The weather meant that this match was always going to be a game of two halves. Moved to the Marr College pitches due to the weather, there was a good size crowd on a horrible day. Marr must have been expecting a bonus point win but, in the end, were probably relieved to have claimed the four points.
The match start was delayed due to the change of venue and then briefly when the referee forgot one important item of his equipment – his whistle! He retrieved it quickly from the dressing rooms.
EK had to make a couple of late changes in their team at 2nd row, when Craig Ferguson Junior called off with a cold, which meant skipper Paul Rosie moved up from the bench, with youngster Glen Neilson taking his place as a sub. And Paul’s brother, David, joined him in the second row, replacing Ally Dalgleish – this was somewhat unexpected, but while David had gone out the night before (instead of staying in like the rest of the team?!) he put in a great shift on the park.
Marr played with the wind in the first half, but neither side displayed any real intelligence in seeking to use the elements. Kicking from both teams was generally wayward throughout.
Marr had most of the early pressure, and tried to use their sprightly backs despite the weather. The home side took the lead having established position in the EK 22 from a fumble. Following pressure at two scrums, they scored a try when they might have had a forward penalised for offside. After a forward drive, the ball went out the backs to claim the five pointer. The conversion made it 7-0.
EK responded with some strong forward drives, with Paul Rosie to the fore and Marr looking a little under pressure. However, this position was wasted by a chip through the defence when it seemed more sensible to keep the ball in hand.
Marr’s handling and passing was not crisp, but let’s blame the weather for this. Marr were held up over the EK line after 20 minutes, following a line out and forward drive- a try seemed a certainty but the Marr forwards lost their composure instead of continuing to trundle forward, although perhaps the scrum half should have directed them better.
EK won the first half penalty count 6-2 but unfortunately did not use their opportunities to advance up field, twice failing to find touch with penalty kicks down the line. They conceded 3 points from a penalty when an EK player got isolated with the ball in a charge from the base of a defensive scrum. Score 10-0.
Again EK responded with some strong forward drives, but Captain Paul Rosieaggravated his recent shoulder injury and went off, to be replaced after 27 minutes by Sandy Bruce, with Craig Ferguson Senior moving up into the 2nd row.
EK had to defend desperately at times, but managed to survive the half only 10-0 down. There was one memorable tackle by Gareth Jones who cut the Marr left winger in two with a pile driver.
It was a competitive match with most of the action confined to the forwards. EK’s eight were playing well, and the coach must have felt confident of an upset if we could use the elements in the second half.
EK got off to the perfect start. After a break by the svelte Graeme Blackwood (well, that’s how he describes himself to friend - deliberately singular!) which saw him lose the ball near the Marr line, EK then managed to disrupt a defensive Marr scrum. While the Marr support was claiming for all sorts of EK interference,Gareth Jones got the ball over the line for a try, converted by Scott Shankie. 10-7 after 43 minutes.
Marr tried to run the ball back at EK. This worked at times. They secured a penalty some 30 metres out after an EK offside but the kick- into a strong wind hit the bottom of the post and EK scrambled it clear. Robbie Greenfield then saved a certain try with a fantastic tap tackle after the Marr backs combined well to put their right winger away.
EK resorted to the youth policy, by replacing winger Gordon Stevenson with Andy (Duk) MacDonald. EK were working hard to establish position, with some mighty work in the scrum by their auxiliary second rows and the eight collectively. Their good work created an opportunity for No 8 Gary Thornton to go flying down the right wing but the ref penalised EK for interference at the resultant ruck.
EK’s forwards were toiling magnificently but two penalties in quick succession relieved the pressure on the home side. This was followed by a moment of madness. When it looked as if a Marr player should have been penalised for not moving away from the contact area, the referee penalised EK. Scrum half Ian Stevenson petulantly kicked the ball away, and was promptly yellow carded. Sheer stupidity.
The irony was winger Fraser Little moved in to cover scrum half and gave a superb cameo performance, testing his opponent and probing for opportunities.
Marr increased their lead when the referee mysteriously penalised EK at a ruck when the ball seemed to be out and securely in Marr hands. 13-7 after 67 minutes.
EK still felt confident that they could seize a victory and threw everything in to the last quarter. Captain Paul Rosie emerged from intensive care, despite his sore shoulder, while Ian Stevenson returned to the fray after his spell on the naughty step. In the 75th minute, Glen Neilson replaced flanker cum second row Craig Ferguson Senior who had grafted hard all day.
EK pressed hard for a score. After good work by the forwards, Graeme Blackwood somehow managed to throw a horrendous pass at the feet of wingerFraser Little when, had he managed a safe transfer, there was a very strong chance of an EK try.
EK continued to press the Marr line but somehow managed to guddle the final opportunity by trying to pass the ball instead of concentrating on another forward drive.
The referee blew for full time soon after, much to the relief of the Marr support. EK played well, showed great team spirit, particularly in the forwards (who in their right mind would want to be a back on a day like yesterday?) but lack of tactical nous/an old head again proved their ultimate downfall.
One a horrible day, EK in the 2nd half should have opted for route one – kick the ball deep in the Marr half, pressurise and look for opportunities. We sadly kicked badly and never gave ourselves any consistent position or territory. A close loser bonus point was welcome as few teams will gain this at Marr but given the elements and the pack’s capability, we really let a win slip away.
But if EK can continue to show this spirit and maintain their forward drives, they can still feel confident of clawing their way into the top four in the league.
Man of the Match- a hard one to call, as lots of EK forwards did well, but I give it to David Rosie for his hard graft in a match that he never expected to play in. Well done!
Next week, EK are meant to be away to Allan Glen’s in Bishopbriggs, in a match rearranged from earlier in the season due to a flooded pitch. But with Allan Glen’s match yesterday postponed due to ground conditions, there must be a strong chance that the game won’t go ahead. Let’s hope for the best. Watch the website for news.
Captain Rosie should, however, think about resting his shoulder and seeking to come back fully fit when the leagues resume on 14 January.
Team: Chris Mclellan, Calum Aitken, Stephen Millar, David Rosie, Paul Rosie,Gareth Jones, Craig Ferguson Senior, Gary Thornton, Ian Stevenson, Scott Shankie, Fraser Little, Graeme Blackwood, Robbie Greenfield, Gordon Stevenson, Ed Mackenzie. Replacements (all used): Glen Neilson, Sandy Bruce, Andy MacDonald.
