With 4 converted tries, two in each half, to a penalty try awarded when the Oban Lorne (OL) scrum illegally halted an East Kilbride (EK) drive towards the hosts line OL ran out winners by 28 points to 7.

With rain tumbling down a much changed EK XV took the field against an OL side which has an impressive home record. The home side got proceedings underway underway and EK were soon on the defensive. Penalties conceded by EK gave OL attacking opportunities from line outs close to the EK line. EK's defence held firm for 15 minutes but penalties conceded then and 12 minutes later gave OL , who chose to kick to the corner to set up attacking line outs, a 14 point lead at the end of the first period of play.

EK kicked off to get the second half underway, but it was OL that opened the scoring when their right wing touched down in the corner. Justin Ludick's crunching tackle, one of many he delivered during the match, almost prevented the score. Had this game been played at a higher level the Television Match Official (TMO) may have been called upon to adjudicate, but on this occasion no such assistance was available to the referee. With touch judges, who have limited responsibilities, provided by the teams all decisions must be the sole responsibility of the referee.

15 minutes later OL increased their lead with their 4th, bonus point try, converted by their very reliable kicker. This was how the score remained into the final quarter of the game by which time EK looked the more lively of the teams on the field. There was, however, a mountain to be climbed, and although EK's attack was rewarded when OL offended repeatedly, earning a yellow card for one of their forwards, and the referee awarded EK a penalty try, this was not enough to turn the game in EK's favour. OL held out for the remainder of the match and EK did not add to their seven points.

In many ways the scoreline does not reflect the EK performance. Unfortunately promising attacks, such as the 75 metre run by Alex Irvine that took the game into the OL 22 did not produce points and far too often the ball was turned over when EK were penalised for offences at the breakdown. For most of the game EK defended stoutly. Justin Ludick put in some crunching tackles and his kicking from hand did much to relieve the pressure on the EK line. The line out functioned well and for most of the game the scrum held its own against a pack which, man for man, clearly outweighed the Torrance House outfit. Player of the match? - for his work in defence and attack the coaches voted for Mark Donachie (available to sponsor) who is this week's EK player of the match.

From a season that started promisingly with 3 wins from 3 games EK's position in Arnold Clark West Region League Division 1 has slipped from 3rd to 6th. This latter period has been difficult for coaches as injuries and other factors have denied them key players, so, they have had to dig deeply into a fairly small pool. This was very apparent on Saturday when veterans, Alasdair Dalgleish and Craig Ferguson, were called into action.

Next Saturday, 5th October, EK travel to Annan, to play them in the first round of the SRU Shield competition. Annan took the honours when they visited Torrance House a couple of weeks ago, so EK will be looking to avenge that result. The following week Strathaven will be coming to Torrance House for what will be another local derby match.