Things are heating up in West Division 2 as we approach the business end of the season. Cumnock hosted Loch Lomond at Broomfield knowing a win would see them rise to 2nd in the table as Lenzie enjoyed a week off. These sides met just 2 weeks ago at Loch Lomond where Cumnock claimed all 5 league points in a 37-0 victory. Cumnock took this opportunity to rest a few players for the run in the potential league decider next week away to Strathendrick.

This week was the last game for Cumnock’s Nick Cumming as he prepares to return to his native Australia. Nicks been a great asset after joining the squad early in the season, he’s proven himself invaluable to the squad and is very comfortable in a number of positions across the backline. Cumnock were looking to put in a big performance to end his season in Scotland on a high.

Cumnock were the dominant side in the first half, not allowing Loch Lomond much of a chance to get out of their own half. Cumnock’s scrum was a clear strength in this game with the front row of Steven Lowrie, Paul Miller and Donald Hunter winning possession on Loch Lomonds put in on multiple occasions. Cumnock were however sloppy and left a few scores on the field in the first half as they just couldn’t hold on to the last pass in the showery conditions. They found their way over the whitewash eventually as Gareth Polland finished off a fine break as the centre refused to go down in the tackle and managed to scramble the ball over the line. Jack Reilly missed the resulting conversion.

Paul Miller scored the next try after Cumnock had a lineout just 5 metres from the Lomond tryline. They set up the maul and drove it over the line with Miller ready at the back to touch the ball down, the conversion was again missed.

Both sides were struggling with the referee’s interpretation as the stop start game failed to find any sort of flow. Not much advantage was played and Loch Lomond were getting frustrated as they were being continually penalised at the breakdown. The referee was beginning to turn on the visitors as he marched them back for dissent as they argued with his calls.

The last try in the half went to Nick Cumming scoring on his last game for the Ayrshire side, Cumnock drew in the Lomond defence with punishing forward drives before releasing the back line where Cummings managed to step the first man and haul himself over the try line for the score. Cumming took up the kicking tee but was unable to convert his own score.

The half ended with Cumnock 15 points up but with the amount of possession and territory they had enjoyed it could have easily been twice that. A penalty early in the second half let Cumnock kick deep into Loch Lomonds half and after securing the possession at the lineout the maul was driven over the line with Aiden Kerr on hand to touch the ball down for the score. Nick Cumming converted the score from the far-right hand touchline with a little help from the far post.

Loch Lomond had their first opportunity to put points on the board with a penalty just outside Cumnocks 22-metre line in the centre of the field but alas the kick fell just short. Cumnock had another score through Aiden Kerr as the scrum half finished off a break to stretch Cumnocks lead to 27 points. Coach Steve Edward saw the game was now won and began to empty his bench, bringing off try scorers Aiden Kerr, Gareth Polland and Paul Miller.

The changes didn’t help Cumnock build momentum and Loch Lomond were beginning to come into the game, the harsh calls against them from the referee were having a galvanising effect on their play. They were at one point marched back 30 metres for dissent and their scrum half was yellow carded for the same offence. However, they were beginning to play to their strengths with a number of pick and drives close to the ruck. They were living dangerously as they became narrower and narrower with every step edging them closer to the line. A single turnover would undoubtedly put them into a heap of trouble but they managed to hold onto the ball and a good drive saw them go over for their first score. They didn’t manage to convert and with only 10 minutes left, they had only pride left to play for.

Cumnock were falling off the hits and Loch Lomond were taking full advantage of the passive defence. They drove their way over for a second score just before full time with another string of forward drives up the short side. Loch Lomond converted the score but there wasn’t much time left on the clock for either team to make any more of a mark on the score board. The game finished with a 27-12 win to Cumnock.

Cumnock will be disappointed with their performance after a really flat game. No doubt the conditions played their part and on a dry pitch Cumnock should have finished off the multiple chances they had in the first half. The sheer number of changes in the second half took all fluency out of the Cumnock attack and they never regained their advantage over the visitors. Man of the match went to Aiden Kerr, who controlled the game well and got a brace of tries for his efforts.

The leagues tight at the top, Paisley lost at home against Strathendrick with a close 17-23 scoreline meaning Cumnock move into within 3 points and have 2 games in hand over the league leaders. Next week Cumnock travel to Strathendrick, Strathendrick are 4 points behind Cumnock but still hold 2 games in hand over the Broomfield side. A win for Cumnock would go a long way in negating that advantage and put them in the strongest possible position for their final 4 games.

Cumnock Rugby Football Club

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Competition

League position

Team Sponsors

Login