Cumnock/Ayr U16 21 Newton Stewart U16 14

With head coach Harry Reilly missing due to illness, the boys were told to keep things simple and be strong in the tackle, and to a man the team delivered big tackles time and time again.

Cumnock/Ayr started strongly with Euan Park going through for a try in the first few minutes but the referee judge that the ball was held up. Cumnock continued to pressure the Newton Stewart line and finally got their reward when Ross Anderson crossed the line for the first try, Anderson converted.

Newton Stewart equalised in their first drive into Cumnock/Ayr territory scoring in the corner from 5 metres out, they also converted. The game was tied at halftime with both teams equally matched.

In the second half Cumnock/Ayr again made the breakthrough first with Ross Anderson forcing his way up the park and offloading to the supporting Euan Park to score under the posts, Anderson converted. Again Newton Stewart equalised from close range and only a few try saving tackles from Cumnock/Ayr stopped them from going in front.

With the game looking like a draw the Cumnock/Ayr forwards managed a turnover in a ruck on the halfway and Chris Scott picked the resulting ball and going on the narrow side ran in the winning try in the last minute, Anderson converted.

Although only the scorers are listed here it was a real team performance and while a lot of the players are new this season, the teams performances have improved each week and the coaches hope that this result will act as a springboard for the remainder of the season.

With Harry still to break his duck in attendance with the team, we hope he’s not a jinx and we’ll catch up with the ice cream at the next win.