Elaine Martin is to be congratulated for purchasing, for the 1st XV, reversible strips that enabled them to play in red and avoid a clash of colours.

On a bright sunny afternoon Annan kicked off to set the second fixture of this season between them and East Kilbride (EK) underway. A misfield by an EK player led to a series of mistakes giving Annan their first opportunity to attack. They chose to kick for touch from a penalty to force a line-out close to the EK line. EK defended stoutly, so the score remained a nil all. It was then EK's turn to attack. The home defence was well stretched until, with 20 minutes of the game gone, Mark Donnachie broke through for a try converted by Rory Blackwood. Annan's kick off was, once again, misfielded. The home side took advantage of possession regained to mount a further attack on the EK line and were rewarded with a try in the 25th minute of the game. A successful conversion levelled the scores, but it was then that EK seized the initiative starting with a devastating break down the middle of the park by Alex Irvine. Annan offended at the ensuing breakdown giving Rory Blackwood an opportunity to put EK ahead, but his kick drifted wide of the posts. EK's assault on the Annan line continued resulting in a try from a driving maul with Ben McLean claiming the touchline. EK had, by this time, a five point lead which was extended to 12 when Evan Martin outpaced the opposition before passing to Roddy Beaton who scored the try which Rory Blackwood converted.

As they entered the second period with a twelve point lead things were looking good for EK, and their confidence took a further boost when Rory Blackwood weaved his way through the Annan defence to provide a further five points. Annan, however, had not given up. They launched an assault on the EK line which provided them with a second try, duly converted and, when a high kick to the corner from Rory Blackwood's boot failed to fall into EK hands, as was clearly intended, it was duly gathered by the home full-back who, with the whole EK team involved in the attack, ran a full 75 metres unopposed to touch down between the sticks. The conversion brought the Annan score to 21, just 3 short of EK's. The final few minutes of the game were intense as EK attacked before conceding a penalty that allowed Annan to clear their lines. With the game drawing to a close EK regained possession and kicked the ball off the field to end the game.

Supporting EK is not easy! With 50 minutes of this game played EK led by 17 points and their supporters were already thinking of the next round of the SRU National Shield. Annan, however, had different ideas and with 5 minutes of the game left EK were holding on to a 3 point lead. There are times when it pays to be adventurous, to take chances. When something comes off everyone smiles, but when it doesn't everyone questions the wisdom of the decision taken. When Rory's high kick was fielded by the Annan full back who then had a clear run to the EK line most EK supporters on the touchline were questioning his decision. Had it come off and provided a try scoring opportunity that would have given EK a bigger lead the visitors on the touchline, and probably players on the field, would have celebrated. But it didn't, with the result that EK had to defend a slender lead during the closing minutes of the game. This kick was not such a bad idea in itself, but it wasn't such a good idea at a time when EK's game should have involved holding on to possession as the clock wound down. Overall this was a good performance, and a considerably better one than that of the earlier contest against Annan. Roddy Beaton returned from suspension to pose questions of the opposition with some useful runs and his back row companions, David McGiven and Juan Hodgkinson carried the ball to the opposition to set up useful attacking positions. They were, of course, ably assisted in this, by front and second row forwards, Chris (Thunders) McLellan, Harry Taggart, who had a few bullocking runs into opposition territory, and Alistair Marriott whose ball winning on the deck helped EK to claim possession of the ball. Alex Irvine and Ben McLean have both been mentioned above for their contributions. In the backs wingers Craig McNeil and Robert Calderwood defended well but did not see as much of the ball as they would have wished! Centres Matthew Brown and Mark Donnachie ran strongly always asking questions of the opposition, and Robbie Greenfield, coming on as a replacement for the injured Mark Donnachie, showed that he still has much to offer. Rory Blackwood showed, once again, that he can be hero and villain on the same day! His try was superbly taken while his high kick to the corner failed to achieve what it was intended to. Evan Martin, moved to full back for this game, adapted well to this position with his pace being a telling factor that led to EK's third try scored by Roddy Beaton. Maybe Evan will be the Blair Kinghorn of EKRFC! The player of the match this week though is a young man who joined the club this year. Justin Ludick has shown in recent weeks that he has the full set of skills required of a good scrum half. He passes well and, in the last couple of games, has put in some hard tackles and kicked effectively from the base of the scrum. He has also shown that he can, when the opportunity comes his way, run at the opposition making holes in their defence.

It's back to league rugby next Saturday when near neighbours, Strathaven, will be the visitors at Torrance House. Last senior honours were even so we can expect a competitive match. The kick off will be at 3 p.m. EK's next game in the SRU shield will take place, at Torrance House, on Saturday when Wigtownshire will be the visitors. The kick off on that day will be at 1.30 p.m.