Crackling Cumnock turn in a "MARR"velous Performance

With Conference business on a hiatus due to holidays Cumnock took on local Rugby powerhouse Marr rugby as a precursor to the resumption of league play next week. The progress of the team in recent weeks has been steady with a string of wins on the road however the trip to Marr was going to be a stern test.

From the whistle Cumnock went into action and executing the prep work carried out in training to the letter. Defence had been the focus in training for the past few weeks and it here that the platform was laid for a tremendous result. Although it was the home side that scored first it was completely against the run of play and a relatively minor error resulted in Marr running in a score from distance. This seemed to life the @nock players as they powered ahead from the restart working their way relentlessly up the pitch for XXXXXX to score.

Marr responded with another long-range score through the wide channels which was where Marr seemed to be focussing their attack. Their quick wingers were proving a handful for the Cumnock defence and it was imperative that the Cumnock defence stepped up and cut off the supply to the wider areas. Marr then scored again, this time it was through more a more central channel with some weak tackling allowing a score under the posts. With the score at 15-7 it was vital that Cumnock scored the next try to stay in the game and they did not disappoint. A line out on the half way line saw Jamie Kennedy regather a wild pass, turn, step two players then feed the ball out to his back line where Ruairidh Airlie moved the ball wider to Luke Cameron-Cooper who made a penetrating run and then fed the ball back to Airlie who had carried on his run to support which he took over for a converted score taking the game to the break at 15-14.

After the break, it was Cumnock who started to control the game and limit the Marr attack. The hosts would manage two more scores however it was Cumnock who piled on the points. Additional touch downs from Lewis Young, Arun Cameron-Cooper, Ruairidh Airlie and Lewis Young saw the Cumnock side triumphant.

The coaches were delighted with the performance and particularly the work rate shown by every member of the team. Coach Bowditch said “As a team we have been discussing how we want to play the game, what do we stand for when we play. The point that we eventually drilled down to was simple – Effort!. We have agreed that we will always be the hardest working team in any game we play. If we can do that we give ourselves a chance …….. Today we set the benchmark for the season.” Coach Reilly added “Improvement has been a slow burn for this team however we seem to have developed a culture where work rate is the foundation of what we do. Everything else is reliant on how hard we work in a game. This was a game that we went into looking for a performance and nothing else, the result was secondary however through the application of a culture that we are developing in the team a tremendous result was achieved. We now go into the last 3 games in the conference with a renewed focus and determination.”

Special mentions on the day for Ruairidh Airlie with another 5 try haul, Caleb Askin who was everywhere on the park, team kicker on the day was Lewis Young with 5 conversions from 7. Man of the Match was Luke Camer- Cooper with and outstanding performance in both attack and defence.

Team: Arun Cameron-Cooper, Luke Cameron-Cooper, Jamie Kennedy, Keiran Makin, Andrew Rodger, Reece Morrison, Liam Murray, Ruairidh Airlie, Cameron Smith(C), Luke Donald, Lewis Young, John Connor, William Allan, Caleb Askin, Jay Campbell, Jo Paterson and John Graham.

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 30thrd October at home to Allan Glens RFC with a 1400 KO