HELENSBURGH RFC ended 2016 with a disappointing 52-11 defeat at Kilmarnock on Saturday.

The loss leaves the Grizzlies six points adrift at the bottom of the West Region First Division after one win from 12 games.

Burgh went into a 3-0 lead but Killie hit back quickly as winger David Smith scored in the corner.

Helensburgh once again responded, kicking for a 6-3 lead, but then the floodgates opened,

Craig McWhirter pick up from close range to score Kilmarnock’s second try, Scott Brown converted for a 12-6 lead to Kilmarnock midway through the half.

Two more tries and one conversion gave the home side a 24-6 lead at the break.

Kilmarnock were just two places above Burgh at the start of play, and the significance of the tie on the league table was not lost on them in the second half as the kept up the pressure.

After just two minutes of play Sam Diamond collected a pass and burst though at short range for a converted try.

Minutes later after good build up by the forwards and backs Kilmarnock forced a scrum five, the ball was passed from Ally McWhirter at stand-off to captain Scott Brown who weaved past two players for another converted try, 38-6.

Two more converted tries rounded off a great day for Kilmarnock while Burgh managed a late consolation try late on.

Helensburgh are next in action on Saturday, January 7, when table-topping Newton Stewart visit Ardencaple, kick-off 2pm.

Newton Stewart are unbeaten so far this season and thumped Burgh 77-3 when the sides met in the reverse fixture in October.