Cumnock S1 - Long lay off takes its toll

After an extended lay off the Cumnock S1' faced a trip to Uddingston determined to produce a performance to get their season on track again. With difficult conditions both teams started well but is was the hosts that put the vital first score on the board after a break down the Cumnock flank coupled with some less than convincing tackling. Although caught a little cold Cumnock buckled down to task and some incisive running from speed merchants Gavin Whyte and Euan Hendry saw Cumnock deep in "Uddy" territory for phase after phase however a score remained elusive and Uddingstons' scrambling defence managed to hold out to the whistle.

At the break the coaches were pleased and encouraged the team to keep their composure but stressed the work rate from the forwards needed to improve.

The middle game of the session produced more of the same with both teams fairly evenly matched. It was the hosts who took full advantage of some Cumnock mistakes to post two unanswered tries. There was a feeling on the touchline that the performances from forwards Ross Phillips, Callan Gordon, Robbie McLaren and Scott Faulds were starting to reap rewards and that more of the same in the last game would bear fruit.

With the momentum starting to swing towards Cumnock the team were looking to rescue some pride and avoid the whitewash. At last the potential of this team started to show with attack after attack forcing the majority of this last stanza to be played deep in Uddingston territory. The forwards started to win good ball allowing Aiden Kerr and Jack Reilly to drive the team up the park form the half back position building the platform for some Cumnock scores. A quick tap from a short penalty by Aiden Kerr and a rampaging charge from Callan Gordon leaving a trail of Uddingston defenders in his wake saw both crash over for scores. With both kicks converted by Reilly this was the performance the coaches had been looking for although too late to rescue the match.

The coaches were very positive and are now looking for the team to carry this performance forward to their next game, at home to Stewartry, on Sunday 1st November (KO 1400)