Hunter 60, 70
Match Information
Attendance: 9,500
Referee: J Bell (Dundee)
Matchday: Saturday
Match Trivia
Eight thousand people braved what turned out a miserable afternoon at Rugby Park, rain falling for an hour previous to starting time and continuing right through the game. Despite the elements, the ground stood the test well, and a splendidly-contested game was served up, the result hanging in the balance till the last ten minutes. Up to the time Rangers scored there was more likelihood of the first goal going to Kilmarnock, who were most persistent in their attacks, but Lock defied all their best efforts, his saving at time bordering on the miraculous, albeit he took great risk, and more than once was within an ace of injury. Nevertheless, his display was great, and had the effect of ultimately pulling his team through for the forwards responded in the last twenty minutes with play that had more method in it than that which had characterised their earlier movements. The vigorous and nippy tackling of the home defenders may have had an upsetting influence on the visiting forwards, for there was very little ceremony in going for or getting the ball away. The first real danger came from Howie (after the Rangers had spent some useless time in the vicinity of Aitken), and his two tries were both excellent efforts, and as excellently saved. Templeton too, more than once outwitted Gordon and Law, but Galt once and McKenzie on another occasion turned up at the right moment, corners being conceded both times. The game continued on these lines right through to the end, but try as they might, the home lot could get nothing better than ‘hard lines,’ while the Rangers snapped a couple of good goals, and in this respect their experience helped them through where their opponents failed. The first one came twenty minutes from time, and although Hunter put the finishing touch to it a cute header by Hogg helped the success. A corner ten minutes later by Hogg was headed through by Hunter, and Kilmarnock were only prevented by Lock in the closing minutes from reducing the leeway. In the winners’ team after the custodian, May took the eye at centre-half. He never lost sight of the fair-haired opposing centre, and he was also a great help to his forwards. Galt, too, proved himself the master of Armour and lasted better than some of the others. Both backs stood up to their work, but Law was not too confident in his dealings with Templeton. Forward no one was more earnest than Hunter, and he had his reward with a brace of goals. Alex smith was not so dangerous as of old, while Hogg contented himself in waiting for chances that seldom came. The home team are to be commiserated with in losing a game, that should have been drawn at least, and if special mention may be made of a lot who did well, the backs, Anderson and Halley at half, and Templeton, Cunningham and Howie forward may be singled out, but the others were not far behind.
