CUMBERNAULD 12 CUMNOCK 48

WHILST most of Ayrshire and the west coast was covered in snow, Cumnock travelled to Cumbernauld in their first fixture of the New Year.

Cumnock began the match with an exciting young squad which contained a total of five 18 year old players in the starting XV. This included the first start for 18 year old Stephen Robson who has impressed with a number of starts for the 2nd XV and a few appearances from the bench for the 1st XV. New signing Stephen Stewart also made his debut for the club with a start on the wing.

Cumnock started strongly with a few good phases of possession which resulted with a try in the corner for Stephen Stewart with his first touch of the ball. Cumnock were off to a good start and could have been in for another try after Gordon Laurie crashed over the line and appeared to touch the ball down but was adjudged to be held up by the referee. It was Laurie who made it over for the next try and there was no doubt in the grounding this time around. The number 8 has now scored ten tries in as many games for the club this season.

Cumnock conceded their first points of the game after a bit of sustained pressure from Cumbernauld culminated with a try on the right wing. Cumnock hit back quickly though and after a good touch finder from Graham Hunter saw them deep in the Cumbernauld twenty-two. Cumnock won back possession and it was Martin Thomson who cut through the Cumbernauld line and touched down for the try.

Minutes later, Graham Hunter, after an excellent show and go, left the Cumbernauld defence flat footed to score underneath the posts. Hunter added the extras himself. Calum Park was next to add his name to the growing score sheet with a try of his own to finish off the half in style and send Cumbernauld retreating to their clubhouse to regroup.

Cumnock came out all guns blazing in the second half and multiple phases with good forward play saw them camped on the Cumbernauld try line. Aiden Kerr was on hand to find the hole in the Cumbernauld defence and dive over for a try from close range.

Jayson McMillan ran an excellent line to dot over for Cumnock's next try.

Cumbernauld weren’t willing to give up just yet and were still testing Cumnock’s defence by trying to play a quick tempo direct game. It was after a sustained attack on the Cumnock line that the Cumbernauld scrum half took the penalty quickly to bolt through the Cumnock defence.

Cumnock bounced back and after winning a penalty on the Cumbernauld ten metre line they took a quick tap penalty of their own. After spinning the ball wide they exploited the gap to send Calum Park over for his second and Cumnock’s 7th try of the match. As tempers began to boil over the referee blew his final whistle with the final score standing at an impressive 12-48 in favour of the visitors.

Calum Park was awarded Man of the Match with his two try contribution to the 48 point haul.

Cumnock hope to continue this week as Paisley travel to Broomfield on Saturday for a 2pm kick off.