Too Much Brawn, Not Enough Brain!

The resumption of Conference Rugby saw the U15 team welcome Allan Glens to Broomfield. These teams had a very close encounter earlier in the season and Cumnock were keen to try and turn the tables for the return leg. On arrival the Glens Coaching team advised that they did not have a suitably trained front row and as such would need to forfeit the game in terms of points but a match could be played with uncontested scrums from the outset.

The match started in perfect conditions and both teams going for from the start. From the whistle an extended period of played commenced which as the ball change hands a number of times before a welcome knock on stopped play after over 4 minutes of play and everyone, including the match official, could catch their breath. Cumnock were first to score with a typical Ruairidh Airlie run breaking through a couple of tackles and crashing over for a converted score. Allan Glens responded almost immediately with a levelling score through some slick handling. Glenn increased their lead with a further two try’s, one of which was converted, after this the game started to settle into a rhythm. Cumnock would dominate possession and then make an error which would allow the visitors to clear their lines. This pressure eventually brought a score with Lewis Douglas finishing off an impressive string of phases, this was converted as the whistle sounded for half time with the score at 14-19

The how team whilst working very hard were guilty of not sticking to the game plan and tending to try and take on the visitors upfront. This has not been a strength for this teams and was allowing Allan Glens to turnover Cumnock ball regularly. Scores were being traded during the early part of the half however as the game entered to last 10 mins it was Allan Glens who were executing their game plan and gaining territory at will. Two try’s (1 conversion) from Airlie were cancelled out as the visitors pushed on and added three try’s (2 conversions) to run out 26-38 winners.

Coach Bowditch commented “This was a small step backwards for the team in terms of the content in our game. Effort levels were good however we allowed ourselves to be pulled away from the game plan. Too many players deciding to take on contact when there was a releasing pass on. This suited our opponents who were strong at the breakdown.” Coach Reilly added “The players worked hard which is what we ask of them however they must remember that the hard work needs to be complimented with guile and strategy, we forgot that today and this will be a good lesson for the team. We had several chances that we did not take in the game through poor decision making. This is all part of the developmental process and hopefully as we go forward we can turn those decisions into good ones".

Team: Arun Cameron-Cooper, Luke Cameron-Cooper, Jamie Kennedy, Keiran Makin, Andrew Rodger, Reece Morrison, Liam Murray, Ruairidh Airlie, Cameron Smith(C), Kenzie McGuire, Caleb Askin, Jay Campbell, Iain Stobbs

The U15 side is still keen to recruit players so if you are interested come along to training on Tuesdays (2000-2100) and Thursday (1800-1900) both at Townhead Park. For more information please call 01290 420292.

Next game for the U15 team is Sunday 6th November at home to East Kilbride RFC with a 1400 KO