Dumfries Saints 60 - Cumnock / Kilmarnock Cougars 7

Although at almost full strength the team just didn't get going, with uncharacteristicly poor handling, poor decision making and loss of form contributing to a dismal day at Dumfries.

There were some bright flashes, particularly in the first half. The forwards put in a decent shift at the coal face providing some ball for the backs to exploit. However the larger Dumfries team soaked up the pressure and took advantage of every error from the Cougars. Highlight of the game for the visitors was an interception from Gregor Paxton which led to their only score, mid-way through the first half.

The referee made a number of errors, in this his first game in charge, but the defeat cannot be blamed on him. However with the home team having 16 players on the park at times, despite it being pointed out to the man in the middle, the task was always an uphill struggle. Injuries also played a part in what was a very physical contest, not always legitimately it must be noted, with Scott Faulds on the receiving end of a rather sneaky right hook. That said the Cougars were the instruments of their own misfortune with this easily being their poorest performance of the season.

There are no league games for the next two weeks before we play hosts to Dumfries at Cumnock on 11 March. Some intense training sessions will be required to try to kick-start the season again, but without the input from flanker Callum Bark. 'Taz' ended up in casualty with a suspected fractured shoulder received executing a stupendous try saving tackle in front of the posts in the final few minutes of the game.

Team: McEwan (C), R McLaren, Harkiss, N Kerr, A McLaren, S Faulds, C Bark, J Reilly, A Kerr, Wight, Aitken, Stewart, Paxton, Hamilton, Bowditch Subs: Phillips, D Smith, B Smith, Frater, McCulloch, Young