On a cold blustery day at last Saturday Strathendrick RFC were the opposition and Bellsland was fortress as the home side kept the visitors at bay winning the game 26-0.

The Fintry side took control of possession for much of the opening quarter with Kilmarnock resolute in defence but on the back foot.

Kilmarnock full back Robbie Colman fielded a Strathendrick kick and returned the ball wth a kick and chase to force the visitors to kick to touch.

Niall Murphy was hoisted and collected the ball to allow scrum half Ryan Andrews to release the three quarters, Spiers to Shedden to Ferguson who passed to winger Chris Milligan who passed back to Andy Ferguson who rounded the last defender to score a try in the fourteenth minute. Stand-off Allan Spiers converted 7.0.

Connor Mackie took the restart kick and from the ruck centre Jamie Shedden made ground but was held in the midfield, in the next two phases full back Colman was released in attack followed by Spiers linking with hooker Stewart Lauder who popped the ball to Chris Milligan, the burly winger who sped goalwards and was tackled short of the line but was able to offload the ball to second row forward Niall Murphy who crashed over for a try. Allan Spiers’ conversion hit the post leaving Kilmarnock 12-0 in the lead after seventeen minutes.

Kilmarnock were dominant for the next ten minutes with Robbie Colman coming close to scoring only passing to a Strathendrick player close to the line. The pressure paid off and afterb half anhour prop Craig Sheppard burst through and from the ruck Kilmarnock drove forward and the ball was recycled through Jamie Shedden whose timely pass saw Andy Ferguson waltz through for his second try much to the delight of the home crowd including his grandfather Jock Campbell. Allan Apiers converted 17-0 to the home side.

Connor Mackie was replaced by Stewart Docherty at loosehead prop.

In the closing minutes of the half Strathendrick had the bulk of possession with Kilmarnock conceding a number of penalties.

Half time and the rain came on.

Robbie Colman was replaced by Craig McWhirter

Whether the weather conditions dampened Kilmarnock’s or they were resting on their laurels the second half performance from the homeside was rather lacklustre. Granted Strathendrick upped their game but the prospect of a fourth bonus point try looked unlikely.

The Kilmarnock scrum was under pressure from the heavier opposition and midway through the half a refreshed Connor Mackie returned to the game and later Josh Cooper came on to play at scrum half.

The Kilmarnock error rate went up and from a blatant forward pass Strathendrick cleared to touch for a Kilmarnock lineout on their own five metre line. With only a few minutes remaining Sean McCafferty and Niall Murphy won the ball, Cooper to Shedden to Ferguson and then Chris Milligan raced 40metres upfield, the ball went loose in the tackle and up popped Ryan Andres who collected the ball and romped home from 40 metres out to score below the posts.

Allan Spiers converted , scoreline 26-0, bonus point in the bag.

Calum McGeary came on at prop replacing Craig Sheppard and was soon in the thick of the action for the remaining couple of minutes.
The game ending with Allan Spiers kicking to touch.

Captain Ryan Andrews asked his players to look at the scoreboard, zero for the opposition, there were a few lapses but the team stuck to the task and achieved the result of a five point bonus win.

Coach Stuart Pratt asked did you play well? – unanimous reply.
“Luck was on our side at times, a bit of a learning curve give yourselves a pat on the back” he said, and asked his charges to give the President a hearty vote of thanks for his efforts on the day.

The second fifteen played hosts to bottom of the league West of Scotland and suffered a fairly heavy defeat and it was noted their 1st XV did not have a fixture.

There is no league rugby next week as the Rugby World Cup Final takes place at 9.00am on Saturday 2nd November. Why not come out to Bellsland for your breakfast and a cordial to watch the game and boost the club funds. I know who I’ll be supporting.

The next home match for the Kilmarnock 1st XV is on Saturday 9th November 2019 with a 2.00pm kick-off.

Please come and support your local team as a healthy vocal crowd seems to inspire the players on the pitch.
Be there !!!

Bill Barnaby Japan survivor.
07719-567-401