Saturday 28th March 2009

New Anniesland
Accies waited until the final game of the league season to turn in one of their poorest performances of the year. Admittedly the side has been particularly unfortunate with the number of injuries it has had. Stewart Smith, Gareth Williams, Jamie Stewart, Matt Smith and Robin Bryant are all regular 1st.XV players who were absent through injury or unavailability, and two of our stalwart players, Graeme Simpson and Alan Wilson have been carrying injuries. However, the side seemed to lack purpose and real commitment on Saturday, and in the end were well beaten by a Kilmarnock side that were clearly looking for revenge for their SHE Shield defeat by us in February.

Accies had opportunities to score, especially in the first half, but sadly slack handling or wrong decision-making squandered them.

However much more worrying was the ease with which Kilmarnock broke through the centre of our defence.

In the first 15 minutes Accies bought four dummies one of which resulted in the Kilmarnock stand off bursting through the defence unchallenged to score at the posts in the 9th minute. An excellent try, that was converted for a 0-7 lead.

Accies bounced straight back from this when Kilmarnock were penalised for a late tackle. Ali McLaren’s kick took play to a lineout 5 metres out from the goaline. Kilmarnock were penalised again at this lineout and a bit of quick thinking by Richard McKnight paid off when he took a quick tap and burst over. Ali McLaren equalised with a conversion from wide on the right and the game was back to all square after 12 minutes.

For the rest of the half Accies persisted in dropping passes and kicking aimlessly. The back division has admittedly seen multiple enforced changes throughout the season, but for this performance they seemed to lose all confidence. However, it looked as if they could survive until half time until a loose clearance kick was run back at them. A speculative punt followed this into the left corner that resulted in a gift score for the right-winger who was left unmarked. The touchline conversion gave Kilmarnock a 7-14 lead. Happily, there was still enough time for Ali Mclaren to chip over a penalty to make the half time score 10-14.

Within a minute of the re-start Accies were in the lead. A thundering breakout by Cruz taken on by Ali Mclaren took play to the goaline, where the ball was recycled quickly and Ben Wilkinson ran over for Accies second try. 15-14.

One might have hoped an Accies revival was on the cards, however Kilmarnock were to regain control and dominate play for the remainder of the half. Within three minutes they were back in the lead with a penalty, and five minutes later scored a try due to lack of tackling.

At the start of the final quarter Kilmarnock scored again, after a long period of intense pressure in the Accies 22, to take their lead to 15-27. Finally a penalty put the seal on the game, and they were home by 15-30.

Accies did make a fight of it in the last ten minutes but once again fallible hands meant that they could not add to their score.

Whilst this was a disappointing end to a season that had started so promisingly, we should not lose sight of the progress that Donald Reid and the coaches have made since last season. The team should finish the season in 4th or 5th position.

Accies 2nd.XV, I am pleased to report, had an excellent win by 29 – 3, playing away at Newton Stewart. Nigel Campbell, the team Coach, is to be congratulated on the success of the team who now have a possibility of promotion. They play East Kilbride on Saturday at New Anniesland, and would really appreciate a good support.


The 1stXV travel to Annan for their 2nd Round shield tie. There will be a few nervous threequarters and perhaps one or two forwards as well who will be only too aware that positions could be under review!! Donald is confident that the players will be well motivated for this Cup match, and is very hopeful that numerous players should be returning from injury. Please consider coming to Annan on the Team bus. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

Whilst it may be the end of the season, the Coaches will be expecting every player to give his all until the last whistle is blown.

Kilmarnock Rugby Club score a fine win at Glasgow Accies
Apr 3 2009 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard
KILMARNOCK turned one of their best performances of the season with a good away win at Glasgow Accies.
Killie showed their intentions from the start, putting Accies under pressure, and it was no surprise when Alan Spiers waltzed past his opposite number to score to the left of the posts after eight minutes, Ally McWhirter converting.
Glasgow Accies finally won some balls and started to ask questions of the visitors’ defence. Kilmarnock conceded a serious of penalties before Richard McKnight took a quick tap and burrowed his way over to open Accies account.
Kilmarnock did not let this setback effect their confidence, and an intelligent kick by Alan Speirs in behind the flat Accies defence allowed Stephen Whittet to collect and score, McWhirter again converting to increase Kilmarnock’ s lead to 14-5.
Indiscipline again allowed Accies back into the match converting a penalty from 30 metres to narrow the gap to 14 -8 with half time approaching.
Glasgow Accies came flying out the blocks after the interval, and punished a slack Kilmarnock defence to score under the post, a try which was duly converted to leave Kilmarnock trailing by a point only a minute into the second half.
Kilmarnock rolled up their sleeves and again begun to exert some pressure on the home defence. A penalty by McWhirter and another try by Whittet took Killie back into the lead 22-15 with 20 minutes still to play.
Some intelligent tactical kicking by Alan Speirs kept the pressure on the Accies defence, and Paul Guthrie managed to squeeze over to stretch the Killie lead. A further penalty by Ally McWhirter competed the scoring.
This was a much improved performance, and with only three games to go, one win would secure fourth place in the league.

This article was originally posted on 30-Mar-2009, 18:07 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 3-Apr-2009, 18:46.