Cumnock Under 16 Report

Cumnock 41 Dumfries 11

Sunday saw Dumfries visiting Cumnock in the last 16 of the West of Scotland Cup. The fixture took place at Townhead Park on the 3g surface. Conditions were dry but bitterly cold.

Cumnock got off to a bright start with half breaks and driving play taking them right up to the Dumfries line before Kevin Van Der Leest finished off well in the corner. A second try followed quickly from strong running Rob Drummond. Jamie Drummond claimed 2 of his own in a strong running performance whilst Owen Young added 2 conversions. The game seemed over at this point but after half time Dumfries had other ideas as they seemed to gain in confidence as they scored 2 penalties before going in in the corner for a well deserved try. Cumnock claimed a try at the start of the second half by Wallace Findlay before Robbie Stewart rounded off a strong performance with one of his own. The last try was taken by Jamie Drummond to make up his hat trick and Ross Marr rounded of the scoring with a fine conversion.

Coach Andrew Watt stated after the game, “ We seemed to be starting to play quite well up to half time but in the second half it turned into almost 7 asides. The broken play seemed to suit Dumfries and they came back strongly at us. A couple of scores at the end of the match when we started to play some rugby was a much better finish. It was great to see Zack Ben Slimman have another great game alongside his Sanquhar buddy Robbie Stewart. I would also pick out Captain Wallace Findlay for a great running performance full of vision and Jamie Drummond for a terrific hat trick. We will go away and work on our ball retention and patterns of play but all in all it is a good win to get to the West of Scotland quarter finals.”

Next week Cumnock are away to Stewartry in Castle Douglas.