Cumnock S2’s at Paisley 7’s – 22/04/2012

A few weeks after the S2’s success at the Kilmarnock tournament they travelled, with a shortened squad of 10, up to Paisley for their first attempt at the energy sapping 7’s rugby and they very nearly done it again, running out beaten finalists.

Drawn in the ‘group of death’ Cumnock started off against Cartha Queens Park and despite losing the first score Cumnock soon got into their stride and their free flowing passing soon paid off and in the end ran out good winners, however injuries and illness depleted the already limited squad for the next game against Bishopton. Cumnock continued their good form into the second game but put themselves under pressure not defending a penalty and allowed Bishopton to come within a score of drawing but time was on the Nock’s side and they made it two from two.

The last game of the group was against the hosts Paisley, who had players that towered over the Cumnock players but as the coaches have seen over the season this makes no difference to this team who continued to play passing rugby and tackled everything. The close game was again won by Cumnock to go through to the semi-final unbeaten and impressing with some great rugby.

The semi-final against the fancied Uddingston was to be a bruising encounter and while Cumnock had all their players back, the days rugby was already taking its toll on the squad of 10 (with most other teams bringing more players to freshen up their squads). The game itself went score for score, the Cougars leading the scoring with Uddingston replying, whose game plan was clear with one big boy scoring all their tries. A draw at full time put the game to sudden death and despite losing the toss and kicking off Cumnock pressed Uddingston back and forced an error to score from the resultant scrum for a place in the final.

Some of the rugby Cumnock played in the previous two games against much bigger opposition was a joy to watch and an unbiased view from the Cumnock coaches was that they were playing the best rugby in the tournament BUT the Cougars hit the wall in the final and lost to a much fresher Kilmarnock squad with lots of good runners.

The coaches were very impressed by the boys’ effort and some of the rugby was fantastic. The squad was Calum Park, Alastair Birrell, Conner Hill, Alex Smith, Garry Balmer, Gavin Gilliland, James Smith, Daryl McCulloch, Glen Young and Joe Smith.

Picture of S2 finalists with medals (last picture on right).