Kilmarnock Rugby Club romp to victory

Dec 26 2008 by Clair Fullarton, Kilmarnock Standard

KILMARNOCK kicked off and gained possession with centre Stewart Pratt kicking into the opposition 22 area, winger Steven Whittet chased and tackled his man, secured the ball for wing forward Gareth Rowlands, who kicked ahead and touched down with barely two minutes on the clock, 5-0.

The visitors held Kilmarnock at bay for the next few minutes and opened their account with a penalty kick, 5-3, but Kilmarnock were secure in the set scrum and lineout and soon enjoyed most of the possession.

Ryan Andrews broke through the defence and was caught, but the ball was soon recycled and moved to centre Johnny Bradford who sliced through for a try after 15 minutes. Ali McWhirter converted for 12-3.

Kilmarnock were well in control and further errors soon had them deep in the opposition half. From a line-out Kilmarnock shipped the ball wide and at the breakdown Alan Thomson passed to Stephen Kidd who bundled over for a try with the conversion by Ali McWhirter, 19-3 after 25 minutes.

Kilmarnock made two substitutions as they experimented with hardened campaigner Gordon Lawrie and young start Liam Fowler joining the game in place of Ian Spiers and Cammy Brown.

Approaching half time, debut winger Tom Steven showed his potential taking a ball from second row Alan Thomson some 15 metres from goal, and despite being tackled short of the line. his outstretched hand saw him touch down for a memorable try, 24-3.

In the second half, Gareth Rowlands picked up an over throw at the tail of the lineout and raced through for his second try with Ali McWhirter striking the post 29-3.

The forwards manufactured the next score with captain Stephen Kidd scoring his second try although Derek Wright missed the touchline conversion.

Kilmarnock’s scrum half Matt Bradford then passed to his brother Johnny, who found Whittet and he raced 45 metres to score, Ali McWhirter adding the conversion for 41-3.

Scrum half Bradford then raced in for a converted try to make it 48-3, and Kilmarnock’s domination continued. The pick of the tries followed, scored by speeding winger Steven Whittet from inside his own half. He stepped inside two men, and rounded a further three desperados to score beneath the posts. McWhirter added the conversion for 55-3 with the last quarter remaining.

The coup de grace came from captain Stephen Kidd who burst through the defence, Cammy Muir backed up and surged forward. Kidd took the ball once more and ran over the goal line, unselfishly passing in goal to Cammy Brown. Ali Mcwhirter concluded his tally by converting, 62-3.

Kilmarnock’s next cup game is at Bellsland on Saturday, January 10, when they face sterner opposition against Ardrossan.