CUMNOCK Rugby Club's president has heaped praise on the players and staff who helped make history with a win this weekend.
On Saturday, April 27, the club headed through to Silver Saturday where they played the National Shield final against Moray Rugby Club.
Ahead of the date at the biggest event in club rugby, president Scott Given branded the match "the biggest in Cumnock Rugby Club's history".
It was a first National Shield final appearance for the club, and an opportunity for the club to win their first piece of national tournament silverware in their 63-year history.
That wait ended when the final whistle blew at The Hive Stadium in Edinburgh, with Cumnock running out 34-32 winners in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Stephen Raby's side were down 27-5, and with little more than five minutes left they trailed 32-19 - but the Cumnock squad were not content to give up on their dreams.
A quickfire, unconverted, Cumnock double reduced the arrears to three points, and as the clock ticked into the red the East Ayrshire side were awarded a penalty on the edge of their opponents' 22.
Three points from a penalty would have been enough to take the game in extra-time, but Cumnock, with momentum on their side, opted to tap-and-go.
It was a decision which paid off when after a number of tough phases the ball found its way to the right flank for Robbie McLaren to go over for the winning score, and end the game.
“It’s not a decision I had in my head," club president Scott Given admitted.
"I thought ‘why is he not taking that to extra time?'. But fair play, the momentum was behind the boys and he did the right thing.
“I thought it was all over, then the comeback started.
“Credit where it’s due, Moray were fantastic. That’s the kind of final you want, two teams that are going to give it their all.
“I was in amongst Moray fans, I was bawling and shouting, they were bawling and shouting, but in the end we had a wee cuddle.”
And Scott admitted that the magnitude of the result has not sunk in quite yet.
He added: “We’ve been a club for 63 years and that’s the first time we’ve ever done that. It’s surreal. I still don’t think it has sunk in.
“It’s massive. How do we top that? It’s hard to describe. I’m lost for words to be honest.”
But the club president had plenty words of thanks to hand out to all who made the result possible.
"That is etched in the history of our club forever," he said.
"Thanks goes to the players. You guys will never realise how proud you made an awful lot of people. You put your bodies on the line and left absolutely nothing out there. 'Well done' doesn't come close to the credit you deserve.
“There was a lot of work went into Saturday from a lot of people but a couple really went above and beyond.
"Helen Thomson and Kerry Thomson - the work you guys put in to make sure our boys were fed and our supporters got there, absolutely class. You did us all proud.
“Stephen Raby and your coaching team - no words gents. Wow, and thanks.
"You guys have gave us a massive problem. How do we top that next year!"
A final mention was given to Cumnock's incredible support, who cheered their club on throughout the game, even when it looked like they may be down and out.
Scott added: “In that last five minutes it felt like there was 40,000, not 400.
"The support we gave the boys on the park is 100 per cent going in as an assist for that final try.”
While he has admitted the result will be hard to top, Scott still says next season could be another incredible year as Cumnock aim to continue their growth.
"Last time we went to Murrayfield we were fairly beaten by the better team," he said.
“But we went there with the intent to win this time. We went with a young, fit squad that deserved to be there.
“Next season is going to be a big season for Cumnock. We’ve got a lot of boys that are now finished under 18s that are real class acts.
“They’ll step up into senior squads, bolster what we’ve already got this year, I’m really excited for next year. It will be a big push to get us up into national rugby.
“We’ve got a lot of boys out injured who will be back for pre-season as well. Cumnock are definitely going to be one to watch next year.”
Cumnock's history making squad
Starters: 15 John Watt, 14 Owen Young, 13 Lewis Young, 12 Andy Houston (VC), 11 Kieran Ferrans, 10 Nicky Davidson, 9 Zain Smith, 1 Euan Bell, 2 Steven Lowrie, 3 Jason McMillan (C), 4 Barry O’Dowd, 5 Martin Thomson, 6 Jamie Caldwell, 7 Robbie McLaren, 8 Connor Hill.
Replacements: 16 Richard Carmichael, 17 John Crawford, 18 Michael Anderson, 19 Gus Glasgow, 20 Kyle Farrow, 21 Kevin Van Der Leest, 22 Ross Watson.
Cumnock's try scorers were Robbie McLaren (2), Richard Carmichael, Lewis Young, Kevin Van der Leest and Owen Young, with Nicky Davidson adding two conversions.
The man-of-the-match award went to Connor Hill.
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