Glasgow Festival Report

Boosted by some players for the P7 team Cumnock Rfc s1 team headed north to to the Glasgow Region S1 Festival held at Hughenden on Sunday. The format of the festival promotes fair play and the display of skills by teams rather than focussing solely on results. The draw earlier in the week had pitted the travelling cumnock side against two known adversaries in East Kilbride and Uddingston plus a team that they had not encountered before in Alan Glens.

Cumnock 19 (v) 10 East Kilbride

Cumnock started slowly in this game and whilst playing the better rugby found themselves down by two unconverted scores very quickly. The coaches encouraged the team to play a more expansive game when they were in possession and in so doing they steadily the clawed their way back into the game. Excellent defensive work from the whole team regularly produced turnover ball and fierce rucking when in possession so ensuring quick, high quality ball for the Cumnock backs to exploit. Pick of the scores came from Gavin White who ran in a long range try after numerous phases of play and then a slick movement wide to the S1 "speed merchant" which he took to the line from 50 metres out. Other scorers included Taylor Howie(x2), Callan Gordon with Jack Reilly converting 3 of the 5 touchdowns. Taylor Howie picked up the Cumnock Man of the Match award.

Cumnock 19 v 13 Alan Glens

Although boosted by their performance in the first game the S1 side took the field with some trepidation as having never encountered Alan Glens before they were a bit of an unknown quantity. In the early stages Cumnock would score only to have this cancelled out by Glens. However the coaches once again encouraged the team to press forward using the quality ball they were winning to good effect. Once again the team found another gear and steadily pulled ahead of their opponents. Two scores by Callan Gordon are worth a mention in this game, firstly, a barreling run breaking at least 5 tackles then a 30 metres sprint to touch down under the sticks raised applause from the gathered onlookers. The second followed slick passing to winger White who was tackled out wide but presented beuatflly, first on the scene was the intiator of the move, Reilly, who cleared out the opposition allowng Gordon to pick up run in under the sticks agian. Other scorers in game were Andrew Harkiss, Taylor Howie and Aiden Kerr with Reilly converting 4 from 5. Man of the Match award for Cumnock went to Aiden Kerr

Cumnock 4 v 14 Uddingston

This game was to prove a "bridge too far" for the tiring S1 side as Uddingston focussed their play on two particularly strong/quick runners who terrorised the 'Nock defence. Whilst controlling a number of phases of the game Cumnock would pay dearly for small mistakes with the result being long range trys for Uddy who by half time held a comfortable lead. The coaches tried their best to lift the team but it was clear that the previous two games had taken their toll and the Cumnock side were running on empty. The solitary scorer for Cumnock in this game was the tenacious Callan Gordon with Reilly finishing of a fine kicking day by converting from wide. Man of the Match for Cumnock was once again Aiden Kerr.

Overall the coaches were delighted with the performances shown by the team. One of the coaches commented that "The recent focus on defensive duties at training is starting to show signs of being carried over to game day, the continued application by the players to improve this area of their game coupled with their obvious attacking abilities can only bode well for the future". Special thanks to the P7 players Alex Smith, Connor Hill, Gavin Shankland, Lewis Andrews and Daryl McCulloch who all made a significant contribution to play on the pitch throughout the day.

S1 Training will continue at the Cumnock Academy 3g Pitch this week and next before reverting to the grass pitches on the week the schools return. P7 and U15 players are reminded to get their payment to the coaches for the trip to Glasgow this weekend firstly for a coaching clinic with the Warriors coaches and players then on to watch them play Gwent Dragons at Firhill in the Magners League - Full details will be posted on the website during week.