U18 Team Gives Glasgow Giants Run For Their Money

GHA U18 29 : 19 Cumnock RFC U18

With a late call off on Thursday night by West League opponents Bishopton it was looking like a quiet w/e for the Cougars however a call from Glasgow powerhouse GHA presented an opportunity for a friendly albeit against a team that is currently flying high in the SRU National League.

The Cumnock side has been improving on each outing this year however there was little doubt that this would match was at a level way beyond anything they had experienced so far and would test the team to the limit. As the game kicked off on the south side of Glasgow temperatures ensured that this game was not only going to test the skills but also stretch the boundaries of endurance. Early exchanges saw the Cumnock side sticking to the game plan and driving through the midfield drawing in defenders, then attacking the space out wide. The forwards were producing quality ball and slick handling in the backline saw GHA forced deep into their own territory and only last ditch tackling prevented Cumnock wing Thomas Bowditch form scoring when he was bundled into touch a couple of meters shy of the line. The home side managed to clear their line however the ‘Nock side came back at them again and again however each assault was repelled. Play drifted from red zone to red zone as both teams sought the opening score but it was the visitors who made the first move. Cumnock fly half Jack Reilly nudged a kick deep into the corner for a defensive line out from which Cumnock forced a handling error, from the resulting scrum the dangerous back line ran a slick move. Reilly hit his midfield runners with a flat pass and then looped the runners to gather the ball, straighten and drive over for the opening unconverted try.

The home team were not happy and from the restart drove up the pitch and set up camp on the Cumnock line. Despite stout defence and a couple of clearing kicks the GHA attack drove on remorselessly and eventually penetrated the line for a levelling score. A second score for the home team came shortly after pushing the score out to 10-5. As this was deemed a training game and coupled with the temperatures it was agreed to play 3x 20 minute segments and so it was that at the whistle the scores remained unchanged. After taking on some fluids the tussle recommenced with Cumnock taking the game to the home side at every opportunity. The Cumnock forwards were working extremely hard and forcing their opponents to scrap for every inch of territory. It was Cumnock who were next to score when scrum half Aidan Kerr taking a quick tap penalty dived over the line for a try that Reilly converted to regain the lead 10-12. Shortly before the end of the second period the national league side produced some quick ball and released their super quick back line to score in the corner and retake the lead 15-12.

The tempo of the game and the heat coupled with a non-existent bench meant the last period was going test the ‘Nock resolve to the limit. The hosts were able to rotate a number of fresh players into the game and it was this that was to prove a decisive factor with two quick converted scores stretching the lead to 29-12. However it was a credit to the Cougars tenacity, as the final whistle approached, when they rounded off the scoring for the day with a last gasp drive up the park resulting in sustained pressure and it was Reilly who was on hand again to crash over from short range and then convert his own score to round of the day at 29-19.

This was a tremendous effort by the Cumnock side against a team that is littered with district and national rep players and was summed up by coach Euan Kerr “ We could not have asked any more from the boys today, their efforts were tremendous and a game like this should boost the belief of the team that they have the goods to compete with any side this season if they maintain their work rate.” Coach Harry Reilly added “ It’s games such as these that we grow as team, we learn, we develop and in turn become stronger. Our pack today put a shift in that they should be proud of and as the backs coach I know how proud the back line are to have such a committed group of individuals in front of them.

Next Saturday sees the team return to league business when Ardrossan journey down the Cumnock, KO 1400

Team: G. Aitken, G, Gilliland, T. Bowditch, C. Park, B. Smith, J. Reilly, A. Kerr, S. Robson, G. Young, R. Donnelly, R. McCrone, R. McLaren, M. Anderson.