Cumnock 33 Garnock 21

Report by Ian Park

From the off it looked like the makeshift Nock side may be facing up to a long day at the office, for the second week Cumnock could only field 15 boys but on the plus side it was a variation on the team from last week.

Garnock took the game to the hosts from the whistle and quickly found the line on the blind side and a good kick found Cumnock 0-7 down. The realisation that they would have to work for the win kicked in, the boys started to organise themselves and mixed the play to make territory, with players settling into some unfamiliar positions. The reply came from the hard working Bradley Smith stretching over for the first Cumnock score to close the game 5-7.

Cumnock were now playing the better rugby and Smith scored again before the break with Alistair Birrell adding the extras, to set up the second half leading 12-7.

Cumnock started the half brightly taking the game to the visitors. A typical tackle bursting run from Michael Anderson saw the first points, Birrell adding the extras for 19-7. The next score saw scrum half Aidan Kerr made the break, supported by Smith who cleverly offloaded out the back to the rampaging Thomas Findlay on the wing to complete a good move. Again Birrell added the points, 26-7. Now it was all Cumnock, from a penalty 10 metres out Scott Teece took the responsibility and crashed through three tackles to advance the score, with Birrell’s extras, to 33-7.

In the latter stages of the game the improvised makeup of the Cumnock team was starting to take its toll, with two off injured Garnock came back and pressed the Nock deep into their half. After losing a converted score (33-14), desperate defending by Cumnock then saw 2 yellow cards to deplete the team to 11 to finish the game, Garnock scored in the last minute to make the score more respectable and finish the game 33-21.

It was an outstanding effort again by 15 starters with no subs in what was a very completive game, the coaches continue to be pleasantly surprised by the commitment of the boys who take the field and look forward to the season with a full squad.

The u18 team is on the lookout boys age 16 or 17 who would like to play rugby, if you are interested contact the Rugby Club or training is on Tuesday and Thursdays at Rugby Club 7.00pm

Team: Bradley Smith, Aidan Kerr, Glen Young, Ryan McCrone, Thomas Findlay, Kyle Farrow, Tyler Wallace, Michael Anderson, Sean Houston, Scott Teece, Ross Haddow, Thomas Grierson, Dylan Lawrie, Aiden Walker