Endrick win bad-tempered clash

Strathendrick ..... 35 East Kilbride ....... 15

Endrick finished comfortable winners in Saturday’s West Regional Shield cup-tie but had to work hard to subdue a strong visiting side.

The early exchanges were even and it was midway through the half before the first points came from a Sam Greenock penalty.

The lead lasted only a few minutes until EK winger Ian Brown went over at the corner for the opening try.

Endrick were quickly handed another problem when James Cuthbertson was yellow-carded and they had to face the next 10 minutes a man short. Before he returned Brown scored his second try and their number 8 Beaton added the extras to put them 12-3 ahead.

Back at full strength, Endrick were soon on the attack and skipper Angus North skipped through the opposing ranks to score. Greenock’s kick closed the first half with Endrick only two points.

The home side went in front in the first minute of the second half, with Mark Scott battering his way through from distance. Greenock pulled his kick wide but made no mistake shortly after with a penalty.

Beaton narrowed the gap with a successful kick before both sides had players yellow-carded after a heated debate.

Cuthbertson extended Endrick’s lead with a try converted by Sam Greenock before he and his opposing number 8 Beaton were invited by the referee to leave the field and two tries by Fionn Whyte wound up matters.

Endrick are away to Greenock Wanderers in the next round of the Shield.

Before that they start their league programme with their opening fixture on Saturday at home to Stewartry.

The kick off is 3pm.