Cumnock s2 27 Hamilton s2 12

Report by Morton Houston

The game was played in great conditions despite heavy rain through the night.

Cumnock came out the blocks at 100 miles an hour in the first of 3 20 minutes sessions.. Inspirational pack leader Wallace Findlay returned this week and put in a man of the match performance. Showing pace, strength and tremendous skill he tore holes in the visitors defence and distributed the ball brilliantly. Cumnock scored 4 tries in this session all of them unconverted. The pick of these was a flowing move which ultimately saw Finlay drive through two tacklers before doing a “Sonny Bill Williams” off load to Ross Marr who scored in the corner. This was just reward for Marr who had his best game of the season with solid tackling and numerous runs. Other tries came from the Mauchline bulldozer, Jamie Drummond, Wallace Findlay and Cumnock flyer Dylan Chidwick.

In the second 20 Cumnock rested on their laurels a bit and allowed Hamilton to come back into the game. Hamilton are a plucky side that kept competing throughout the game. This led two well deserved scores.

In the last session Cumnock got back on the front foot. Players like Jamie Caldwell, Ashley Popowizc and Scott Wallace stuck in well whilst Ross Briody had a terrific running and tackling game. The last session got a bit boisterous and credit to the Cumnock players that they kept their cool and continued to play rugby. This eventually paid off as Drummond powered 50 metres up the line to score between the posts. Findlay converted to finish the scoring.

Coach Billy Ramsay commented, “ This was a much improved performance from Cumnock it is hard to believe they are the same team that was well beaten last week. We had a big increase in effort from the whole team which added up to a good win. If the players can continue to bring this increased determination we should do ok this season.”

Next week Cumnock are away to Garnock at Kilburnie. Anyone interested in joining the S1 or S2 teams should come along to training at 6:30 at Auchinleck Academy astro parks on Tuesdays and Thursdays.