Hamilton Bulls 25 - Cumnock / Kilmarnock Cougars 31 Report by Kevan Aitken

The home started the more lively in the first half and the Cougars were soon two scores behind. Only some stout defending kept the Hamilton pack at bay and the visitors started to find their way back into the game. Some sustained pressure in their opponents twenty two saw the Cougars create some chances but the home defence held firm. The strong Hamilton pack manged to turn over a ruck and looked to play their way out of trouble but a cheeky interception by Gregor Aitken with a jinking run to the line saw the Cougars on the score sheet mid way through the half. Further pressure looked like it was going to lead to another score but a Hamilton counter attack saw them score again to take a 15-5 lead into the break.

The Cougars were dominating the scrums and winning a lot of ball in the line-outs and were therefore gaining a lot of possession, but poor decision making and handling errors were allowing Hamilton time to regain the initiative and a further try saw the home team take a 20-5 advantage. A great break shortly afterwards saw Gregor Paxton score a fine try and the conversion took the score back to 20-12, but Hamilton scored again to establish a thirteen point lead in the final quarter.

With only fifteen minutes remaining a surging run by captain Stewart McEwan saw him upended by a Hamilton player and the referee quickly produced a yellow card, reducing the home side to fourteen players. This galavanised the visitors and wave after wave of attack ended with Paxton scoring a further two tries, one of which was converted. In the final minute of the game another back move was halted illegal and another yellow card was flourished. From the resultant penalty flanker Bradley Smith scored the decisive touchdown which was converted by Jack Reilly to seal a remarkable victory.

After three previous defeats this victory is just what the team required, they had to dig deep and the rugby that was played in the final quarter shows what they are capable of. The team has a couple of weeks off due to the school holidays then meet Allan Glens on 28th October.

Team: A Kerr, Reilly, Wight, Paxton, Aitken, D Smith, Bowditch, McEwan (c), R McLaren, Harkiss, N Kerr, A McLaren, B Smith, Bark, Miller, Subs Barr, Hunter, McGregor, and Young.