On a rather dank and gloomy afternoon, Strathendrick 1st XV welcomed East Kilbride to Fintry, planning to get their league campaign back on track despite a somewhat depleted squad due to injuries and availabilities. Unusually, it was the visitors who gave away the first few penalties -although the referee was particularly particular about line-out throw-ins being absolutely straight! The game ebbed to and fro with neither side gaining supremacy but the ‘Endrick assertive defence was hugely impressive. After 20’, Charlie ‘Chico’ Walker collected a loose ball, broke free and cantered half the length of the park to score the first try, converted by Ben Gibson. Just two minutes later the home backs spun it wide and Christiaan Lamb kicked through for Gregor Duncan to be first to the touch down; again converted by Gibson. Would the flood-gates now open? No, it wasn’t to be. Neither set of forwards could really gain the upper hand and frequent penalties were given away until, on 34’, Ben Cunningham collected a ‘team yellow card’. Followed just five minutes later by an East Kilbride player for the same reason.

Half Time: Strathendrick 14 - 0 East Kilbride

The ‘Endrick boys started the second half on the front foot and after only two minutes Craig Mundell went on a great charge before releasing Findlay Kay to stride over on the right wing. 19 - 0. But still Strathendrick couldn’t entirely dominate the opposition. The EK pack was ‘stuffy’ and wrestled the ball up-field, launched a series of drives and then scored a try which went unconverted. EK were conceding tries near their own line when James ‘Shammy’ Ogilvie capitalised to cross for the bonus-earning try. As in the first half, the imposing home tackling was really effective, driving EK back when they were in possession until, after 63’, unfortunately Ben Gibson was deemed to be over-zealous and – after a period of consideration – the referee showed him a red card.

The loss of a man seemed, if anything, to galvanise the home side and they continued to have the upper hand with a series of attacks that couldn’t quite break through until Gregor Duncan eluded the defenders to score under the posts his second try of the match: converted by Chico Walker. The victory was signed and sealed but EK persevered and drove upfield for their prop, Andrew Kingswell, to crash over for a try, converted as the final whistle went.

Full Time score: Strathendrick 31 - 12 East Kilbride

The Duff Christmas Trees Player of the Match was Charlie ‘Chico’ Walker for being ‘solid in defence, dynamic and elusive in attack.’

Next weekend the 1st XV travel to Oban for their last competitive fixture of the year. With an overnight stay planned, team spirits should be high!

On the second team pitch, a strong Strathendrick 2nd XV took on Lanarkshire 2’s (a composite side of Lanark, East Kilbride and Cambuslang) who made the away trip to Fintry despite having depleted numbers. As a result, 25+ players had a good run-out and enjoyed an afternoon’s sport. ‘Endrick lent the opposition a couple of players to even-up the sides but still ran in a regular series of tries in the first half. The second period was much closer and although no-one kept exact track of the points the Ref recorded it as a 60 – 7 home win.

The unofficial PotM was young Duncie McEwen for pulling his boots on 3 years and one day after his last appearance. Welcome back Duncie.