Cumnock u18 13 Kilmarnock u18 10

Report by Ian Park

On a clement Broomfield afternoon that belied the promise of seasonal fireworks from a local derby, Cumnock looked to continue their good start to the revamped league against local rivals Kilmarnock.

After last weeks good performance the Nock were full of confidence, anticipating more of the same and from the kick off Cumnock retained possession and took the game to Killie. A number of phases took Cumnock within sight of the vistors line and with a huge overlap available Stephen Robson managed to ignore it and dived over from close range for the first score, Jack Reilly kicked the extra points for a quick 7-0 lead. However, despite being camped in the Kilmarnock half for much of the remainder of the first half a combination of poor finishing and resolute Killie defending denied Cumnock any further score.

Killie’s only foray into the Nock’s half resulted in a 3 point penalty and despite Cumnock’s huge territorial advantage the half time score remained 7-3

The second half was more even, Cumnock’s passing woes continued to level the game and the Killie defence snuffed out the few line breaks that Cumnock made. For the first time in the game Kilmarnock broke the Cumnock line and despite some desperate defending they squeezed over the line to take the lead 7-10.

Undeterred Cumnock went back up the field and ignored a kickable penalty chance by running the play but returned empty handed. But as the Nock continued to press the game Killie were conceding penalties and the pressure paid off with Jack Reilly picking himself up from a late tackle to tie the scores 10-10.

The game was now up for grabs, Cumnock time and again ignored obvious overlaps for easy scores and butchered the last pass to the relief and cheers of the Kilmarnock defence. With time and chances running out Cumnock got another penalty about 28 metres out and chose to go for the posts. Reilly kept his head and calmly stoked the ball over to the cheers of the home support to retain the lead 13-10.

Killie had time for the restart and retained possession putting pressure on the Cumnock defence working deep into the Nock danger zone. A final assault in the corner resulted in Killie crossing the whitewash but no try was given and despite the resultant stramash Cumnock held on to record the win.

Despite not playing particularly well the coaches recognise the huge work rate the boys are continuing to apply each week but they know especially after last weeks performance that there is more in the tank.

Team: Glen Young, Gavin Gilliland, Robbie McLaren, Calum Park, Gregor Aitken, Thomas Bowditch, Jack Reilly, Stephen Robson, Andrew Harkiss, Conor Hunter, Allister Elliot, Ryan McCrone, Dale West, Michael Anderson, Thomas Findlay, Craig Willison