Rugby Juniors dominate opponents

Nov 21 2012 by Richard Beaton, East Kilbride News

With East Kilbride Rugby Club’s first XV having no game at the weekend and the Reserve’s scheduled contest with West of Scotland cancelled due to Milngavie’s shortage of bodies, all attention was focused on the juniors on Sunday.

The under-15’s travelled down the hill to Hamilton and endured a torrid opening ten minutes with the home side very much in the ascendancy. However, East Kilbride’s defence was resolute and they kept Hamilton at bay before turning things round and completely dominating, with the pack on top and the backs putting together some slick handling moves.

There were tries from Paul Cairncross (2), Sam Hume (2), Lewis McFie, James McKinnon, Cammy Horner, Gregor Haggerty and a first in two years of trying for Euan McMahon.

The S1/S2 squad travelled to Biggar and encountered a typically powerful set of farming lads who had too much muscle for EK, winning 32-7, with a Callum Connelly-Tannock try and an Ethan Aitken conversion for EK.

To add to the physical challenge, this was the first time that East Kilbride had played in a game with live scrummaging and, despite conceding both poundage and experience, EK came out on top in this facet of the game. EK hooker Morgan McDuff annoyed the hosts no end by stealing possession on numerous occasions.

Meanwhile, the P7’s maintained their long unbeaten run after two games in Ayrshire. A strong first half against Cumnock, during which EK built a 4-0 lead, was spoiled somewhat by a less than impressive second period which the Ayrshire side shaded but still left EK victors by 6-3. Euan Ferrie and Liam Madden top scored for EK.

The second game, against Kilmarnock, was far more comfortable, with Matthew Smith and Jamie Robb prominent amongst the scorers, as well as a first ever try for newest recruit Osama Maghrabi, seeing EK home 11-1.

Another unbeaten day was posted by the Primary Six side, with a comprehensive 10-1 victory over Cumnock to start, with the hat-tricks of Lucas Aitken and Ewan Mossman catching the eye. The second game, against a physical Kilmarnock unit, was a much closer affair.

EK led 3-1 at half-time with Rory Blackwood, Callum Currie and Cameron MacMillan crossing. This was the end of the scoring though as defences were very much on top during the second period.

The Primary Fours opened against an enormous Cumnock side, but were far too quick and skilful for their bulky opponents, winning 14-4, Callum Ferrie, Robert Mathieson and Ross Macmillan sharing the tries.

An even larger Cumnock P5 side were up next and although EK struggled to cope with the size differential, they still managed to fight out a 4-4 draw.

The final opponents on the day were a useful Kilmarnock unit, and EK’s 7-2 victory was founded on their tremendous defence, with Ben Everett and Ruiraidh Patrick to the fore.

EK’s senior side return to action on December 1.