Report by Ian Park

with a win required to be crowned West Region South champions.

In an early season fixture Greenock had overwhelmed a depleted Cumnock team so it was with much trepidation the Nock travelled up the coast with just one win required over the next two weeks fixtures against closest rivals Greenock to claim the league title.

The game started in bright sunshine with the visitors showing their intent right from the off advancing on the home line and an early penalty in front of the posts allowed Jack Reilly to stroke over for the first score of the day for a 3-0 start. Not for the first time Cumnock failed to deal with the restart, which allowed the home side to pressure the Nock and set up their hefty forwards in set plays which resulted in their first converted score to go up 7-3.

Undaunted Cumnock retaliated, running a set play of their own, from a penalty deep in the Greenock half for Bradley Smith to score in the corner, Reilly kicking well to complete the score to edge the game 8-7. The seesaw start continued with Greenock again taking the lead, as the Nock failed to advance on a tap penalty for an easy try to the home team to lead 12-8. Cumnock had by now settled in to the game and were looking the better team and were peppering the Greenock line, switching between running the ball and kick and chase plays. Aidan Kerr finally made the breakthrough sniping near the line for the converted score for a 15-12 advantage. This was quickly followed by Jack Reilly kicking through and finishing off again with a converted try to stretch it to a 22-12 game.

Cumnock were by now playing as well as they had all season. The break in the league campaign had allowed them to play National competitions and against National league opposition and while the step up may not have been a great success result wise the experience seemed to be having a positive effect both in their play and team spirit. Another running move allowed the frustrated back Stephen Robson to finish well for Reilly to complete the half up 29-12.

All the play up to this time meant nothing with a full half remaining and the expected onslaught from the home side in the second half was right on the mark with Cumnock defending almost 20 minutes on their 22, the running game had changed to a slugging match in the forwards but still the Nock defence held firm with the Cumnock forwards matching the bigger opposition. Eventually the Nock worked their way in to the Greenock half and held firm to the territory. The first and final score of the second half came from a break through the middle by Reilly, who converted for a final score of 36-12.

The imaginative play in the first half, coupled with the second half defence against a decent Greenock team made for a game that warmed the cockles of the coaches. Overall it was a good team performance and one that keeps Cumnock unbeaten in the league and more importantly secures the league title. The coaches are overwhelmed by progress made this year after struggling to field a team early in the season to now overseeing a semi-organised rabble that gets it right now and again.

Team: Gregor Aitken, Thomas Bowditch, Calum Park, Bradley Smith, Dale West, Jack Reilly, Aidan Kerr, Stephen Robson, Glen Young, Jamie Lorimer, Allister Elliot, Ryan McCrone, Andrew Harkiss, Robbie McLaren, Connor Hunter, Craig Willison, Gavin Gilliland, Thomas Findlay, Cameron McGuire

Cumnock Rugby Football Club

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