GREENOCK WANDERERS will look to take the positives from their latest pre-season test despite falling to defeat against a courageous Kilmarnock side.
The Wanderers travelled to East Ayrshire for a friendly with a side made up of second and third XV players, with a couple of first XV squad members, to play four 20-minute sessions.
The home side put out their full first XV and this was evident in the first session as Wanderers offered virtually nothing in attack, and even in those rare moments when they did begin to threaten, Kilmarnock kept them at bay.
The first session at Bellsland was only inside the first minute when the home side scored through their pacy winger who burst through some slack tackling.
There was though, some positives to take for the Fort Matilda outfit, with a number of players making a return from long term injury and debuts for Ross Hodge and Ethan Jack who both put in encouraging contributions.
The result was heavily in the home side's favour despite many substitutions by Wanderers, who were unable to make any telling impact on the home try line.
The home side, who play in Division One West, a division lower than Wanderers will be buoyed by the result.
Wanderers head-coach Bobby Mitchell came away from the game feeling confident that the side would regroup during training this week, and with 1st XV players returning he'll be confident that the players would be focused on their next match, another pre-season friendly away to Bishopton this Saturday.
Wanderers will also be bolstered by a stronger squad to choose from, with seasoned campaigners and players with work commitments available.
The 2nd and 3rd XV will also travel to get some game time. The team coaches had a lot to work on after last week's disappointing display and had a positive response from the players at Tuesday's training session.
A further two friendlies and a cup match will follow before the first league match away to Dunfermline on September 7.
Meanwhile, the club's ladies first team have a friendly at home this Sunday against Hillhead as they continue their pre-season preparations, whilst the 2nd XV travel to Marr.
Greenock Wanderers XV are sponsored by MMSEARCH whilst the ladies' section is sponsored by Straps of Gourock and Brow House Cosmetics.
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