Cumnock 54 Braidholm 5

After having no game last weekend, Cumnock were raring to go for this cup match against Braidholm.
The visitors are currently two divisions below Cumnock but they are leading their league and fancied their chances of causing a cup upset. However, Cumnock showed some class in recording a comfortable win in difficult conditions.
It was apparent straight from the kick off that heavy rain the night before had saturated the pitch with several players losing their footing and several handling errors which normally wouldn’t happen. The home side took the initiative in the opening exchanges of the game, soaking up Braidholm’s early attempt to drive with their larger forwards before turning the ball over and clearing the ball down the pitch. Braidholm won their lineout but a poor clearance from their stand-off meant that Cumnock were able to counter attack with the ball being spread from one wing to the other. It found Tony Foster in plenty of space to race past his opposite number to score. Kyle Johnson added the conversion. Cumnock continued to press the visiting team with some exciting line breaks and handling skills on display despite the pitch.
Also impressive was the linking between backs and forwards with the forwards running good angles to punch through the defence before offloading to the backs in space. Indeed several tries could have been scored but for several handling errors, some of which could be put down to the poor conditions and some couldn’t. However, Cumnock were soon back on the score sheet when Mark Bennett crossed the line after some clever interplay between backs and forwards. Kyle Johnson added the conversions before finishing off the next Cumnock try after sidestepping at least three Braidholm defenders. He converted the score to give Cumnock a solid lead.
Braidholm then had their best spell of the first half when they decided to kick the ball high constantly causing problems for the Cumnock back three on the slippery pitch. They kept this up for a long spell keeping Cumnock on the back foot despite never really looking likely to break the line or score. Cumnock, on the other hand always looked dangerous with the ball in hand and as soon as they recovered the ball from Braidholm and immediately broke up the pitch through Craig Greer who passed to Bennett before the ball was fed back to Greer who touched down with Johnson again adding the conversion. Cumnock were at it again when openside flanker, Alan Smith picked a good line through the defence before feeding Alan Haynes to score. Johnson missed the conversion from out wide to end the half.
The second half started well for Cumnock when Bennett gathered a long kick from Braidholm and set of through the defence to score after a neat exchange of passes with Smith. The reliable Johnson again added the extras. However, the rest of the second half was tight as Braidholm kept the ball tight to prevent Cumnock’s dangerous runners from causing them further strife. Braidholm’s patience eventually earned them a try after several phases sucking the defence giving their winger space to squeeze into the corner.
Cumnock took the chance to try a new style using their forwards to keep the ball tight which worked fairly well but they didn’t ever seem likely to score when doing this. It took until the last ten minutes before they scored again after a quick penalty caught Braidholm napping and the ball was spun wide with Bennett again getting on the end of the move to score with Johnson converting. Bennett finished the game after breaking through the tiring defence to score from well inside his own half. Johnson added the conversion to complete a comfortable win for the young home side to continue their impressive home form. This was a reasonably easy victory for the home side against a stubborn Braidholm side and bodes well for the second half of the league season and hopefully a continuing run in the cup.
Man of the match was Mark Bennett for adding another four tries to his considerable tally this season.

Team: Craig Greer, Paul Miller, Donald Hunter, Kevin Brady, Blair McMillan, Graham Hunter, Alan Smith, David Kerr, Craig McWhirter, Kyle Johnson, Gregor McMillan, Mark Bennett, Alan Haynes, Tony Foster, Conner Nisbet, Jamie Hodge, Scott Houston, Ross Black

