Kilmarnock Rugby Club boys toil in National Shield
Feb 27 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard
Kilmarnock 7 - 23 Glasgow Accies
KILMARNOCK played hosts to fellow league combatants Glasgow Accies at Bellsland last Saturday in the first Round of the Scottish Hydro Electric National Shield Competition.
The visitors avenged their earlier league defeat by winning 23-7 against a Kilmarnock side who were not at their best committing too many unforced errors and conceeding possession to the opposition.
Accies kicked off with a stiff breeze behind them and Kilmarnock were soon in defensive action.
After four minutes Kilmarnock tried to run out of their own 22 area but were penalised for holding on the ground. Accies took the lead with a 25 metre penalty, 3-0.
Kilmarnock restarted and were given the ball by the opposition stand-off, Johnny Bradford broke free and the ball was moved to winger Steven Whittet who outpaced the opposition to score below the posts.
Ali McWhirter converted to give Kilmarnock a shortlived lead 7-3.
Kilmarnock fumbled the restart kick which was followed by a kick failing to find touch, Kilmarnock were penalised, however the attempt at goal narrowly failed.
From a line out Accies drove into Kilmarnock territory and a further penalty saw them kick to the corner. A well rehearsed lineout move saw the number eight take the ball at speed and broke through unopposed to score Accies opening try 8-8.
The conversion was missed however the referee deemed the kick to be retaken and full back Ross Chassels made no mistake
A steal against the head saw Accies venture up the blind side and a further penalty saw them close to the Kilmarnock goal line.
Another fine touchline conversion by the Accies full back edged them 17-7 ahead 25 minutes into the half.
A turning point in the game perhaps. The Kilmarnock forwards found the scrummaging and lineout play difficult against the heavier and more skilled Accies pack. A restart drop out 22 went straight into touch and again Accies capitalised.
Kilmarnock restarted the second half and the wind advantage more or less died, however Accies knocked on giving Kilmarnock a five metre scrum, a wild pass was easily intercepted by the Accies centre who raced upfield only to be overhauled by speedster Steven Whittet in Killie’s half, a fly hack on and Accies were in the home 22.
The line out was lost and Accies won the next scrum putting Killie on the back foot. From the scrum and under pressure Ali McWhirter kicked and with the help of an Accies hand Killie took a quick line out and moved the ball wide only to falter yet again. Kilmarnock enjoyed more possession but were unable to convert any of it into points.
A missed kick at goal was followed by a series of penalties to the home side who decided to go for a try rather than take the easy penalty. Accies countered on numerous occasions and Kilmarnock defended well to subdue the opposition.
The second half realised only one further score after Kilmarnock gave away another penalty which Accies took at their leisure 23-7 late in the half.

This article was posted on 27-Feb-2009, 18:10 by Hugh Barrow.