Shield success for East Kilbride
East Kilbride RFC Under-18s signed off for the season in the best possible fashion after claiming the Glasgow Shield with a comprehensive 32-8 victory over Kilmarnock on the 3G surface in Pollok Park.
The Shield is contested by sides knocked out of the Glasgow Cup in the first round, but considering EK were defeated at this stage by eventual Glasgow champions Ayr in a 14-7 thriller, it shows the quality of this EK team.
As the boys took to the field, eyebrows were raised at the size of the opposition, with Kilmarnock a big unit.
East Kilbride’s confidence was undimmed, though, certain that the slick surface would suit their athleticism, and so it proved.
Once the chunky Kilmarnock pack were dragged from side-to-side a couple of times, space opened up for Harry Taggart to batter over for the opening score.
Kilmarnock got on the board with a penalty but were struggling to retain possession and it was no surprise when Kieran Noble extended EK’s lead just before the half.
The match was over as a contest within 10 minutes of the restart when full-back Ethan Aitken showed the full panoply of his abilities to score twice. The first was down to
vision and footballing skills, regathering his own kick to touch down; the second all about pace.
Concentration lapsed for a moment to allow Killie to cross but the game finished in satisfying fashion for East Kilbride when Ben McLean’s 60-metre run put Callum Field over to secure the silverware.
Such is the nature of junior sport that this team will now break up as many boys progress to the senior club.
However, those remaining in the academy will be boosted by an influx from a strong U-16 side and are likely to be a competitive force again next year.
Elsewhere, the P3s won the season’s opening tournament at Linlithgow to bounce back from losing their unbeaten record last week.
Toughest contest of the day was the opener against the host club, but the 8-5 scoreline doesn’t reflect East Kilbride’s dominance; Jaiden Grimley with a hat-trick and Finlay McKinnon with two particularly catching the eye.
It was then Livingston’s turn to find out how fast and organised their rivals were – EK coming out on top to the tune of 8-4. Zack McQueen, Jack Reddick and Daniel Stoddart dominating the scoring.
The title, and the 100 per cent record, was secured with a 6-2 win over Penicuik. Stephen Orr finally picking up a try after having scores disallowed in each of the first two games.