EK barely turn up at Newton Stewart and lose 10-3

EK 1sts lost 10-3 away to Newton Stewart. The bus got lost en route; the EK
forwards were also lost for much of the game. NS had much greater desire

What does one expect from a Team Manager? EKRFC’s 1st XV Team Manager, Peter
Ferrie, has many qualities (he has told me so many times) but one that he
has consistently struggled with is a sense of direction.

His impersonation of a homing pigeon would not be good. The stories of his
circuitous routes to various Scottish rugby grounds are legion so it is
surprising that he is ever allowed to give directions to himself, let alone
a bus driver.

So it was on Saturday, when Peter was directing the EK bus to Newton
Stewart. A merry time was had by the supporters as they toured all parts of
Dumfries and Galloway, but it clearly did not do much for the players as the
mystery tour meant that the bus turned up just 15 minutes before kick off.

Kick off was delayed 15 minutes but EK never really got out of the starting
blocks. We will never know how much the bus journey contributed to what
amounted to a pretty miserable performance. It was not a great day weather
wise either, and the pitch was pretty heavy and slippy.

EK’s forwards pride themselves on being a tough, strong unit. Sadly they
were second best against a spirited home pack, which regularly demonstrated
a greater spirit and desire. Neither side had, on the day, any sophisticated
backs, indeed it took some 77 minutes before EK winger Alex Irvine touched
the ball.

EK had to make a number of changes from the planned XV – Kenny McDermott
made his 1st XV debut on the left wing and did his best in difficult
circumstances, with limited supply of the ball and many opponents keen to
challenge him all day; Alex Irvine on the other wing and Ross Stewart at
scrum half.

The result might have been different if EK’s father time, Fraser Stott, had
not retired. It was a day when someone needed to galvanise and direct the
forward effort as well as pose a threat round the flanks. Ross Stewart did
his best, receiving slow ball from an often retreating pack, but Stott’s
guile and 24 years rugby additional experience could have steadied the EK
ship. It would also have helped had he been at stand off. Indeed, the ideal
would be him in both the No 9 and No 10 positions!

Sadly, he has retired from serious rugby although reports suggest that he
nearly perished from hypothermia playing for the 2s on Saturday at Hamilton.
It would have been much warmer behind the 1st XV pack at Newton Stewart.
Well, we can dream. In the meantime, I still believe Scott Shankie is our
best option at stand off. Now, does he have a twin..........?

Despite a lame 1st half, EK found themselves level 0-0 at half time. Their
scrum was under pressure, despite being the heavier unit. The EK No 8 needed
to push with his colleagues instead of hang on loosely dreaming of dashing
bursts from the base.

Half time changes bring on Calum Aitken and JB Timmons for Rian Anderson and
Gareth Jones respectively did not change the direction. EK yet again failed
to employ the correct kicking tactics. The referee then decided to help them
by giving a rather harsh yellow card against Newton Stewart for side entry
at the breakdown. Centre Shankie managed to just get the ball over the bar.
EK 3-0 up after 50 minutes.

EK promptly went to sleep at the kick off, the home side seized the ball and
following a penalty, managed to get the ball out to the backs to score a
converted try, while still down a man short.

The referee then gave EK’s Calum Aitken a yellow card for a team
infringement that we still have not worked out “why”. Calum appeared to be
picked at random. Newton Stewart made it 10-3 shortly after following EK’s
failure to move away from a tackle in front of their posts.

As the match ebbed away, EK mounted a last ditch effort to claw the game
back but their sense of direction and incision was as good as Peter Ferrie’s
homing instincts and it all came to nothing. EK’s forwards failed to gell as
a collective unit and we did not follow the second half game plan.

The journey home was a lot shorter as someone told Peter Ferrie Girvan was
worth a visit. Overall, a disappointing display, and a long way for
supporters to travel for very little cheer.

Next week, the 1sts have a blank weekend, while Scotland play France at
Murrayfield. EK are hosting a party of almost 40 people from their French
twin – Chalons sur Champagne – over the weekend. It promises to be a great
weekend, including the traditional rugby match between the two teams which
kicks off at 1.30 pm on Saturday.

Team: 1. Chris McLellan, 2. Rian Anderson, 3. Stephen Millar; 4. Ally
Dalgleish, 5. Paul Rosie (C), 6. Gareth Jones, 7. Sandy Bruce, 8. Craig
Ferguson Junior, 9. Ross Stewart, 10. Robbie Greenfield, 11. Kenny
McDermott, 12. Graeme Blackwood, 13. Scott Shankie, 14. Alex Irvine, 15. Ed
Mackenzie. Bench: Calum Aitken, Calum Hastie, JB Timmons.

 

By Malcolm MacDonald