P4 vs Dumfries (Home)

Today’s match saw Cumnock primary 4’s line up against our good friends from Dumfries for what is always an evenly matched, well contested fixture. Due to good numbers Cumnock were able to shuffle their pack up giving them 2 sides allowing the coaches to rotate the side and try some new formulas.
The game kicked off with Cumnock winning the toss. From the off Cumnock flew out the traps with Mason getting the scoreboard turning with a powerful driving run up the wing. However, a well drilled Dumfries side we’re keen to put their own stamp on the game with some impressive attacking work of their own. Some neat offloading and driving attacks saw Dumfries match Cumnock in the opening exchanges.
Cumnock were being made to work hard with Logan, Lewis, Ewan and Evan having to work extremely hard in defence to keep Dumfries at bay. At this mid-point of the 1st third Cumnock started to get the upper hand with Paul and Ryan adding to the scoresheet with some nifty footwork. Dumfries to their credit continued to press from side to side forcing Murray and Paul to stay on their toes keeping Dumfries at bay.
Cumnock maintained the pressure though and further tries from Ryan, Paul and another double for Mason took Cumnock into the first break of the match.
After a quick team talk and a whole change in personnel Cumnock lined up with a whole set of fresh legs.
Dumfries started the 2nd period on the front foot and pressed Cumnock deep into their own half forcing Reiley, Matthew and Kole to make numerous tackles to keep them out. However, the pressure kept coming with Dumfries eventually getting over the line.
The match went end to end for the majority of the period. Matthew and Reiley putting some nice tries on the board with some determined running, never giving up and forcing themselves over the line. Not to be outdone Cuinn got in on the act forcing her way between two big Dumfries defenders and powering her way over the try line.
Dumfries kept coming though and Cumnock were having to dig in. Aaron and Finlay doing their best trying to put themselves in front of Dumfries and holding onto the quick attackers. In the final minutes of the third Cumnock found themselves forcing Dumfries deep into their half. A neat offload from Murray into the arms of Kole who charged his way over the line taking some defenders with him. After an end to end tussle, a well-deserved break followed.
The final third started off in similar fashion to the first, Cumnock winning the toss, some quick direct attacking play found Lewis in space who weaves his way over the line for an early try. Holes started to appear in Cumnock’s defence and a powerful Dumfries side were winning their fair share of turnovers forcing Cumnock into touch. Dumfries added some tries of their own however Cumnock were straight back on the front foot. A powerful driving run by Mason leading him to a try was quickly followed up by a similar run on the other wing by Paul who added one of his own.
Another shuffle of the pack again kept Cumnock’s style of play changing however Dumfries were causing all sorts of problems for the home defence. After a super try-saving tackle by Matthew deep in Cumnock’s half, a quick offload was made to Aaron who put the burners on only to be stopped yards from the try line. However, Cumnock were not done here, the ball found its way, via neat offloads from Matthew, Cuinn and Evan, to Riley who side-stepped his way over the line for one of 2 nice tries he picked up in the final third.
The full-time whistle sounded with Cumnock edging Dumfries 16 tries to 15.
Try scorers: Mason 4, Reiley 3, Ryan 3, Paul 2, Cuinn, Lewis, Kole, Matthew
Squad: Ryan M, Lewis, Mason, Paul, Logan, Evan, Ewan, Matthew, Reiley, Kole, Cuinn, Aaron, Murray, Finlay.
Report by J Leitch