WHITECRAIGS got their first ever season in National League Division 2 off to a flying start after a hard fought victory on Saturday.
Last seasons division three campions were up against it when a physical Kilmarnock side visited West Lodge, but the league newcomers were up to the task.
The Ayrshire visitors started the stronger and after just five minutes nudged in front after sustained pressure gave them a penalty in front of the posts which was knocked over with ease.
But the resillient Craigs boys hit back immeditaely with quick handling giving Nicky Blamire the chance to weave his way through a hapless Kilmarnock defence for a try.
With both teams closely matched the game was on a knife edge but after a classy Killmarnock backs move the visitors touched down in the corner to regain the lead.
With the home fans becoming restless it looked as though Craigs would go into the break behind, but after some good territory a deft chip from Little saw Moffat pounce on the loose ball and leave the half time score at 10-8.
After the interval Craigs came out hungry to extend their lead and when the Killie forwards conceded a penalty in front of the posts Moffat stepped up and confidently added another three points.
As the tension between the two sides grew the heated confrontation boiled over when the Killie hooker took exception to Howarth and lashed out, resulting in both players getting sin binned.
With both sides down to 14 men it was the visitors who adapted the better and pulled out all the stops in a desperate attempt to rescue the game.
But despite being camped in the Craigs danger zone for long periods the resolute home defence held firm.
And after Whitecraigs evetually broke out Stevenson floated a sublime pass to Kemp who barged his way over the line to clinch a fantastic 18-8 opening day win.
Jim Henderson, head coach, said: "We underperformed today but the first game of the season is never easy.
"There was a lot of niggle in the match but we will learn from this and take the positives into our next game."
Team: Laidlaw, B. Blamire, McCormack, J. Henderson, Howarth, Pollock, N. Blamire, Smyllie, S. Henderson, Little, Kemp, Percival, Moffat, Fisher, Stevenson. Subs - McKelvie, Nisbet, Beattie.