EK RUGBY CLUB BACK IN THE GROOVE
Steel strengthed his side against Ayrshire rivals
East Kilbride Rugby Club bounced back from last weekend’s disappointing loss at Garnock with a win over previously high-flying Kilmarnock.
And victory was more comprehensive than the scoreline would suggest.
The Ayrshire side were buoyed by running up over 100 points last Saturday against Oban Lorne.
But the suspicion is that the cricket score said more about Oban’s struggles than Kilmarnock’s BT West League Division One promotion prospects.
Returning East Kilbride head coach Alan Steel made a couple of changes in response to the Garnock result – the most significant being the introduction of Scottish rugby’s smallest No 8 forward, Scott Shankie.
The versatile back row, who can play at centre, makes full use of his short but incredibly powerful frame which, allied to explosive pace, is a nightmare for opposition forwards to bring down.
Power was the order of the day for East Kilbride.
Whilst Kilmarnock were a chunky lot, they could not cope with East Kilbride’s strength in the scrum and the home side’s advantage here led directly to three of their four tries.
Shankie was at tiller for one of the tries with Paul Rosie also scoring; the referee awarded a penalty try as Kilmarnock struggled to cope legally.
Just to let everyone know there actually were backs playing, Robbie Greenfield touched down for East Kilbride’s fourth try.
This Saturday, East Kilbride face a big challenge when they travel to unbeaten league leaders Allan Glen’s.
The Bishopbriggs side have topped the 50-point mark in all three of their contests to date and won 76-14 at Oban Lorne on Saturday.
Allan Glen’s are a point clear of second-placed Carrick who beat Cambuslang 20-7.
A 24-16 triumph sees Garnock in third place with Kilmarnock and East Kilbride in behind before Greenock complete the top half of the standings.
The Wanderers were 46-0 winners at home to Helensburgh. East Kilbride XV team: Mclellan, Anderson, E Beaton (c), Dalgleish, Rosie, R Beaton, Irvine, Shankie, Stott, B Blackwood, Macfie, Greenfield, Ferguson, Murray, Ellison.
Results for Saturday, September 16:
Annan 23 Irvine 13; Cambuslang 7 Carrick 20; East Kilbride 24 Kilmarnock 17; Garnock 24 Stewartry 16; Greenock 46 Helensburgh 0; Oban Lorne 14 Allan Glen’s 76.
Fixtures for Saturday, September 23:
Allan Glen’s v East Kilbride, Annan v Oban Lorne, Carrick v Irvine, Garnock v Greenock, Helensburgh v Cambuslang, Kilmarnock v Stewartry.