FIRST DEFEAT FOR EK RUGBY CLUB
East Kilbride remain top despite first loss of term
Just as one knows that Christmas is around the corner and no amount of ‘Bah-ing’ and ‘Humbug-ing’ will wish it away, so Saturday brought the inevitable first defeat of the season to East Kilbride Rugby Club.
Fittingly, it came at the hands of Carrick, for in truth September’s away victory over the Ayrshire side was the season’s high point in terms of performance and it has been downhill since; a view widely shared throughout the club over the last couple of months.
The fact that East Kilbride have managed to stay top of the table, indeed still do so albeit Newton Stewart will go above them if they win their game in hand, is testimony to an ability to grind out results when not playing well.
However, Carrick are too good a side to face when not 100 per cent.
The visitors had clearly studied tape of the September contest and negated EK’s forward power through outstanding defence.
Time and again the likes of Rosie and Shankie were chopped down before they could build momentum and Carrick had a clear edge around the tackle area, turning EK ball over repeatedly.
Unfortunately, East Kilbride seemed to have no Plan B when it became obvious that their power-game was not going to work and it was the Ayrshire side that played the better rugby.
There is no doubt that the defeat has been waiting in the wings.
Performances have been poor through most of October and November and any number of warning signs, draws with Newton Stewart and particularly Kilmarnock being the most obvious illustrations not acted upon.
The physical approach has carried EK most of the way but to win tight games something else is required and EK have been found lacking for some time now.
The pack are not producing much away from the scrum and the backs, so potent early in the season, have regressed to the point that they are being outplayed most weeks, as they certainly were on Saturday.
There is no let-up this weekend as Fraser Watt’s side travel to fourthplaced Garnock. Kick-off is 2pm.
TEAM: 1. Mclellan, 2. E. Beaton, 3. Watt, 4. S. Ferguson, 5. P. Rosie, 6. Middleton, 7. O’Neill, 8. Shankie, 9. Stott, 10. B. Blackwood, 11. R. Beaton, 12. Dixon (captain), 13. Green, 14. Murray, 15. Ellison.
Replacements: Anderson, McLaren, Greenfield, C. Ferguson Snr.
Meanwhile, there was better news for East Kilbride’s reserves as they claimed a victory on the road.
They remained top of the league following a 36-12 win in Glasgow over Hillhead / Jordanhill.
Stevie McKinnon and Chris Quinn both touched down twice and there were singles from Alex Irvine and Gavin Meikle, along with three conversions from Patrick Quigg, to see EK home comfortably.