EK’s last match was on 10 December against AGs. Some five weeks later, they resumed competitive action against the same opposition. The first match was not one of beauty; nothing much changed in round 2.
It was a game of many lowlights (as opposed to highlights). EK’s main achievement was winning, end of story. It was a cold day, it almost turned in to a 3-3 thriller but finally EK triumphed (euphemistically speaking) in the end.
Both sides missed early penalty attempts; offside seemed to be the only infringement of the match. Various potential offences came and went.
EK missed another penalty after 22 minutes. Two minutes later, Shankie kicked a penalty ,for - yes you guessed it - offside. EK defended well against a stuffy team. Side entry at the ruck/maul was now the feature of the day and largely went unpunished.
The only touches of class came from the back of the EK team, where EK’s answer to Rosemary Connelly resumed at full back as if he had never been away. Fraser Stott, usually a scrum half but demonstrating his flexibility, showed various touches of class. Not bad for a 42 year young.
Features of the half included:
• Some great Paul Rosie tackles;
• Good scrambling EK defence;
• Poor line out throws and jumping by EK;
• A quick appearance by prop Chris (Thunders) Mclellan in 2012, only to earn a yellow card for side entry at a ruck midfield;
• 3-3 at half time.
The 2nd half saw an increase if EK’s effort and creativity. Ian Brown had a storming 40 metres run, then shortly after was denied in the right hand corner.
EK survived playing with 14 men, without penalty, albeit they lost 2 strikes against the head in the scrum, one when back to 15 men. EK’s best and most fluid move of the day came after the AG touch judge flagged for a ball in touch.
The touch flag was unseen by the referee and the home side, and ironically EK went three-quarters of the pitch through strong running and great support and linkage only to be dragged back once the touch judge got the ref’s attention.
EK survived a charge down of stand off Shankie’s attempted clearance – only just. Centre Greenfield then missed a penalty from some 35 metres in front of the posts. With Shankie injured, EK’s youthful fullback moved forward to stand off and almost immediately the backs moved with greater fluency.
EK’s winger, Nathan Ross, was bundled in to touch in the right corner. EK continued to press and suddenly a gap appeared for centre Ian Brown to run a good angle and take the ball on for a much needed try. The conversion was missed. EK in the lead 8-3.
Ed Mackenzie then missed a penalty kick, when everyone was asking themselves why was our young kicker, called Stott, not having a go. EK had one final thrust through Calum Aitken, supported by Gary Thornton and Nathan Ross, with the latter yet again forced in to touch in the corner.
The ref blew for fulltime shortly thereafter. A welcome 4 points for EK, a hard afternoon’s viewing for the EK support. Let’s hope for greater creativity next week, when EK travel to face Glasgow Accies.
Man of the match - Fraser Stott. How he got away with his dummies, time and again, to buy him space for his clearances,one can only wonder!
Team: Fraser Stott, Gordon Stevenson, Ian Brown, Robbie Greenfield, Nathan Ross, Scott Shankie, Ian Stevenson, Gary Thornton, Sandy Bruce, Gareth Jones, David Rosie, Paul Rosie, Euan Perry, Calum Aitken, Stephen Millar.
Subs: Ed Mackenie; Chris McLellan; Glen Neilson.