Next Week: Cumnock resume league duties away to title challenging Strathendrick

Report by David Kerr

Pitchero link to report and results

Cumnock senior results

Cumnock 26 – 0 Carrick

Cumnock played host to Carrick in a local derby in the latest league match this weekend.
After a disappointing result last week against Clydebank the young side were determined to make up for this by winning at home.
The game kicked off in wet and windy conditions although this did not deter the home side who won a penalty straight from the kick off when the visitors were caught holding onto the ball on the ground. Uncharacteristically, Kyle Johnson pulled his kick to the left of the posts but Cumnock had shown their intent to take control of the game early on.
This was followed up by a strong spell of Cumnock pressure as they dealt with some loose Carrick kicking, allowing full-back Conner Nisbet to run the ball back at the defence. The breakthrough came when several strong carries from Cumnock’s forwards made a good position in Carrick territory. The ball was fed back to stand-off Johnson who, despite slipping managed to chip the ball over the defence. Wing Tony Foster gathered the ball to score in the corner and Johnson added the tricky conversion.
Cumnock continued to put the visitors under pressure and almost added more points when both Johnson and Mark Bennett narrowly missed penalties. Cumnock’s set pieces have been a problem this season and the line out continued to misfire in this game. However, the scrum was much more impressive with the new front row of Rab Donald, Graham Hunter and Donald Hunter constantly putting their opposite numbers on the back foot. Solid scrum ball allowed Cumnock’s backs to use their pace to take on the defence. One of these moves saw the ball released wide and well timed passing meant that Gregor McMillan had the space to outsprint his opposite number and cross the line for Cumnock’s second try. This time the conversion went awry as the conditions worsened with several players losing their footing on the slippery surface.
The first half ended with Cumnock 12 points to nil up and having never looked under pressure from Carrick. The visitors came back strongly after half time and set up a series of driving mauls deep in Cumnock territory after some cheap penalties from the home side. However, stubborn defence from Cumnock kept the line intact and eventually the visitors grew impatient and attempted an unlikely cross kick which was easily dealt with by the defence.
Cumnock regrouped and came charging back at their guests and immediately turned their pressure into points. Mark Bennett made the initial burst through the Carrick defence before feeding his centre partner Alan Haynes with a well timed pass. Haynes had the pace to outstrip the chasing defence and touched down under the posts to give Johnson an easy conversion.
The home side then spent a long spell deep in Carrick territory but struggled to make much of an impression with several handling errors caused by the poor conditions. There was also a lot of aimless kicking with both teams favouring the hit and hope option, relying on their opponents spilling the ball. Cumnock dealt with this better and it was no surprise when Mark Bennett side stepped through the defence to record his side’s fourth try to wrap up the bonus point. Johnson again added the conversion from in front of the posts.
Cumnock showed excellent composure to play the remainder of the game out on their terms and Carrick were never given a chance to get points on the board. Cumnock came close to adding another try when a well placed Bennett kicked was hacked ahead by substitute wing Greg Hamilton who was unlucky to be beaten to the touchdown by the covering defender. The home side continued to play the game deep in Carrick territory until the end of the match, showing an ability to control games which hasn’t often been seen this season.
This was another important step for the young team with their second successive home win topped off with a bonus point. Especially impressive was the fact that Cumnock kept a clean sheet which is a rare feat in rugby which shows the continuing development in this young team.
Alan Smith was man of the match for getting through a lot of the dirty work in the back row that allows Cumnock’s backs the chance to shine.

Team: Rab Donald, Graham Hunter, Donald Hunter, Kevin Brady, Blair McMillan, Stuart Hunter, Alan Smith, David Kerr, Craig McWhirter, Kyle Johnson, Gregor McMillan, Mark Bennett, Alan Haynes, Tony Foster, Conner Nisbet, Jim Ramage, Jamie Thomson, Greg Hamilton

Next Week: Cumnock travel to Stranraer to take on Wigtonshire

Cumnock 3 Allen glens 12

The second team continued to get closer with its form with a close defeat to Allan Glens who currently top Reserve league West Division 3.

Cumnock RFC 1st XV (29th August 2009)

Credit to Harry Reilly and Stewart Bennett for pictures

Cumnock 12 v 45 Marr

Image by trobertc via Flickr

Cumnock 12 v 45 Marr 22/08/90

Cumnock made the short trip to Troon to take on an ambitious Marr side in the final pre-season match before the start of the league season next weekend. The young side were determined to take another step forward after winning both of their previous warm up matches. However, Marr were equally determined not to be upset by a team from the league below and started very strongly with powerful running from their centres resulting in Cumnock conceding two early tries.

At this point in previous seasons Cumnock tended to fold when faced with such obviously strong opposition and allow teams to run up scores more commonly found in cricket. This season, however, promises to be different with Marr suddenly finding their attempts to increase their lead being thwarted by Cumnock’s defence led by forwards Stuart Hunter and Murray Phillip, making his debut for the 1XV, as well as fine covering tackles out wide by Alan Haynes and Conner Nisbet.

Despite this, Marr managed to squeeze in two more opportunistic tries, thanks mainly to their dominance of possession. Cumnock finally got off the mark when half backs Scott Houston and Kyle Johnson tidied up a Marr kick before releasing centre Mark Bennett from deep inside his own half. Bennett stepped past some bewildered Marr defenders before sprinting down the right touchline to beat the covering defence to finish off a trademark long range try in the corner. Johnson missed the difficult conversion but Cumnock finally had points on the board. Marr then added another try of their own just before half time.

Cumnock came flying out of the blocks in the second half, putting pressure on Marr both in attack and defence. Particularly impressive was the scrum with young props Craig Greer and Donald Hunter preventing Marr from getting the easy ball they had enjoyed in the first half. This led to Cumnock opening the scoring after pressure from Haynes and Dougie Elliot led to a loose Marr pass, gratefully gathered by wing Gregor McMillan who tore home unopposed between the posts. Johnson added the extra points.

This led to a long spell of Cumnock setting up camp deep inside Marr territory with a series of scrums five metres out from the try line. Strong scrummaging from Cumnock kept Marr on the back foot but a combination of committed Marr defence and inexplicably pedantic refereeing meant Cumnock failed to make their pressure count. Both David Kerr and Jamie Thomson were held up over the line and Craig Greer put the ball down for what he felt was a try only to find he had scored on the five metre line. Marr managed to escape when a Cumnock line out throw was called as not straight by the referee and disappointingly Marr managed to break out and score.

