Cumnock U15 19 Malone U15 12

The Cougars under 15’s hosted the first of two touring teams at Cumnock this week by playing Malone RFC from Belfast on a sunny (for a change) day at Broomfield. Malone turned up with great numbers and a much bigger pack, however Cumnock were boosted by returning age group players and fielded a team that will hopefully be the full u16 team when the new season arrives.
The game started with Malone running and off loading the ball and looked as though they would over run Cumnock but some stout and last gasp defence from the Cougars denied any early scores and the game settled down to a very even game.
Malone chalked up the first score of the game when their first half pressure allowed them to score from close range but just missed the conversion to go 5 – 0 up. Cumnock settled a bit after the score and the forwards knew they would have to up their game to match the bigger pack. The Cougars forwards started to work and tested the visitors with some line breaks. They then built on that to feed the much improving backs and a good break and off load by Cumnock allowed a score under the post that was converted to lead 7 – 5 at half time.
The second half was much the same as the first as both teams traded plays, the Malone pack at times seemed to dominate the scrum but Cumnock would adjust and stabilize it, then the visitors would work the overlap and Cumnock would match it, leading to a nervous end of the game.
Malone scored again from close range, which looked to be their only way through as again the Cougars hard fought defence held firm under good play and bigger opposition, the try was well converted from wide. However, Cumnock upped their game again after going behind and levelled the score from a crash ball penalty on the five after working some good territory into the visitors half. The resultant conversion was narrowly missed and the scores were tied 12 – 12 with about 15 minutes to play.
The game ebbed and flowed and only small mistakes from both sides denied the teams a winning score. In the end the final score came from some good back play deep in Cumnock’s own half, the last of a series of good passes reached the Cougars winger who had a lot to do from his own half but a good run beat three players to score below the posts, to be met by a great team response and the extra points to make it 19 – 12.
Despite a concerted effort by the visitors, Malone threatening the line right up until the final whistle, Cumnock held on for a well deserved hard worked win.
The game was very competitive but played in good spirits and the coaches hope they can return the favour by visiting Malone before the new season. The Cumnock coaches were pleased by the teams reaction to a good standard of opposition, and were pleased with fielding a team of age group players who will hopefully form the basis of next years team.

Photos of the above game are avable from this link to members of the website.