EK’s first XV ended the season in great style with a 39-0 victory over Glasgow Accies, gaining revenge for the disappointing defeat at Accies earlier in the season.

They finished their league season in third place, with a comprehensive victory over fourth placed Glasgow Accies.

Following a Robbie Greenfield penalty in the first minute, however, it did not look as if EK would be runaway victors.

Accies have a set of sharp, fleet footed backs and allied to some early missed tackles, they had long periods of pressure in the EK half. But EK held them out, sometimes with last ditch defence with full-back Mark Ellison twice making last-man try-saving tackles.

EK’s first try, after ten minutes was a cracker. From a shortened lineout, lock Paul Rosie was lurking in the backs and on the charge blasted his way through a couple of tackles, with arch poacher Calum Aitken, playing centre, on hand to steal the ball and crash over for a converted try. Score: 10-0.

From the restart, Craig Ferguson Junior made an amazing 40-metre break, the first of many devastating breaks he was to make in the first half. Just a pity he has found his fitness and confidence as the season is coming to a close.

He contributed to the next score, breaking from a scrum and linking with the backs and flanker Gareth Jones to allow shiny boots Ellison to crash over for the try. No conversion. 15-0.

EK were playing some lovely close support, running rugby, and put together another storming charge involving Chris O’Neill, Craig Ferguson and Andy MacDonald only for a high tackle to prevent winger Chris Mullins’ charge for the line. And Ferguson dazzled the crowd with yet another 40 metre blast up the middle.

The one area of concern for EK in the first half was the penalty count, which they lost 13-9, in a half full of running rugby.

Another bizarre event was EK’s next score. Calum Aitken dropped the ball over the line but the referee awarded the try, it appeared even before Aitken had dropped it. No conversion, 20-0.

Ellison was the architect of the next try, which was a penalty try as he was hauled back by an Accies defender as he hacked a loose ball towards the Accies try line. Greenfield’s conversion made it 27-0.

It was largely all one way traffic, with EK dominating. Even the ref seemed to run out of puff as we had only six penalties in the second half, EK again losing the count 4-2.

EK’s dominant scrum produced the next score with Aitken, having run out of puff in the backs, claiming the pushover after having rejoined the forwards. The conversion made it 34-0.

While the try was his hat trick, Calum needs to improve his technical play at the base of the scrum - he squandered a couple of earlier opportunities for pushovers. Pick it up six inches (or less) short of the line and go direct through your second rows – it makes a score inevitable.

Ellison staggered off in the 70th minute having apparently tweaked his hamstrings again. The replacement, Scott Johnston claimed the final try – I think his first in a competitive match for the first XV.

Accies full back dropped an EK kick, Johnston could hardly believe his luck when he hacked the ball on to find himself in the clear, only needing to fall over the ball to score. The crowd were stunned by his “athleticism”! Some work to do on his try celebration though. Final score 39-0, earning EK a bonus point for their

Man of the Match – on a day when the whole team played superbly, there were many candidates but only one serious contender. Mentions for Craig Ferguson Junior for his devastating runs in the first half; Ally Dalgleish for his support and good hands; Aitken for being a poacher supreme and Paul Rosie for being Paul Rosie.

But the best player on the day was open side flanker, Chris (Tophie) O’Neill who had an outstanding match. He was everywhere, making breaks, tackling, winning turnover ball, supporting colleagues etc etc. A close contender for MoM in other matches, this was entirely deserved. Well done Chris.

The 2nd XV have a number of rearranged matches to complete. They just beat Glasgow Accies Seconds on Saturday with a last minute kick by Calum Blackwood to claim an 11-10 victory. This helps secure their position in the Reserve league.

This article was originally posted on 26-Apr-2013, 06:23 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 26-Apr-2013, 06:31.