Why Kirkcaldy Rugby Club skipper Fin Smith missed opening league loss v Gordonians

Without influential skipper Fin Smith in their playing ranks through injury, Kirkcaldy Rugby Club went down to a 45-28 home loss to Gordonians in last Saturday’s Arnold Clark National League Division 2 opener at Beveridge Park.

First half tries by Craig Hamilton, Steve Milne and Rory Brown couldn’t prevent the Blues from trailing 26-21 at half-time.

Connor Wood on the attack for Kirkcaldy v Gordonians (Pics by Michael Booth)

placeholder image — Connor Wood on the attack for Kirkcaldy v Gordonians (Pics by Michael Booth)

The home team then added one further second half try to secure a bonus point – their four conversions throughout the match were kicked by Ethan Murray – but a further 19 points for their Aberdeen opponents after the interval secured victory for a team which was relegated last season after finishing bottom of National 1.

“It was an encouraging performance by the boys,” crocked captain Smith told the Fife Free Press. “We didn’t know how good Gordonians would be or how we would front up with not getting much game time pre-season.

Rory Brown after scoring a try for the Blues last weekend

"But to be fair the boys put in an almighty shift.

"It was one of those games where at least for 60 minutes we were in the running.

"It probably could have gone either way. Gordonians had injuries to two or three key players so we had a good chance when it was 31-28 for them at one point.

"We just had to crack on but unfortunately there were a few mistakes and we didn’t follow the game plan at times.

Ethan Murray kicking one of his four conversions v Gordonians

"Not having a pre-season where we’d clicked and had much experience of game situations probably just cost us in the last 20 minutes and Gordonians scored a few breakaway tries.

"The boys gave their all and there were a lot of positives for taking into Dundee away this Saturday.”

Smith, who said newly signed brothers Billy and Charlie Dineen had shown up well for the Blues v Gordonians, added ahead of this weekend’s 3pm kick-off in their next match in the City of Discovery: “Up to Dundee is always a hard place to go. They are always pretty physical but I think both teams will be going into it looking to bounce back from round one and it should be a good game.

"I think both teams were quite evenly matched last year and I think our boys will be looking forward to it just to set things straight after last week.”