Cumnock then spent the rest of the game determined to hold out against a rejuvenated Marr side. Fine defence from Tony Foster as well as committed rucking from Cumnock’s forwards and backs alike meant that it looked like Cumnock would be able to prevent Marr from increasing their lead. Unfortunately Marr managed to finally break down the Cumnock defence with a fine solo try from their speedy winger with the last play of the game.

Man of the match was Donald Hunter for an excellent display of scrummaging which bodes well for the new season.

Overall, Cumnock could take a lot from this difficult match against a well organised Marr side who are expecting to compete for victory in their league. The second half performance was especially impressive with Marr on the back foot for long spells.

Team
Craig Greer, Paul Miller, Donald Hunter, Kevin Brady, Murray Phillip, Stuart Hunter, David Kerr, Jamie Thomson, Scott Houston, Kyle Johnson, Gregor McMillan, Mark Bennett, Dougie Elliot, Alan Haynes, Conner Nisbet, Andy McCrorie, Blair McMillan, Tony Foster, Ross Black

Cumnock kick off their league season next Saturday at 3pm against Strathendrick at Broomfield

Chatboard link

Thanks to David Kerr for Report.

Cumnock 1st XV vs Strathclyde Police rearranged fixture

cumnock is playing Strathclyde Police on this Saturday 11 April 2009, by mutual consent. It was scheduled for 25th April. Please come along and support. Kick off 3pm

UPDATE: the score was Cumnock 10 Strathclyde Police 28 Kevin Brady and Alan (alcho) Smith scored our tries. The police scored 4 converted tries.

Link to chatboard

Link to Strathclyde Police website

Strathclyde Police website online photos

Cumnock 1st XV 3 Loch Lomond 22

Although slightly cold on the weather front, this was a cracking day, to be playing in a game of rugby, especially if you were one of the Cumnock youth set up now being blooded into senior rugby. From the kick-off it was end to end play, with both teams showing good attacking and equally the same in defence. Although from the sideline it was noticible that Lomond did have the heavier pack, yet with Greer and Hunter in the front row backed up with Cross and Brady, they were hardly ever troubled, Miller even stealing a couple.

After fifteen minutes though, it was a charged down clearance kick from Hill, that allowed Lomond in for a try. Possession was still running on 50-50 Kerr and Hodge linking with Stuart Hunter off the back of scrums, Barr waiting on second phase, and using the pace of Nisbitt to puncture the Lomond defence. Lomond's main attacks for now were through their backs, but with Nairn Harkin and McMillan in the back line once again, this week no one was getting through. A long clearance kick from his own 22 metre line and the follow up tap tackle from Greer was to result in Lomond penalised for holding on, Hill slotting home to make it 3-7.

Don't know if Cumnock were just missing someone in there to take note of when the ref was playing an advantage, certainly from the shouts on the sideline they all noticed, and he was very generous with it and mostly in Cumnocks favour. It was from an advantage that Lomond got their next score, Hodge making the break but that wee bit lack in support alowing for a turnover. With the rule of the day being, no one was to get through the fringes of any breakdown, this was held with rigour, until just before halftime when the Lomond hooker went straight through the middle untouched 3-17.

Cumnock at the start of the second half were to introduce another two of the young guns Euan Cunningham on for the battered and bruised Cross and Tony Foster replacing Nairn. As in the first half pssession was similar, but territorial advantage was in Cumnocks favour, but as did happen in the first half with the goal line in sight they chose the wrong option.
With the wind advantage Lomond were relying on the boot upfield, but with Nisbitt switching on his fullback head and Foster following up his clearance kicks, Cumnock were well capable of a counter attack.This half looked like a no score, until near the end Lomond on the attack and the player bundled into touch by a metre threw the ball back in play for one of his teamates to score 3-22.

Thanks to Alex Dunsmuir for report

Saturday 14th March INCLUDING RESULTS

Link to story on chatboard, come on please can more people join, there is only 17 members, Remember you have to join as a member of chatboard to view it (after verification)

If you are not going to Murrayfield, get down to Broonfield and support the guys who are playing.
The 2nds kick off at 1pm against Hamilton, followed at 2pm by the 1sts against GHK.
Both international matches will be shown on the big screen afterwards.

Result from Alan Hall on chatboard:-

Another defeat for Cumnock 1st XV at the weekend. 50 - 10 against GHK.

Highlight of the day was the two father and son appearances of

David & Euan Kerr
&
Mark & Stuart Bennett - both combined to score Cumnock's only try of the day.

Result from Jim on chatboard:-

There were two highlights in the 2nds game: Kyle Johnston's try after a successful chase and harrying by Martin Thomson. This followed one of Alex's well placed box kicks! The other highlight was Stephen Taylor's outrageous try. Kyle had taken a penalty into the wind, but the wind had held the ball up and it landed in goal. Stephen followed it up and touched down for the try.
The only downside was the broken ankle sustained by JJ.

Uddingston 0 Cumnock 1st xv 56

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.