Cumnock at East Kilbride Festival

Cumnock’s P4 team travelled to Calder Glen Country Park in East Kilbride for their festival of 2019 on a very warm and sunny day. All kids showed amazing teamwork and determination today from Euan using his legendary power to drive through the defenders to Aaron, Alfie, Neil and Ross were on fire with blistering pace and running the full length of the pitch on many occasions. Jake kept doing his trademark tackle of smashing into the defenders at full speed. Both Adam K and Adam S were all over the pitch bringing down the attacking defence. Daniel showed he had been paying attention at training and on his very first game day showed amazing tackling and try scoring tactics and when Stuart got into the matches, he showed some excellent ball carrying with him being denied multiple times close to the line.

The first game was against Ardrossan 2 who started very swiftly and shocked the young Cougars who started with their usual first match jitters. It was end to end stuff with Cumnock learning that Ardrossan had improved over the previous months greatly and we had to play catch up initially. However, when our heroes found their pace each and every time, they had the ball the pitch was lit up with the fast tries being scored. Ardrossan though battled hard and were made work for each try they scored and it was very closely fought match. Cumnock spent most of it on the back foot as they would score very fast tries and then defend for long periods. A hotly contested match was reflected in the final score and it was nail biting stuff from start to finish but a well enjoyed and very fair contest.

Final Score: Ardrossan 9 – Cumnock 9

Match 2 was again against another Ardrossan team who were Ardrossan 1. Cumnock started on fine form this time with a very fast tempo from the outset which the opposition simply could not handle. Time and again we were pressed by the attackers but more often than not we were able to stop the onslaught and also turn it over to our attack. With additional support form all of our super subs we soon dominated the game however the referee may have been experiencing a bout of sunstroke as he had other ideas at hand and saw very few tries for but plenty against our local heroes. Despite this the young lads were able to power through and showed great resilience which the score e hoed at the final whistle.

Final Score: Ardrossan 9 – Cumnock 9

Our third match, which was also our third in a row helped us keep up our winning ways although a fantastic Linlithgow side certainly had ideas on the coveted trophy that awaited the winners of the day. Both sides had a great game and was one of the best of the year with it really being a defender’s match. Our usual blistering pace moving forward had to be swapped to a fantastic scramble defence as the Linlithgow pressed and pressed. Both teams showed that they were enjoying the day and relished the challenge that they posed for each other and both coaches agreed it was exactly the game both teams were needing.

Final Score: Linlithgow 7 – Cumnock 8

After a quick break the next match was against our gracious hosts. We have played East Kilbride quite a few times over the last couple of seasons and each and every time it has always been a very fun match for both teams and today’s game didn’t disappoint. From the, by now, obligatory Rock Paper Scissors for kick off rights to the final whistle all kids had a smile on their face and enjoyed how the festival should be played by all. All the fans were treated equally to a tremendous spectacle as Cumnock were able to charge into light speed from one end of the pitch to the other each and every time, they had the ball and even due to perfectly timed interception by Alfie when the opposition had the ball, we were able to score.

Final Score: East Kilbride 8 – Cumnock 11

Match 5 again pitted us against a very familiar adversary in Strathaven Rugby Club but once again the Cumnock P4s were able to eek out every single advantage they could from each tackle to every zig zag around the opposition we could show that we work hard at training and also play hard on match day. Another good game was had by all and our victorious heroes were by this time on the verge of another special day bringing home a trophy.

Final Score: Strathaven 7 – Cumnock 9

Our final game was against a very well drilled Ayr side. However, from the very first footsteps on the pitch showed that they were not there to have fun and rather than twist and score past our defenders they were only interested in twisting and bending the rules to meet their needs. From hand offs in the face to pushing off the ball and horrifically grabbing by the throat they proved that not all teams can play the game in the spirit that it should be. The young but feisty Cumnock Cougars though showed great heart and determination despite the same referee from Game 2 allowing what amounted to be a very unfair contest as each and every time they were struck down, they came back with the same fair and honest approach that they always do. Even after a lengthy stoppage by a very disappointed coach the referee continued to be blinded by the sun and do nothing. The resilience shown by the Cumnock players was amazing to see and all on the side-lines were baffled by the heart and teamwork that was shown. The final score line didn’t show the win but the players were praised highly for their moral victory over a very disappointing Ayr that have shown time and again that they can play very fair rugby and play extremely well but chose not to on this occasion.

Final Score: Ayr 10 – Cumnock 8

Match Day Score: Opposition 50 – Cumnock 57

Squad: Ross, Stuart, Alfie, Aaron, Jake, Euan, Adam K, Adam S, Daniel & Neil.

Match Report By Chris Lisett.