Men's 1st XV - East Kilbride

Oban Lorne were determined to rebound from last week’s disappointing loss and, with a strong squad and a supportive home crowd, they kicked off against a formidable East Kilbride side who have been looking impressive this season.

Oban started with intent, displaying solid defensive work that halted East Kilbride’s big ball carriers in their tracks. The first breakthrough came when George Ritchie crossed the line after sustained pressure from the home side. Ritchie then added the conversion, giving Oban an early lead.

Shortly after, Morgan Dennison marked his first try for the club with a powerful run from 10 metres out. The Orkney native is proving difficult to stop once he builds momentum, and Ritchie’s conversion extended Oban’s lead to 14-0 by half-time. The first half saw Oban controlling the game, despite heavy rain that caused numerous stoppages due to handling errors.

The second half continued in the same vein, with winger Robert Wallace scoring another try for Oban, once again converted by Ritchie. Oban’s patience and well-executed phases were rewarded when Jack Johnston dived over the line, furthering their advantage.

East Kilbride, however, showed resilience and experience, responding with a hard-earned forwards’ try after a series of strong phases. They continued to put pressure on Oban, resulting in a yellow card for captain Jamie Bate due to repeated infringements at the breakdown.

Despite being a man down for most of the final minutes, Oban Lorne managed to see out the game, retaining possession with the help of Player of the Match, Vas Borisov, who provided vital control in the closing stages.

The depth of the full 22-man squad proved crucial, with every player contributing and the bench making a significant impact. With a week off ahead, Oban Lorne now sit second in the league, trailing unbeaten Kilmarnock. They will be preparing for a major clash against the league leaders in their next fixture.