This was never going to be, just another Saturday, this was a long awaited Saturday for some of the clubs, parents, coaches and of course what today was mostly about, four young players who have come up through the youth section and becoming of age to play first team rugby.
With a slight wind blowing, there was nothing really else you could complain about, considering what we have had lately, condition underfoot were good which was to prove favourable for the Cumnock backs. Four guys don’t make a team though, and it was the forward driving that was to put the early pressure on the home side, sucking in most of their defence, finally allowing Elliot to unleash a miss pass out to Bennett, but it was Houston also on his debut, popping up in support to receive what looked a slightly forward pass to score his first senior try, converted by Bennett. From the restart the young guns were linking once again, this time, it was a great take from Nisbet going across field, fed Bennet in his own 22metre, who then proceeded to scythe his way through the opposition to score between the uprights and convert. Play was then camped at the middle of the field for the next ten minutes, with a series of scrums, none of which Cumnock were too worried. With an ABC line up of a young Alan old Bobby and experienced Chad they had the front row sown up. It was Uddingston however that stole one against the head, Houston making up for the misdemeanour, intercepted their pass out to the backs and make a break with only the fullback to beat, he returned his earlier favour and slipped the pass to Bennett. From the restart once again Houston put in the chip ahead, Harkin put in the chase, then Thomsom overturned possession and this time it was Hill to feed Bennett. With halftime approaching, for some unknown reason, which the coach wasn’t happy about, Cumnock tried to run the ball out of their own 22metre finally conceding a penalty. With almost everyone asleep it was the alertness of Harkin who noticed a quick one being taken, but infringed before they had covered 10metres, getting sin binned for his actions, but in the end proved to be a good call. Half time 35-0.
Also making his debut, swapping new for old, Donald Hunter replaced a tired Horton and in the centres like for like McPheators came on for Hill. Uddingston looked now to have upped the tempo in the forwards with play mostly in the Cumnock half, but again good defensive work from Fulton and Kerr resulting in a knock on, Harkin playing the advantage put in a long clearance kick from his own 22metre line, McPheators and McMillan with the follow up chase, the latter getting the luck of the bounce and getting the try. As in the first half, we then encountered a spell of play around midfield again, although most of the time seemed to be spent at line outs, where once again with the inclusion of Andy Nairn Cumnock had got it just right. From the only No.8 pick up from Kerr of the game Cumnock went down the blind side but were finally bundled into touch. From the ensuing line out the home side failed to find touch, Harkin capitalised on the weak effort with a good run to pop it to non-other, Bennett to score. The remainder of the game was played in the opposition half, Brady trying to keep his forwards focussed on the game plan, when the ball slipped out to McMillan who had only a 10metre dash to the line, but for some reason he thought he had only 5metre, as he touched down a bit premature and was then pushed into touch. A steal from Nairn at the line out and quick ball from Houston to Elliott saw Bennett come through on the crash for try number 6.
The coach said he was pleased with the youngsters performances, he also recognised that it seemed to help and up the game of the others, he also praised the defence thus not allowing the opposition on the score sheet and with a bit more training together this can only improve.
More pics on chatboard thread, please send me more pics if you have it.
