Cumnock / Kilmarnock Cougars 38 - Wigtownshire 19

The Cougars faced stiff competition in their first outing of the new year but inspired by the large home support, including former Cumnock favourite Mark Bennett, they turned in one of their best performances of the season.

Wigtownshire started lively enough and worked their way into the home sides half. From a tap penalty their forwards drove over the Cumnock line for the first score, with the stand-off adding the extra two points with his conversion. A few minutes later the visitors scored again from an identical situation and the home team found themselves 12-0 down. That stirred the Cougars into life and shortly afterwards the ever alert Aidan Kerr dived over from the back of a ruck on the Wigtownshire line, with Jack Reilly adding the conversion. Shortly afterwards came the try of the day with Reilly releasing his back line following a scrum in the middle of the park. Both centres Gregor Paxton and Gregor Aitken drew in their opposite numbers, off loading the ball at just the right moment to finally release Gavin Wight who took off down the left wing. His blistering pace saw him through two tackles and he scored under the posts leaving an easy kick for Reilly. A similar move down the opposite wing was completed with Thomas Bowditch scoring under the posts and when Paxton scored just before the break the cougars went in at half time with a comfortable 28-12 lead.

The second half continued in a similar vein. The home forwards were starting to dominate up front with Robbie McLaren controlling the rucks and Andy Harkiss making his presence felt at Number 8. With a decent supply of ball available the Cougars back-line were running at every opportunity and only some staunch tackling by the Wigtownshire mid-field kept them at bay. Ben Stewart broke down the right wing and was taken out as he kicked ahead, however Aitken was following through and outpaced the 'Shire defence to touch down the ball which had landed just over the try line. A further score from Paxton put the result beyond any doubt although a spirited response from the visitors saw them score to reduce the deficit by seven points going into the last ten minutes. During this period the home team had to defend well but were determined to stop their visitors from scoring again. This well deserved victory keeps this young team in contention near the top of the league and will be a massive boost to their confidence going into the next match against Hamilton.

Team: McEwan, R McLaren, Robson, A McLaren, Faulds, N Kerr, Smith, Harkiss, A Kerr, Reilly, Wight, Paxton, Aitken, Stewart, Bowditch. Subs: Lorimer, Barr, Hunter, Paterson, Elliott.