Cumnock S1 - Victory at Killie 06/09/09

Cumnock travelled down to Kilmarnock for their opening game of the season, minus a few experienced players and with one new face. Moving up from the mini-section to play midi-rugby is always a big step, introducing more of the laws of the game and playing on a full size pitch. Kilmarnock are always a well drilled team and this would be their third game of the season, giving them the edge on Cumnock, or so it was expected.

The game was to be played over three 15 minute periods and Cumnock started the first period well. The backs were very sharp in setting up their alignment and the forwards were getting around the pitch well. However, the larger Kilmarnock pack were winning some good ruck ball and were putting the squeeze on at the scrums. Nevertheless, some quick thinking allowed scrum-half Aiden Kerr to pick the ball from the back of a scrum and squeeze through the Kilmarnock defence for the first score, converted by Jack Reilly. Reilly added to the score with a good try and converstion just before the interval.

During the break the coaches were able to speak to the forwards regarding body positions at scrums and rucks and straight away there was an improvement in this part of their game. The forwards were winning their fair share of ball at the breakdowns and the backs were linking well and created a number of over-laps, which unfortunately weren't used. The teams traded scores with Reilly again scoring a try following a move from a penalty inside the Kilmarnock 22.

In the final part of the match Kilmarnock ran in two fine scores from deep, missed tackles letting the winger through, however one of the conversions was missed. Kerr scored again, with Reilly adding the extras, for Cumnock rounding off a fine performance for the whole team. Tackler of the day was Gavin Wight, playing in his first ever rugby match and man of the match was Scott Faulds who ripped the ball from the opposition at will.

Cumnock team was R.Phillips, R.McLaren, C McKenzie, Z North, S. Faulds, A Harkiss, A Kerr, J Reilly, G Aitken, T Howie, G Wight, E Hendrie, with AN Other from Kilmarnock.

The coaches are on the look-out for more S1 players to add to the team so if you fancy TRYing out rugby SCRUM on down to Broomfield on a Tuesday and Thursday night at 7pm.