Game 1 was off to a slow start, took a few minutes for Cumnock to wake up. Ardrossan had successfully run in 3 tries before the Cumnock team managed to get over the line. We started seeing some amazing rucking and great game play which was exciting for coaches and parents to watch. Massive runs from both teams were consistent in the first half but defence was strong from both sides. With the game tied 3-3. Cumnock managed to secure 4 try. Aron making his powerful push through the defence drawing in 3 or 4 opponents before passing the ball out to a team mate. Ellie was also showing some power in game one, not giving up and trying to burst through the defence with atleast 2 players hanging off her. John and Kenzie making another 2 tries to finish the first half 5-6 to Cumnock.
The team was on a high after a fantastic first half and during half time team talk they discussed a plan of action to keep up the good work in the second half. This was Danielle and lily's first game of rugby the 2 new lassies looked to be having the time of their life out there. Showing no fear making tackles and getting that ball up field as well. Leo also found his way in this half with a bit more confidence in running in that ball trying to make as much ground as possible. Our tackle machine of game 1 has to go to Bobby and Tony who were showing no mercy to the Ardrossan p7 team. The game was really close throughout the second half with only a frlew tries for both sides. Cumnock managed to retain the lead when the final. Whistle blew ending the game 8-9 to Cumnock.

Game 2.

With the efforts of the first game still fresh in the teams minds no one could have blamed t m for wanting to relax on the beach a short distance away with an ice cream cone however this was not to be the case as the team chose to build on a gruelling first game.

With Ellie winning the toss Cumnock chose to have possession to start the first ten minutes. It did not prove vital as both teams found them selves at loggerheads with the strong defensive plays from both teams ensuring the early minutes of the first half to be a stalemate with countless tackles and Rucks won and lost with no ground or breaks found by either side. The Cumnock side worked tirelessly as a team to prevent an eager addrossan side from gaining anything with new girl Danielle along with the help of tony causing a complete shut out on the left hand side which forced ardrossan to attempt to progress through the mid field however this was not meant to be with Leo Ellie Arron and John being even more aggressive in their attempts to regain possession . The stunned addrosan side managed to string a few passes together to get to the opposite wing however they were met with kenzie jack and Bobby who managed to take the on coming defender into touch securing possession. With the ball in hand the Cumnock side set the line and began to fight back to the centre of the park. A foul for not releasing the tackles player was to prove vital for the Cumnock side Aaron took restart John managed to get within ten metres of the try line before being brought down by four of the nine opposing players creating space. Quick thinking and great vision from jack allowed quick ball which was shipped for Ellie to cross the line and score in the left corner.

With Cumnock in the lead they faced an angered ardrossan side. The addrossan side restarted very bravely and despite the dogged Cumnock defence managed to get a break through of their own equalling the score.
A shocked Cumnock team after losing the score seemed a bit deflated that there efforts were unsuccessful ran the ball in causing a ruck which was very well secured by the ardrossan side.
After a few gruelling phases ardrossan got the reward for the hard work when the got over the line for a second time surrounded by the Cumnock team.
The challenge had been set to the Cumnock team and they knew they must show the same grit and determination that had seen them progress in the earlier game. With the time dwindling a shake up in the team was required with debutant lily swapping with Danielle. With Leo on restart duties the game was on a knife edge. Tony took up the honours and ran fearlessly at the addrossan defence backed up by John and jack. The attack was thwarted and a strong Ruck formed securing possession of the ball for Cumnock. Bobby took up the role of scrum half shipping the ball to Aaron who was stopped ten metres from the line with kenzie and Lilly securing the ball however the referee noticed an infringement in the initial tackle and awarded a scrum to Cumnock with very little time left. Ellie Leo and Bobby formed the scrum with John jack and lily opting to set up on the left of the scrum
Aaron picked the ball up from the scrum and opted to go blindside and pop the ball to kenzie who crashed over the line making it two each with only one minute to go.
Addrossan began their attack however an uplifted Cumnock side kept the team at bay and when the ball was dropped in a tackle it was jack droys time to shine as he managed to kick a ball which was lose through the whole pack and lead the chase . With the ball bouncing around and the foot chase under way jack kicked the ball further clear into the scoring zone where it nestled kindly awaiting jacks embrace as he was clear through however his elation was short lived as the referee rather dubiously blew for a knock on against jack that ended the half.

