Newton Stewart U16 7 Cumnock U16 31

Report by Ian Park

On day and a pitch perfect for rugby Cumnock came flying out the traps quickly securing the ball and the first score from Michael Anderson collecting an offload in his own half before bursting through tackles and finishing a strong run under the posts. The second quickly followed with Cumnock dominating territory in the early stages. Robbie McLaren’s close support play paying off for him to finish a good move from close range. McLaren scored again finishing off the play from a clever cross field kick by standoff Gary Balmer. Calum Park converted 3 from 3 to make the score 0-21 at half time.

Newton Stewart’s defence was making things difficult for Cumnock in the first half and this was to continue in the second where The Nock compounded it by making a lot of silly mistakes and decisions. Dale West was on the end of a flowing backs move to run in the first score of the half for a 24 point lead.

However it was now silly season in the Nock defence as mistake after mistake had the coaches tearing out what was left of their thinning hair. Newton Stewart finally scored a well-deserved converted try as they had frustrated Cumnock for much of the game to make it 7-24. But the Nock rallied and put together some good moves in the final stages and the pressure finally paid off with Conner Hill pouncing on a Newton Stewart mistake to carry over making the full time score 7-31.

It was another good away result made better due to the distance involved which normally favours the home side. The forwards competed well in the scrums and the rucks and are finally making yards with better teamwork in the mauls. At times the backs were zipping the ball into space but not enough. A lot of decision making on the park left a bit to be desired but hopefully that will come with experience and the boys need to believe in their own ability and play with more confidence as they are 9 from 9 and are still unbeaten in the league.
Team: R Donnelly, G Young, J Smith, T Grierson, G Gilliland, D McCulloch, R McLaren, M Anderson, A Kerr, A Birrell, G Balmer, C Hill, B Smith, C Park, D West, L Andrew, A Smith, R Donnelly, T Wallace, L Naismith, S Houston