Cambuslang and East Kilbride Rugby Club gaffers react after visitors earn opening win with 14 men

East Kilbride Rugby Club head coach Franklin Clark praised the character of his players after defeating Cambuslang with 14-men in their West One opener.

Clark was making his competitive bow as boss after signing up in the summer, and he watched his side play out an eventful start to the campaign.

A fiercely contested game saw one red and two yellow cards, but it was the visitors who claimed the bragging rights after staging a strong second half revival in a 17-26 success at Coats Park.

Clark said: “It is a good start for us. Cambuslang is a tough place to go so we are quite happy, particularly going down to 14 men just before half-time.

“That made it doubly difficult but the boys showed the right character and we got there in the end. It looked like an eventful game on paper, but it wasn’t really. We didn’t grind it out, the boys played the style we have been practicing in pre-season and we stuck to the gameplan.

“The one thing you can’t coach is character. They showed that and the rest we can work on. Our forwards played really well and overpowered them up front, which let our backs do what they are good at.”

Cambuslang coach Gavin Blackburn said: “We have constantly stressed to the players the importance of keeping their discipline and not giving away stupid penalties.

“We were in command of the game at the interval, and with a man advantage, should have been capable of seeing the match out.

“Our ill-discipline allowed them to take control of the second period and ultimately cost us.”

EK play their first home game this Saturday against Clark’s old side Bishopton, kick-off 3pm at Torrance House, and Clark added: “Bishopton is my previous team so I know that will be a tough game.

“ I have been away from a couple of