Away To Biggar

Well it was off to a soggy Biggar for the Cougars and expected rain – but thankfully, rain held off and it was just soggy pitches, a far cry from the luxury of Fortress Broomfield! It seemed clear from the start that the Cougars were 100% up for today’s game as cold weather subsided and after the team split into the Reds & Blacks it was time to put the efforts onto the pitch.

Blacks v Biggar 2 (17 – 11 Cumnock)

The Black team of Stuart, Calleigh, Euan, Dani, Ross and Alfie had a zip to their step as they took to the pitch against Biggar 2 – a formidable opponent. It was clear from the start that this was a special performance day, Ross lit it up at 100mph after a great pass from Euan in the breakdown that left coaches on both sides wondering what just happened and from there we were off! Alfie causing big problems for Biggar with his own jinking runs and then looking up for the pass to Stuart who drove superbly, as he did all game, to the line with Dani supporting in-case the ball came loose – and this was to be the pattern for today – great support, passing, teamwork and runs, if the tackles had been 6 inches lower it would have been a Grand Slam of rugby tactics! Despite carrying an injury – Dani nipped his way across after strong Cougar attack seen the ball come loose. The scoreboard regularly ticked over as Cumnock bossed the breakdown, Calleigh, Dani and Euan driving strongly then finding the right pass to the Cumnock “finishers” – Alfie closing the game out and placing the ball down hard – a certain Stuart Hogg could have learned a thing or two!

Blacks v Biggar 1 (11-8 Cumnock)

It was clear after giving the Reds a good game that this would be a challenge – and it was. Sadly Dani was carrying a wee injury that was to end his game early and the Blacks were keen to make sure they did Dani proud in his absence. Such a tight fought game but the sheer talent of the Cougars was just eye-watering, long passes, breakdown passes, strong drives and accurate passing – twice in this game Euan took the tackle and found a superb pass to Ross who roared off side-stepping as he went to keep the score ticking. Stuart drove so strongly in this game with 3 tries in this one including a belter after a quick pop-up from Calleigh, who herself found the try line 2 mins later with characteristic strong drive. Alfie tortured Biggar again and found the try line regularly and if not, then a strong pass to a teammate. The whole game was an absolute end-to-end belter as Biggar fought strongly but amazing teamwork seen us through and it finished with decisive victory for the Blacks who did Dani and the parents and coaches proud.

Reds v Biggar 1 (9-9)

Right from the start we showed that we were not only there to provide a match we were there to provide an opposition and a challenge to an extremely well drilled home side. We proved time and again that we would not simply lay back and allow the match to be given away. First on the charge was Daniel who brought his usual tenacity and worked hard through the defender’s lines from a great start by his team mates who ran with him. Neil followed with a triple of his own stunners working not only through the defenders but also weaving in and out of their marauding tackles. Kyran really did put on a display of how hard we work in training for the staunch defences that the young Cougars face week in and week out with being able to grab 4 amazingly powerful tries from excellent line breaks and sidesteps.

Reds v Biggar 2 (9 – 12 Biggar)

Team 2 from Biggar really did step up their game for this match. They showed a lot of heart and tenacity in being able to break down our defence time and again however the tackling and team work that we brought was able to match them time and again. In this match it was Harvey who got us off the mark with an awesome try that jinked in and out of the Biggar players and how he was able to find the spaces that seemed to not exist until he left them in his dust was something that had to be seen to be believed. He showed lightning pace as is his norm but his tackles on players who were head and shoulders above him were something to be in awe of. Adam K worked hard in the tackle as always and when he brought his usual determination and skill to bear Biggar had to double up on players to allow him to be brought down. This didn’t stop him from scoring 2 tries to add to our count. By this time the pitches were really being torn up due to the appalling weather for the entire week leading up to the fixture and the great rugby being played by both teams. This was to be our undoing in this match as by the end of the fixture it was the 3 tries that had been the result of our young heroes falling in the muddy puddles or slipping and sliding away that separated us but the dominant play throughout both half’s was by far on the side of Cumnock Cougars. Where we displayed our efforts most though was through Cara and how she was able to blast through the defenders with awesome leg drives and passing in the tackle. Her offloads were a thing of beauty both in and out of the tackle when she would suck the defenders in and pass on to her team mates to allow them to score in the final few yards.

Overall Scoreline: Cumnock 46 - 40 Biggar

Dream Team: Daniel, Neil, Cara, Kyran, Adam K, Harvey, Stuart, Calleigh, Euan, Dani, Ross & Alfie.