A tired but determined Cumnock side left the field of play with the game hanging in the balance.

After a rousing team talk the gauntlet was thrown down to the Cumnock side to put everything into this last ten minutes of rugby as it would be the last of what has been a tumultuous year for all involved.

Due to this being the last ten minutes both teams decided to go all out and field all players available raising the teams to 10v 10. After a short wait on jack the game was finally ready to begin with both teams eager to show what they were capable of and not wanting the stalemate off the first half.

Ardrossan started the match but were very quickly turned over in the very first ruck of the game with Bobby and Ellie counter rucking to perfection allowing jack to get the ball out to kenzie. Kenzie showed amazing athletic ability to run past four ardrossan defenders and after he crossed the try line the elation was written all over his face and that of everyone watching however this quickly turned to despair as what can only be described as an American football touchdown followed with kenzie bouncing the ball on the ground in celebration instead of grounding the ball properly. The ball was awarded to ardrossan 5 metres from there own line. The throw in was like poetry for Cumnock as the miss pass thrown found the addrossan player facing an oncoming Aaron Hewitt who relished the one v one leo and John closely followed in and the ruck was won and Cumnock secured the ball a quick interchange with Bobby and tony saw tony cross the line scoring to give Cumnock the lead they deserved.
Cumnock restarted the game hungry for more with tackles flying in from all players making addrossan fight for every inch of ground. It took an enormous amount of effort but the Cumnock team managed to gain a turnover three yards from their own line after a scything tackle by Bobby ended the dreams of the addrossan player and jack and kenzie cleaned up the rest with an excellent display of the fine rucking we had seen all day. John collected the ball and popped it to Ellie who was behind her own try line. The ball then vanished up her jumper as she pinned her ears back and sprinted straight down the park leaving everyone watching on as she scored again.
A now dismayed ardrossan team began again however opted to go left which almost ended in disaster for the addrossan as a determined Danielle held the defender until Leo and Bobby were there to assist the ball was lost in the tackle which fell straight at the feet of the ever eager lily who stormed down the line . Everyone willing her on however it was not to be on this day and a last ditch attempt from a lone addrossan defender pulled her into touch. This rejuvenated the addrossan side and they made there way back up the park. Their relentless work failed again when the ball was turned over in the centre of the park and kenzie made no mistake this time in scoring a try. Bringing the score to 5-2 to Cumnock who were relentless in there pursuit of possession. Ardrossan finally managed to give there fans something to cheer about when a very well worked play paid off with the addrossan player grounding the ball over Cumnock try line This did not phase the Cumnock side who started the game as quick as possible and jack would get his just rewards when a pass from Danielle allowed him the freedom to find a gap crossing the line to keep space between both sides.
With the score at 6-3 there was not much time left however there was still time Danielle and Ellie caught the opposition napping with the ball on the left and subsequently threw him out the park gaining possession and the rest was like poetry in motion Bobby passed the ball missing lily finding Aaron who popped it to John who made his way forward with Leo following closely in support however with tony jack and kenzie all screaming for the ball I was snapped up by kenzie and he did not make the same
Mistake twice scoring again.

Cumnocks dogged determination and outstanding efforts throughout had finally paid off and a deflated opposition looked to the referee for the final whistle which he obliged ending the game 7-3 much to the delight of all spectators

A huge well done to Danielle and Lily for stepping up and playing their first game and done an amazing job.

What a finish to the last game of the season

Report by Chris Parker and Neil Given

Match details

Match date

Sun 20 Jun 2021

Kickoff

10:15

Meet time

10:15

Location

Ardrossan ARFC

Team overview