MATCH REPORT: EAST KILBRIDE v KILMARNOCK 1ST XV at Torrance Park 14-09-2019.

From their own kick-off the home side won possession and after two backline moves a missed tackle allowed the speeding left winger to bowl over fullback Ally McWhirter and open East Kilbride’s account with a converted try after two minutes of play. 7-0.

The Kilmarnock response after a knock on at the restart was to move the ball from the scrum out the backline, from the ruck Craig Shepperd charged and again the backline moved the ball through the hands of Robbie Colman. Sheppard was in action again feeding scrum half Ryan Andrews who released stand-off David Smith who crashed to the ground near the goal line and suffered a leg injury and was replaced.

Kilmarnock continued the pressure but handling errors saw them squander promising attacks however a turnover gave them possession and the ball was shipped to centre Jamie Shedden who touched down near the right hand side corner flag for a try. Craig McWhirter made a great touchline conversion to level the scores after ten minutes.

From the kick off the home side moved into the Kilmarnock half and won a penalty for offside and the conversion by Scott Shankie put them ahead 10-7.

Kilmarnock continued to thwart the home side attacks but their offensive play included poor passing and lineout play. A forward pass to Andy Ferguson gave a scrum to East Kilbride and the ball was handled well by the home backline and centre Aidan Stott raced over for a converted try to increase the lead 17-7 after 25 minutes.

Kilmarnock tried in vain to add to their tally of points and with ten minutes of the half remaining they replaced Craig Sheppard and Connor Mackie with Stuart Lauder and Calum McGeary in the front row.

The half ended with another miss pass giving East Kilbride a scoring chance which foundered.

The second half saw little change in the blustery wind conditions however there was a wind of change in the Kilmarnock side as they got out of the starting blocks and forced play into the opposition half and won a penalty. Ryan Andrews took a quick tap, out the backline and Robbie Colman went over in the corner for a try. Craig McWhirter narrowly missed with the conversion attempt 17-12 the scoreline.

In the next ten minutes both sides scored a penalty with Shankie and McWhirter the scorers. 20-15.

Kilmarnock stepped up a gear with Sam Diamond and Jordan Duncan making ground leading to the ball being moved swiftly to Jamie Shedden who broke through two tackles to score his second try.

Craig McWhirter converted to give Kilmarnock a deserved lead 22-20 after quarter of an hour played.

Morton Sinclair was replaced by Adam Roy and Calum McGeary was replaced by Connor Mackie.

Trailing for the first time in the game the home side mounted a number of attacks which Kilmarnock defended stoutly. The pressure took its toll and with a penalty in front of the posts East Kilbride with the heavier pack opted for a scrum, the number eight picked up and was held, the ruck ball was given to that man Shankie who went over for a try but could not convert, 25-22 to the home side with fifteen minutes to play.

Craig Sheppard replaced Stuart Lauder however he was soon back on the field replacing Chris Milligan.
Kilmarnock went in search of a winning score but were let down by basic handling errors. The referee blew for full time a full five minutes early leaving Kilmarnock licking their wounds.

Captain Ryan Andrews and coach Stuart Pratt reiterated the need to close the gap on fancied teams in the league and this by today’s performance is well on the way to fruition.

More dedication at training was asked for and the players retired along with a faithfull band of supporters for cordials. The latter group heading to a hostelry in Eaglesham.

The second XV also played against East Kilbride and in an untidy match won by the margin of 28-17.