Cumnock S1 V Kilmarnock S1/S2 Match Report

Both teams took a few minutes to get going in the first period but it was Kilmarnock that gelled better, stringing together a few passes and threatening to break through the Cumnock defence. The home team were always on the back foot and only some last minute tackles stopped Killie from scoring. However the larger visitors began to break down the Cumnock resolve and some poor tackling allowed them in to score three times without a reply. All of the tries were converted to give the visitors a comfortable 0-12 lead at the first break.

A stern lecture from the coaches saw a different Cumnock team take the field. Taylor Howie was taken off injured and replaced by a sub from the Killie bench who made a telling contribution by scoring the first Cumnock try. This galvanised the Cumnock players into action at last and they started to compete for the ball. Some great rucking by the Cumnock forwards forced turn over possession and the resulting move saw Callan Gordon charging up the field for an impressive score. The home team created a number of other chances but failed to convert the possession into points. Kilmarnock were camped inside the Cumnock 22 for a long spells but some great defending saw Cumnock emerge with the ball again and again and force a break out. Kilmarnock pulled one back just before the interval, which they converted, bringing the score to 6-16.

Cumnock dominated the final period and took the game by the scruff of the neck. The forwards started to dominate the breakdowns, rucking their larger opponents off the ball. This gave some good possession to the backs, allowing Gregor Aitken and Callan Gordon (earning him the man of the match award) to score to great tries following some tremendous running and passing. Cumnock defended valiantly with some great hits from Aitken, Harkiss, Kerr, Vallance and Reilly notable amongst many other quality tackles. Kilmarnock forced another score against the run of play to end the game 13-19 to the visitors.

The coaches were delighted with the way the boys responded after he first period. It would have been too easy to let their heads go down but the players knuckled down and got on with the job, finishing the game the stronger team. It should be noted that the Kilmarnock team was made up largely of S2 players so the close call with the score emphasizes just how well the home team played.

The team is still looking for new players so if you are interested in giving rugby a try then come down to the Cumnock Academy astro-turf on a Thursday night at 6pm to find out more.