Depleted EK suffer a setback
KILMARNOCK ......................................... 19 EAST KILBRIDE ........................................ 18 RICHARD BEATON
Having been pulled into the promotion mix on the back of Garnock’s win at high-flying Allan Glens last week, East Kilbride had a great opportunity to embellish their credentials at top of the table Kilmarnock on Saturday.
Unfortunately, an uneven showing by a makeshift backline saw the opportunity squandered as East Kilbride fell to only their second defeat of the campaign, despite outscoring their hosts by three tries to one.
EK were dominant up front, forcing the Kilmarnock pack to endure a torrid afternoon.
In the wider channels though it was a different matter with an EK line-up minus Scott Shankie, Aidan Stott and Iain Brown a far less menacing proposition than normal.
Not unexpectedly, a backline lacking it’s three main strike weapons presented Kilmarnock with few problems, but what must have disappointed head coach Allan Steel was a lack of defensive cohesion.
To a degree, this can be explained away by the unfamiliar line-up, but the guys train together every week and the basic principles of defensive organisation remain consistent regardless of who is standing beside you.
Big tackles in midfield may make it onto YouTube, but the key part of any defensive unit is working together and communication, and by ignoring these facets EK allowed Kilmarnock an outlet they should have been denied.
An organised defence would have permitted EK to keep things tight and funnel the game through their dominant, belligerent pack.
It is no surprise that the EK tries came from front-row forwards, with the unstoppable Jonno Ford crossing twice and Robbie Jaap celebrating his first cap for the Scottish Police side during the week with a rare touchdown.
Despite the disjointed performance EK should still have taken the points, such was their dominance up front, and a number of missed kicks, simple kicks, by the normally reliable Grant Dryburgh rubbed salt in the wounds.
It leaves East Kilbride sitting sixth in West Division One and they now trail table -topping Kilmarnock by 14 points, having played three games fewer.
This Saturday East Kilbride will look to bounce back when they host bottom of the table Strathendrick at the Torrance House Arena, kick-off 2pm.