Kilmarnock and Ardrossan

The Cougars played their first home games at Merlin Park in Auchinleck. Welcoming two other Ayrshire teams along to play some fun games of rugby, Kilmarnock and Ardrossan. Kilmarnock and Ardrossan Teams were mixed p4 and p5 so this gave our p4s a chance to join the p5s.

First up was Kilmarnock. Cumnock having 10 players this gave players the chance of some rest during the game with 4 substitutes available. the visitors started the play, putting the Cougars on the defence. Kilmarnock throwing in some hard runs at the Cumnock defence before finally they broke through and scoring a try. This time around Cumnock started with the ball finding space through the Kilmarnock defensive line was a hard push but the Cougars found the try line in the end. Throughout the game it was pretty much try for try between the two teams. Spectators were shown some good rugby skills from the Cougars making hard hitting tackles and some good rucking and counter rucking. With the first half finishing 7 each. A draw on the table Cumnock knew they had to step it up a gear in the second half. Out onto the second half of the game it didn't take long to realise Kilmarnock had the same mind set and stepped their game up a little. This was showing to be a good game of rugby. The Cougars needing to put on a faster pace to make the tackles when Kilmarnock were on the attack. Rucking was a little slow from both sides. Towards the end of the game Cumnock were looking to beat their East Ayrshire rivals 11-9. With only a few minutes to go Kilmarnock tested the cougar defence pushing them back and scoring two tries to end the game a draw 11 each. Kilmarnock coach saying that he enjoyed watching such a good show of rugby from both teams. And I'm sure all players enjoyed themselves playing the game.

Next up Ardrossan who had 13 players. So this game both teams coaches agreed to give players more game time we would play 8 aside. This was a more contact game with less space to make runs with two more players on the field. Ardrossan was a tough game, from the first breakdown down it was obvious Cumnock had to set up the rucks a lot quicker to avoid losing the ball. This game both teams hardest plays were trying to find space to break defence. After a game against Kilmarnock where tackling was not a strong point the Cougars made more of an effort against Ardrossan to hold their attacking opponents at bay. Closing in on half time the game was tight, with both Cumnock and Ardrossan coaches concentrating on players performance nobody knew the score.
Into the second half the Cougars were still not getting into the rucks fast enough most of the time to stop a turn over ball. With ball carriers realising this there was more offloads and a few well placed pop passes by the Cougars. Drawing to the end of the game it was obvious Ardrossan had edged ahead in tries (still not sure score) as final whistle blew Ardrossan had won the game in tries but Cumnock squad came out as winners for their performance and dedication to this game of rugby.

To end the mornings games while Kilmarnock and Ardrossan played each other. Cumnock p4 and p5 squads mixed together and split into two teams for a final game of the day.

Squad. P4s Aron, Tony, Dylan, Jack, Kenzie and John P5s Mathew, Sophie, Thomas and Aiden