Ardrossan Academicals U16 22 - Cumnock / Kilmarnock Cougars U16 22

Report by Kevan Aitken

The Cougars started the game at a terrific pace and scored within thefirst couple of minutes. A determined drive by the forwards resulted in captain Stuart McEwan diving over from short range just outside the posts. Unfortunately David Smith's kick just drifted wide so the score remained at 5-0.

The visitors kept pounding away at their larger opponents and had them on the back foot for much of the first half. However two long range efforts from the home team led to two converted tries before the break, giving Accies a 14-5 lead at the interval.

The Cougars lifted their game in the second half and some fierce tackling and driving from the forwards resulted in good field posistiosn. Bradley Smith, Gregor Paxton and Gavin Miller all crossed the whitewash but only one conversion attempt by Ben Stewart was successful. The home team scored an uncoverted try and kicked one penalty to even the scores going into the last five minutes. Again the visitors kept hammering away and spurned a penalty opportunity, opting to run ratherthan kick the points, a couple of minutes later Ardrossan did the same.

The larger Ardrossan pack managed to turn over possession at a number of rucks and line-outs but some fierce tackling, in particular from Aidan Kerr, Paxton and Gregor Aitken halted the Ardrossan backline in their tracks.

In the end a draw was probably a fair reflection on the game. The Cougars now sit second top in the league, unbeaten after two games but with a game in hand. Next game is at home to Dalziel on 18th November.