was formed, Jordan Duncan fed Andy Ferguson whose deft pass was taken by Morton Sinclair who outstripped the Cambus defence and went in for a try converted by David Smith. 33-10 after eighteen minutes of the second half.

Kilmarnock struck straight from the restart kick with Stuart Lauder passing to Sam Diamond who power sprinted 45metres to release backing up winger Chris Milligan who broke two tackles to score beneath the posts. Smith converted 40-10.

Kilmarnock were well in control of all phases of play and soon the front row was returned to the original selection. Scrum half Ryan Andrews took a tap penalty after half an hour and from ten metres out was tackled but stretched over to score a remarkable try for the following reason.
Flanker Sam Diamond took the conversion from outwide on the right hand side, the left footed kicker slotted the conversion plum duff between the sticks. 47-10.

The visitors down but not out were breached again after Andy Ferguson was stopped short of the line, up popped Ryan Andrews who picked up a loose ball and went over for his second try.
David Smith converted 54-10.

From the restart Kilmarnock knocked on, Cambus moved the ball but Chris Milligan tackled his man and the ball was dislodged, Jordan Duncan collected the ball in his own half and the plucky hooker ran 65metres with tacklers in his wake to score Kilmarnock’s ninth try which was converted by David Smith, scoreline 61-10.

The visitors had a consolation try in the final minute with the stand-off breaking on the blind side for a try. Conversion in doubt final score 61-15 (17) to Kilmarnock.

Player coach Ryan Andrews at the huddle praised the players, best start after two games with maximum points. The team are determined and enjoyed it.

Coach Stuart Pratt was not fully satisfied but in a positive way he stated that the team are only in second gear and the proof of the pudding will be the next game against much fancied East Kilbride at Calderglen this coming Saturday. Kick-off 3.00pm. Be there and support your local club.

The second XV were also at home against Premier club 2ndXV opposition GHA Lions and suffered a heavy defeat 69-10. The second XV are also at East Kilbride this Saturday.

Bill Barnaby 07719-567-401

Match details

Match date

Sat 07 Sep 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Tennent's West Region League Division 1 (Men's)

League position

1
KILMARNOCK RFC
10
CAMBUSLANG RFC
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