Cumnock S1 - Cougars Maul Greenock

Cumnock kicked-off the first period, playing into the sun. The game ebbed and flowed, with good breaks from both teams, with some equally good covering tackles when required. The Cumnock pack started to win some good ball at the breakdown and the backs got the chance to move the ball wide, showing off their excellent handling skills and running deep into the Greenock half. Just before the interval Cumnock pressure on the Greenock backs nearly resulted in a score, however there was a knock-on just before the touchdown. From the resulting five metre scrum, McLaren took one against the head allowing Kerr to release Aitken into the corner for the first score. Reilly converted to give Cumnock a 4-0 lead at the break.

The coaches were full of praise and looked for more of the same in the second period. However, Cumnock seemed to relax a bit and allowed Greenock more space to run at the defence. Two scores followed for Greenock, both of which were converted. Then Gordon broke from the back of a ruck just inside the Greenock half, fed to Reilly and after a looping run took the return pass and powered over for a well deserved score. Greenock had a slender 8-7 lead at the end of this period.

In the final 15 minutes of the game Cumnock domninated all phases of the play. The forwards were first to every breakdown and turned over Greenock time and time again. This gave Cumnock most of the posession and only some determined tackling from Greenock prevented the pacy Cumnock backs from scoring at will. Some great passing allowed the wingers a number of opportunities to run at their opposite numbers and Hendry, Wight and Reilly all had chances to score. Scrum-half Kerr was alert at a scrum near the Greenock line, picking up from the back of the scrum and darting through un-opposed for a fine score, with Reilly adding the extras. Shortly afterwards Reilly chipped through into the corner and the ever alert Aitken was first there to touch down for his second try of the day. A well deserved 14-8 vicory.

The coaches were full of praise for all of the team, particularly considering that this was only the fourth game of the season. No player was singled out as man of the match as this was a great team effort with everyone playing their part. However mention must be made of the donkey of the day, awarded to Aiden Kerr for his attempted drop goal, which only rose about two feet off the ground and struck the referee!

Team, Phillips, McLaren, Harkiss, Faulds, Gordon, Kerr, Reilly, Aitken, Howie, Wight and Hendry