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Sat 07 Dec 2019
1st XVAllan Glens RFC
Conversions: a otherPenalties: S Shankie (2)
13
8
East KIlbride 13 Allan Glen's 8
Alasdair Offin8 Dec 2019 - 11:06
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Great performance to lift West Regional Shield and take another step towards Murrayfield in April
On a cold, wet day at Torrance House East Kilbride (EK) entertained Allan Glen’s (AG) in the final of the West Regional Shield. In season 2018/2019 these teams met twice on league business. Honours were shared evenly and, as both still hope that they will finish this season in first position, there was keen interest in the outcome of this encounter as they have yet to meet on league business this year. This match, therefore, was seen as a preview of things to come. What we did get was a keenly contested match between two teams that dealt with very difficult conditions remarkably well.
EK kicked off and having regained possession took the ball to the AG 22. AG repelled the attack sending a long kick into the EK half. EK tried to run the ball out of defence but when it was turned over AG spread it quickly to their right wing who crossed for an unconverted try. This try demonstrated what AG were capable of. For EK the message was clear. Retaining possession and stout defence were what was required to get the result they sought. As the half wore on EK’s domination of set pieces increased their confidence as a good supply of line-out ball from both their own and opposition throw ins and dominant scrummaging provided a good supply of ball. This did lead to the second score of the first period. After some good attacking play EK were awarded a scrum 5 metres from the AG line. They drove purposefully and with the ball well controlled at no. 8, Evan Middleton’s feet, AG collapsed the scrum and the referee awarded a penalty try. The half ended 10 minutes later with EK ahead by 2 points.
With the second half only 4 minutes old Scott Shankie edged EK further ahead with the successful conversion of a penalty. With much of the game being played between the 22s it was AG’s turn to convert a penalty to return the difference to two points 8 minutes later. Play continued to be fast and furious. With neither side willing to give way defences were stretched but remained firm. AGs were given an opportunity to move into the lead when a penalty was awarded about 35 metres out but the kicker mishit and sent the ball low and wide. A let off for EK. Eventually, with the game in stoppage time, EK were awarded a penalty converted by the sure-footed Scott Shankie. This was the final score of the day. Stuart Henderson, having confirmed with the referee that full time had arrived, kicked the ball to the middle of the 2nd XV field to end the game and begin EK’s celebrations.
Heavy rain before and during the game created conditions that were not conducive to open running rugby. It was the kind of day on which a game was most likely to be won in the forwards and for EK it was this aspect of the game that provided an advantage. That said, though conditions made passing and handling difficult both sets of backs are to be congratulated for the quality of their play as few passes went to ground and both sets ran purposefully at the opposition. For EK it was a combination of sound defence and domination of the set pieces that won the game and while every one of the eight forwards might have been worthy of the player of the match accolade it goes, this week, to Stuart Henderson whose all round play and management of the back division in defence particularly helped ensure a narrow but well deserved victory. Stuart, who joined us at the beginning of the season has taken up a post in Ireland. Unfortunately, this does mean that Saturday’s game was his last for EK. We wish him well in his new position.
On a day when the weather might have been the winner David Rosie and his team of volunteers who put in hours during the week to make sure that the pitch was playable are to be congratulated on their efforts without which we might not have had a game.
Team: McLellan, Ford, E. Beaton, Rosie, Irvine, R. Beaton, O’Neill and Middleton. Ellison and Henderson. Greenfield, Shankie, Stott, Brown and Murray.
Replacements: Jaap, Dryburgh, McLean and Dalgleish.
Next Saturday, 14th December, Stewartry come to Torrance House for a Tennent's West League Division 1 match. Having lost to them down in Castle Douglas earlier in the season the EK men are looking to reverse that result to keep hopes of the top spot in the division alive.
EK kicked off and having regained possession took the ball to the AG 22. AG repelled the attack sending a long kick into the EK half. EK tried to run the ball out of defence but when it was turned over AG spread it quickly to their right wing who crossed for an unconverted try. This try demonstrated what AG were capable of. For EK the message was clear. Retaining possession and stout defence were what was required to get the result they sought. As the half wore on EK’s domination of set pieces increased their confidence as a good supply of line-out ball from both their own and opposition throw ins and dominant scrummaging provided a good supply of ball. This did lead to the second score of the first period. After some good attacking play EK were awarded a scrum 5 metres from the AG line. They drove purposefully and with the ball well controlled at no. 8, Evan Middleton’s feet, AG collapsed the scrum and the referee awarded a penalty try. The half ended 10 minutes later with EK ahead by 2 points.
With the second half only 4 minutes old Scott Shankie edged EK further ahead with the successful conversion of a penalty. With much of the game being played between the 22s it was AG’s turn to convert a penalty to return the difference to two points 8 minutes later. Play continued to be fast and furious. With neither side willing to give way defences were stretched but remained firm. AGs were given an opportunity to move into the lead when a penalty was awarded about 35 metres out but the kicker mishit and sent the ball low and wide. A let off for EK. Eventually, with the game in stoppage time, EK were awarded a penalty converted by the sure-footed Scott Shankie. This was the final score of the day. Stuart Henderson, having confirmed with the referee that full time had arrived, kicked the ball to the middle of the 2nd XV field to end the game and begin EK’s celebrations.
Heavy rain before and during the game created conditions that were not conducive to open running rugby. It was the kind of day on which a game was most likely to be won in the forwards and for EK it was this aspect of the game that provided an advantage. That said, though conditions made passing and handling difficult both sets of backs are to be congratulated for the quality of their play as few passes went to ground and both sets ran purposefully at the opposition. For EK it was a combination of sound defence and domination of the set pieces that won the game and while every one of the eight forwards might have been worthy of the player of the match accolade it goes, this week, to Stuart Henderson whose all round play and management of the back division in defence particularly helped ensure a narrow but well deserved victory. Stuart, who joined us at the beginning of the season has taken up a post in Ireland. Unfortunately, this does mean that Saturday’s game was his last for EK. We wish him well in his new position.
On a day when the weather might have been the winner David Rosie and his team of volunteers who put in hours during the week to make sure that the pitch was playable are to be congratulated on their efforts without which we might not have had a game.
Team: McLellan, Ford, E. Beaton, Rosie, Irvine, R. Beaton, O’Neill and Middleton. Ellison and Henderson. Greenfield, Shankie, Stott, Brown and Murray.
Replacements: Jaap, Dryburgh, McLean and Dalgleish.
Next Saturday, 14th December, Stewartry come to Torrance House for a Tennent's West League Division 1 match. Having lost to them down in Castle Douglas earlier in the season the EK men are looking to reverse that result to keep hopes of the top spot in the division alive.
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