Agony for EK in cupclash
There was heartache for East Kilbride Rugby Club’s under-18s in the quarter-finals of the National Cup on Sunday.
Not only did they concede a late try to rivals Perthshire, they missed a last-gasp penalty to force extra-time.
The day did not start well for EK either. They were 7-0 down after four minutes when they let Perthshire attack up the left wing through some missed tackles, conceding a softish try, which was converted by Murray Orminston.
EK scored their first try after 18 minutes with a superb drive from a line out near the Perthshire line, with Connor Wilson the man in possession when they went over the line.There was no conversion, though, as EK trailed 7-5.
Five minutes later Simon Mukulumani was held up over the line, earning EK a scrum. EK continued to probe and Kieran Noble got a great try, catching a high pass from Mukulumani to dot it down in the right corner.
Again no conversion, albeit both Ethan Aitken’s kicks went close as EK went 10-7 ahead.
Good ball retention finally got its reward when another sharp pass allowed winger Ethan Aitken to dive over for an unconverted try in the right corner.
Excellent play by EK after their typically slow start brought a deserved half time lead of 15-7.
The second half was almost a reverse of the first, however, with Perthshire dominant for long parts of it.
Perthshire kicked a penalty after 43 minutes (10-15) but EK relieved the pressure by winning their first penalty since the half time oranges.
Perthshire’s Ormiston soon kicked another penalty to take the hosts to within two points at 13-15.
A second try for Connor Wilson, in the left corner, was followed by another missed conversion as EK led 20-13.
Perthshire struck back from the restart when EK conceded a softish penalty and, from the line out, Scotland U18 centre James McCaig crashed through the middle untouched for a well worked try. The conversion tied the score at 20-20 after 64 minutes.
Perthshire’s Ormiston kicked a penalty to regain the lead (23-20), last held 61 one minutes previously.
With timing running out EK won a penalty at the death some 40 metres from goal, in front of the Perthshire posts. Up stepped EK kicker Ethan Aitken – but sadly for EK it missed the target and the referee blew for full time.
This was a great cup tie, it ebbed and flowed and there was considerable skill and effort on display from both sides.
EK’s defeat means they now drop down in to the West Regional Cup with a match at Ayr on Saturday.