EK cruise is a boost ahead of opener
East Kilbride .... 26 Dalziel ............. 12
East Kilbride Rugby Club concluded their pre-season prep with an encouraging victory over Dalziel at a decidedly autumnal Torrance House.
Despite their eventual relegation, EK had managed the Premier Three double over the Motherwell side last season but this was a far more comprehensive win than either of those games.
Tries for Mark Ellison, Roddy Beaton and two for Scott Shankie — with Bert Blackwood adding the extras — gave the home side a comfortable cushion, while the solid defence limiting Dalziel to two touchdowns.
The EK pack looked strong, constantly presenting Aidan Stott with the controlled possession which allowed the impressive young scrum-half to keep the backline moving.
Perhaps most encouragingly for East Kilbride, an influx of new and returning players over the summer means that there is genuine competition for places across the board, while previously barren areas, front row in particular, have apparent strength in depth.
This Saturday, East Kilbride open their league campaign with a trip to Oban, kick-off 2pm.
Meanwhile, the club’s junior sides also finished their studies over the weekend in advance of the start of league duties with a series of games against Cartha Queens Park.
The Under-18s travelled to the south side and proved too strong for their hosts, running out 36-5 victors.
Sam Connery opened the scoring for EK following good work from Kieran Noble and Sam Page added a second to close out the first period. Harry Taggart got things moving in the second half with East Kilbride’s third, Grant Dryburgh, Gordon Noon and captain Connor Wilson rounding out the scoring.
The under-16s had a similarly gentle afternoon. Cartha proved a little lightweight at this age grade and EK came home with a comprehensive 38-0 win under their belts.
East Kilbride’s powerful midfielders, Lewis Brown and Euan Ross, proved a real handful all day. Neither was terribly minded to pass but their strong running generally rendered this affectation unnecessary.
Brown scored three, Ross two and full-back Callum Wright added the sixth, with Fraser Jackson kicking the remainder.
Sunday was a harder shift though for the U-15s who struggled with Cartha’s ability to rotate their large squad.
EK acquitted themselves well but their visitors eventually prevailed 19-11. Connor Speirs, Euan Stirling and Cameron McMillan ran in the tries, Ethan Aitken converting two of them.
The Under-13s could only muster 11 players, as did opponents Cartha.
However, EK had by far the better of proceedings, with Adam Ross, Callum Ferrie, Ruariadh Patrick and Ryan Moghrabbi topping the try charts.