Cumnock v`s Ayr

Report by Andrew Watt

heading down to Rozelle to take on local rivals Ayr in what proved to be a close and fiercely contested game.
Cumnock got off to a strong start putting Ayr under a lot of pressure which paid off with the forwards opening the score with Euan Bell crashing over from close range to score a converted try. Cumnock kept up the pressure and sqandered a few opportunities to increase their lead. Ayr had their fair share of opportunities turning over ball and making ground but the Cumnock defense held strong before a breakaway saw Ayr get on the score sheet and the first half ended with both teams level.
Ayr came out stronger after the break and ran in 3 unanswered tries to take the lead for the first time. Cumnock seemed to wake up at this point and started to gain the upper hand with the forwards leading the charge and Euan crashing over again to get his second try. Then the backs got in on the act with tries coming from John Watt and Kieran Vance a second conversion from Lewis McGregor meant the teams were all square at 24 each with a few minutes left on the clock, a Cumnock breakaway looked like it would snatch victory but a stout Ayr defense held firm and turned ball over to secure 31-24 victory in the last play of the match.
Overall the Cumnock coaching staff saw more positives than negatives in Cumnock`s performance but ultimately basic handling errors, poor decision making and white line fever cost Cumnock victory in this fiercely contested, physical encounter.