Kilmarnock welcomed Garnock to Bellsland yesterday, Saturday 5th October on a cold autumn afternoon under a slate grey sky. The two teams served up a feast of Rugby that warmed both the home and visiting fans.

The game started with a few scrappy exchanges in the middle of the field, only incident of note was a penalty against Kilmarnock for a Christopher Milligan infringement that came to nothing.

In the 8th minute Kilmarnock found themselves driving forward, Scott Brown took possession and placed a perfectly flighted kick deep into Garnock territory. Kilmarnock were not able to take advantage from the resulting line out.

10 minutes in tempers boiled over after Jordan Duncan put Garnocks number 13 under pressure right on the Garnock 5 meter line. In the resulting melee handbags at 10 paces were in evidence. Once things were calmed down referee Alistair Steven delivered his verdict on the episode - red card to Garnocks number 13, Jordan Duncan and Garnocks number 3 were yellow carded.

Things carried on to be feisty with a few tasty exchanges. However, Kilmarnock were unable to take immediate advantage of being a man up. Kilmarnock only drive of note was finished by a careless penalty given away for hands on the deck.

After 21 minutes, Garnock broke out and pressurised Kilmarnock into conceding a line out half way inside their own half. From the line out Garnock showed some slick passing and were awarded a penalty. They played the advantage from the breakdown with Garnock number 10 scoring under the posts. Try was converted by Garnock 12.

Garnock 7 Kilmarnock 0

After 22 minutes Garnock are awarded a penalty for Kilmarnock going over the top. Tempers were still bubbling and Kilmarnock captain Ryan Andrews pleaded for his players to calm down lest they present the referee with an opportunity to reduce Kilmarnock to 14 men.

Shortly after Craig Sheppard make a promising break but unfortunately lost the ball on a heavy contact.

30 minutes in, Kilmarnock are penalised for hands on the deck. From the penalty, Garnock put the ball right into the corner putting the home side in real danger right before the break. Garnock won the line out, their number five crossed in at the corner to score. The conversion from a tight angle was missed.

Garnock 12 Kilmarnock 0.

Just before the half time whistle, Garnock won a turnover, however they were penalised for not releasing. The penalty was put into touch in a promising position for Kilmarnock to reduce the deficit. The line out however, was not straight and scrum was awarded to Garnock. Garnock won the ball, and kicked into touch for the half to end.

Half Time Kilmarnock 0 Garnock 12

The beginning of the second half, Kilmarnock seemed rejuvenated - probably from half time talk with coach Stuart Pratt. They seemed more confident going forward. Surely they can make their man advantage count.

After 50 minutes Frazer Corrance made a probing kick forward which rolled agonisingly over the dead ball line, with Jamie Sheddan just short of catching the ball to score. From the resultant drop out Garnock failed to kick properly and Kilmarnock were awarded the scrum. Kilmarnock won the scrum, and a sharp break from Ryan Andrews with precise offload found Jordan Duncan who scored easily just to the left of the posts. Conversion was missed unfortunately.

Kilmarnock 5 Garnock 12

Confidence is growing. in the 57th minute a long clearance from Kilmarnock is swiftly returned by Garnock. Kilmarnock number 14 Christopher Milligan made a commanding catch in mid air and swiftly drove forward with purpose. The offload was perfectly weighted, and Alan Spiers showed a clean pair of heals to side step the Garnock defence and score under the posts. The conversion from the try scorer was successful.

Kilmarnock 12 Garnock 12

59 minutes Kilmarnock have their tails up and are pounding the tiring Garnock defence. Frazer Corrance made a 5 meter charge and tried to sell a dummy, but was stopped in his tracks. Referee Alistair Steven took exception to the tackle and awarded Kilmarnock a penalty which they elected to kick. Craig McWhirter calmly slotted over to put Kilmarnock in the lead for the first time.

Kilmarnock 15 Garnock 12

64th minute Garnock are showing signs of a second wind. A dangerous break finds its way wide to the Garnock number 14 who is breaking for the corner. His progress is slowed by the the Kilmarnock defence, giving Jamie Sheddan time to sprint in at an angle and make what is surely a try saving tackle, taking both players into touch. Such was the force of the tackle, Jamie and the winger probably stopped sliding somewhere around Titchfield Street.

And so we moved into the last 10 minutes of the game. Garnock sense that once last push could at least get them within kicking range. Kilmarnock won a line out in the 73rd minute. The throw was judged to be not straight. Fortunately, Garnock were not able to capitalise on the resulting scrum.

In the final play of the game, Garnock were pressing forward and the home side were defending valiantly. Kilmarnock veteran David McLoed came on to replace Morton Sinclair to bolster the defence. The home crowd held their breath as Garnock edged forward. In the last play of the game the pack formed a maul just short of the line. As the home fans looked on and perhaps expected to see the referees arm go up for a try, the final whistle sounded as Kilmarnock were deemed to have held the ball up long enough for the play to be deemed at an end.

A fantastic afternoon ended with a deserved Kilmarnock win.

Final score Kilmarnock 15 Garnock 12

Man of the match Stuart McFadzean

Next week Kilmarnock travel to Cambuslang, where they will be confident after beating the Glasgow side 61-19 last month.