Sharper tactics pay off as EK coast to victory

Sep 13 2006 By Richard Beaton, East Kilbride News

EAST Kilbride recorded their first victory of the season on Saturday with a 27-10 win over a poor Grangemouth side at Torrance House.

To embellish the day they also picked up their first four-try bonus point of the campaign.

An impressive first 40 minutes virtually ended the game as a contest, with the home side running in three tries.

Winger Gary Thornton scored a smashing solo effort, Stu Adam picked up his first of the year and prop Grant Frogley who, as front row boys do, carries the sobriquet “Coo”, scored the other.

Grangemouth played a little rugby in the first 20 minutes of the second period, but never looked likely to come close and EK finished the stronger, with Thornton picking up his second try, thereby securing the bonus point.

EK approached the game with a simplified game plan. The strategy was for the forwards to carry the ball through a maximum of three phases before releasing the ball to the backs going forward, rather than give the static possession that they have become used to.

In turn, the half-backs were to make quicker decisions, and if there is nothing on then the ball is kicked to the corner.

Central to being able to execute this strategy was a performance from the pack, and they did not disappoint.

Particularly impressive were the second row pairing of Ally Dalgleish and Paul Rosie.

The 18-year-old Rosie excelled in carrying out the dirty jobs, while Dalgleish got about the park to considerable effect, having perhaps his best-ever game in an EK jersey.

Scrum-half Ian Stevenson also impressed and his ability to mix up the game kept the visitors’ back-row tied to the set-piece, which in turn allowed space out wide, and for once the backs actually made use of their freedom, with Adam and Thornton looking dangerous.

This Saturday EK take a trip back in time as they visit Tillicoultry to face Hillfoots.

TEAM: 1. Frogley, 2. B. Blackwood, 3. McKinnon (captain), 4. Dalgleish, 5. Rosie, 6. C. Ferguson (I), 7. Watson, 8. Steel, 9. Stevenson, 10. Stott, 11. MacDonald, 12. McQueen, 13. Adam, 14. Thornton, 15. A. Blackwood.

Replacements, all used, McClelland, Wood and C. Ferguson (II).

The reserves endured another painful Saturday, going down by 43-3 at home to Cartha Queens Park.

Although the forwards contested well, the backs were outclassed by a slick city outfit.

A try within a minute of the kick-off in either half set the tone, and it is a credit to the home side that they restricted Cartha to four tries in the other 78 minutes. Things do not get any easier this weekend when EK undertake the short journey to Hamilton.

Best performance of the weekend was given by the under-16s on Sunday, when they travelled to Bishopbriggs to play a very large and physical Allan Glens outfit.

After weathering a 15-minute storm at the start, EK played their opponents off the park, and the scoreline of 28-0 does not truly reflect the dominance of the visitors.

Stevie “Superstar” Turnbull scored twice, with Cameron Simpson and Scott Shankie also crossing.

All four tries were converted, two by Robbie Greenfield and the other two by his cousin Ryan “Heid” Sleigh.

Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of the day was that the East Kilbride coaches were able to pick from 24 players, and all got considerable game time.

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