Carrick 5 Cumnock 24

Report by Ian Park

The coaches were a bit concerned before the game that it may have came a bit too early with only a couple of full training sessions behind the boys but each player stepped up to the challenge.
The first 20 minutes finished 0 – 0 with both teams evenly matched and each serving up a good display of rugby, the defending by both teams was first class.
In the second third Cumnock eventually made the breakthrough, Calum Park finding space outside the 22, after good work by the hard working forwards and quick hands from the backs, evading the remaining defence to ran over for the crucial first score. The conversion was missed. Building from the first score Cumnock continued to press and looked the more likely to score. The second try came from a typical pacey run from winger Dale West, who Cumnock had struggled to get on the ball all game but once the ball was in his hands there was only one outcome as he raced in from about 30 metres. West converted his score to make it 12 – 0 after the second 20.
The final 20 minutes continued to produce a good game with the hosts efforts paying off by scoring in the corner to make the game more interesting at 12 – 5. Cumnock didn’t let the score put them off and continued to take the game to Carrick and again stout play from the forwards allowed Bradley Smith to crash over for the third try. Park converted to go 19 – 5 up. Cumnock struggled all game to get the ball wide but when they did they looked the more dangerous. This was highlighted in the final score of the game when winger Conner Hill was presented with the ball and he galloped over to score in the corner, the conversion was narrowly missed.
Although the game finished 24 – 5 to Cumnock, the score flattered the visitors a bit as Carrick contributed much to a good game but then again Cumnock produced a great defensive display and the Cumnock forwards put in a huge effort both in defence and attack. The coaches were pleased with the boys first outing especially with the intensity of their performance and the whole squad got a run out, all contributing to a good pre-season win.
Next week the squad is off to Ireland for a pre-season tour taking on Malone and Ards.