It was a scrappy affair with both teams showing signs of rustiness after the unscheduled mid season break but Cumnock showed some flashes of style to score four unanswered tries.
The league had been scheduled to resume this weekend but an unplayable pitch at Loch Lomond meant Clydesdale stepping up at the last minute.
It was the visiting side who played most of the early rugby with some strong running in the midfield. However, Cumnock showed that the long break had not diminished their appetite for tackling and they repelled their opponents every time they attempted to break through.
Freezing conditions had made way for heavy rain and strong winds which meant that the already rusty sides made lots of handling errors, meaning plenty of opportunities for Cumnock to practice their set piece. The scrums were solid but line out ball proved difficult to hold onto because of the strong winds.
Despite this Cumnock started to establish themselves in the game with some big powerful runs from centres Tony Foster and Conor Nisbet moving their side into a dangerous position. Cumnock set up camp deep in Clydesdale territory but resolute defence from the away side held them firm, despite Scott Houston going close after dummying his way through the first line of defence. Cumnock eventually won a penalty close to the line and a quick tap saw the forwards get together to drive over for the score. Craig McWhirter made light of the strong wind as he stepped up and slotted the conversion.
Clydesdale regrouped from this and attempted to fight back using their size and weight advantage. However, Cumnock stopped every attempt they made to break through with Stuart Hunter and Blair McMillan at the forefront of the defensive effort. However, Cumnock struggled to regain possession and the first twenty minute period ended with just the one score on the board.
Cumnock were on top for most of the second twenty with returning hooker Graham Hunter showing what the side had been missing during his injury lay off with some powerful surges with the ball in hand. It wasn’t really a day for throwing the ball wide because of the wind and the soggy pitch. However, wings Gavin Kerr and Martin Thomson made the most of what came their way with some half breaks whenever they could. Once again the home side worked their way close to the line after a period of patient build up play with strong carries from Rab Donald and Jamie Thomson. Cumnock went close again with a quick tap penalty from Tony Foster who knocked on as he crossed the line. However, from the resulting scrum Cumnock pushed Clydesdale off their own ball and Jamie Thomson picked up from the back of the scrum and raced over the line unopposed. With his brother off the field, Ally McWhirter assumed the kicking duties and proved just as accurate with the conversion.
Cumnock continued to apply pressure in the third twenty minute session with strong carries from Andy McCrorie and Liam Fowler keeping Clydesdale on the back foot. The line out was functioning better too, with Graham Hunter and Blair McMillan combining well. However, Clydesdale continued to play well with some slick handling probing the defence out wide. The wall of Cumnock players held firm under heavy pressure and Cumnock managed to clear their lines through stand off Ally McWhirter. His kick went infield and was gathered by their full back. However, the Cumnock chase was good and he was tackled and then stripped of the ball by David Kerr who offloaded to the supporting Blair McMillan who romped home unopposed to score his first senior try. Craig McWhirter eased over the kick to extend his sides lead.
Cumnock continued to pressure with Scott Houston, Rab Donald and Tony Foster all continuing to carry strongly. The Clydesdale defence held firm though and the home side were forced to content themselves with their three try advantage.
However, this did not last long into the final period after some good work from the Cumnock forwards won the ball back for their side and Ally McWhirter kicked his side up the pitch into the corner. Clydesdale attempted to field it but found themselves under heavy pressure from Cumnock chasers. David Kerr once again was the provider gathering a loose ball and slipping a pass to Tony Foster who manoeuvred between the touch line and defenders to score in the corner. Craig McWhirter was off target with the conversion from the touchline.
As the light began to fade Clydesdale again applied pressure on the Cumnock line, determined to get something out of the game. However, robust defence from the home side spurred on by some massive tackles from Jamie Thomson and man of the match Stuart Hunter kept them out. Ally McWhirter did well to hold a Clydesdale player up after he had crossed the line and wide men Gavin Kerr, Gregor McMillan and Conor Nisbet reliably hauled their men down when required to.
The game ended with Cumnock celebrating a win build as much on defence as attack and glad to have been able to return to the rugby pitch after such a long break. Clydesdale proved to be a tough challenge and hopefully this match will stand Cumnock in good stead as league duties hopefully resume next Saturday.