Cumnock 15 Stewartry 19

A glorious day at Broomfield saw a very closely contested tussle between old friends Cumnock and Stewartry. Previous games between the 2 clubs have usually been very close and this one was no exception.

Stewartry started by far the livelier of the 2 teams and took only 5 minutes to deservedly score first through some strong forward driving play. The try was then beautifully converted from the touch line. Cumnock hit back 10 minutes later as a brilliant score was taken in the corner by Kieran Owens following a sweeping move through the hands of the Cumnock backs.

Cumnock were their own worst enemies at this stage as the conceded penalty after penalty and were strangely passive in their tackling. This led to a further deserved unconverted score for Stewartry. Against the run of play Cumnock scored the try of the match as smart interplay saw Jock Welsh free Zack Donald to score a second unconverted try. Shortly after this standoff Andy Houston left the game unwell and was replaced by scrum half Adam Watt. Watt’s place was ably filled by Owen Young.

In the second half the Cumnock forwards looked transformed and started to drive Stewartry back. This allowed more front foot play for the backs and pegged Stewartry back in their own half for long periods. Only resolute Stewartry defence prevented a score for the home team until with 15 minutes to go Rob Drummond scampered by 2 tacklers to put Cumnock in the lead. A third missed conversion proved costly.

Stewartry showed typical resolve to fight their way back and score a converted try to once more tack the league.

With seconds to go Cumnock looked to have won it as Zack Donald picked up a loose ball and scampered 30 metres down the park. He looked as if he would score between the posts when a last gasp Stewartry tackle stopped him a couple of yards from the line. The referee blew full time and a thrilling game was over.

Coach Andrew Watt said after the game, “ We really weren’t at the races in the forwards in the first half as Stewartry rocked us back on our heels. Only a couple of top drawer tries kept us in the contest. In the second half we were able to address these problems and were very unlucky not to end with a win. Credit to a committed and skilful Stewartry team for doing just enough to take the game. I would like to pick out our centres Rob Drummond and Chris Smith who had brilliant running and defensive games today.”

Next week Cumnock are away to Allan Glens where hopefully most of the rustiness will have gone as the compete in the West of Scotland Cup.

Cumnock Rugby Football Club

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