Cumnock 2xv travelled through to Bearsden to face Hillhead/Jordanhill 2A on Saturday for the opening match of their West Reserve 2 league campaign.

Both fixtures against Hillhead/Jordanhill in the 2016/17 season resulted in what could only be described as a "kicking" for lack of a better term 47-5 and 27-0. Cumnock knew that this opening match was going to be a challenge and a massive test of all the tireless effort and training the squad had put in throughout the summer. Cumnock knew, after only narrowly avoiding relegation the previous season they had a point to prove and show that they deserved to still be in this league.

From arriving and observing the opponents a sense of complacency could be felt from Hillhead/Jordanhill, from last years results this was understandable as they had it easy on previous encounters. McCauley kicked of from the start and the Cumnock charged up to keep Hillhead firmly in their own half. Several phases were run straight into the Cumnock forwards and shut down instantaneously. The first 10 mins of the game was predominantly played in the opponents territory phase after phase was shut down and eventually Cumnock were awarded a well sought after penalty in front of the posts to which Taylor slotted over with ease 0-3 Cumnock.

This was the wake up call Hillhead/Jordanhill were waiting for and now they knew they had a game on their hands. Cumnock 2xv seemed to go downhill slightly from here and allowed three unanswered tries from their well drilled opponents and blistering pace of their fullback and wingers. Cumnock needed to pull something out the bag as they knew a repeat of last season was not going to suffice.

Cumnock keen to get the momentum going saw squad Captain Given take the ball from the back of a ruck and draw in the defence and pop of his shoulder and put loose head prop Luni through the packed defence and from here much to the disbelief of the opponents saw Luni run 60 yards upfield, brushing over several defenders until support finally caught up and fullback G McMillan finally crossed the whitewash with Taylor adding the extras score now at 17-10 at half time.

A sense of self belief was evident from the start of the second half with Cumnock now working relentlessly Thomson, Gibson, McKenzie, Bowditch and the rest of the forwards were now dominating rucks, breakdowns and generally all over the park the squad effort put in by Cumnock was outstanding and night and day to previous seasons. Cumnock RFC stalwart Barr and the rest of the backs were now getting a chance to show the skills and pace with wingers M McMillan and C Hunter both getting plenty of opportunities to push the opponents defence to its limits.

The next score came in Cumnocks favour when an agitated Hillhead/Jordanhill player tackled G McMillan dangerously high resulting in a penalty try and Hillhead being shown a very deserving red card score 17-17.

One further unconverted try was scored from Hillhead to which Cumnock responded back with an unconverted try of their own at the hands of Bowditch. Full time 22-22

All things being considered this is a massive result for the 2xv going from the clutches of relegation to drawing with a team whom decimated Cumnock previously. Coach Ramage was very pleased with the performance and said that he couldn't ask for any more than the 100% every player gave on Saturday.

The 2xv are scheduled to play their first home fixture this coming Saturday at 3pm against West of Scotland, any support is greatly appreciated.

Squad: McCurdy, Gibson, Luni, Given (C), McKenzie, B McMillan, Thomson, Bowditch, Taylor, McCauley, Hunter, Taylor, Barr, McMillan
Subs: Mcrone, Johnston, Wylie, Young

Report by Scott Given