Six Nations 2010 Tickets - Deadline 27th November

The prices for the 2010 6 Nations Tickets are shown below. Anyone wishing to apply for tickets should read the information below especially the bolded part

Scotland vs France 7th February k/o 3pm
Tickets are £70/50/30 for adults and £35/25/15 for Concessions

Wales vs Scotland Saturday 13th February k/o 2pm
Tickets are £65/60/45 for adults.

Italy vs Scotland Saturday 27th February k/o 1.30pm (GMT)
Tickets are £87/53/31 for adults

Scotland vs England Sunday 7th March k/o 3pm
Tickets are £70/50/30 for adults and £35/25/15 for concessions

Ireland vs Scotland Saturday 20th March k/o 5pm
Tickets are £70 for adults.

ALL TICKETS ARE TO PAID FOR WHEN APPLYING FOR THEM
A full allocation sheet is available from the bar. The Deadline is 27th November for applications

Cumnock Chatboard Link

This Saturday 10th October

Cumnock 1 st XV play Strathclyde Police on
Saturday watched by those attending the Friends and Former Players Sponsors
Day.  Over 70 faces from the past and present will join the usual
supporters to cheer on the young Cumnock side against Strathclyde’s
finest.  Meanwhile the 2nds will play Hillhead Jordanhill also at Cumnock.

 

This promises to be the busiest day at the Club for many a
year and hopefully we will have a couple of wins from the 1sts and 2nds to top
it off.

 

Morton Houston

Cumnock RFC Mini Coordinator

01290 552987

07748827836

1st XV League fixtures updated

The league fixture list has been redrawn after complaints from some clubs about having 3 away games in a row. Here are the revised fixtures:

SRU results page and table

29th AUG STRATHENDRICK H
5th SEP OBAN LORNE A
12th SEP PAISLEY H
19th SEP LOCH LOMOND A
26th SEP CUMBERNAULD H
3rd OCT MILLBRAE A
10th OCT STRATHCLYDE POL H
17th OCT CLYDEBANK A
24th OCT CARRICK H
31st OCT WIGTOWNSHIRE A
21st NOV STRATHENDRICK A
5th DEC OBAN LORNE H
12th DEC PAISLEY A
19th DEC LOCH LOMOND H
9th JAN CUMBERNAULD A
16th JAN MILLBRAE H
23rd JAN STRATHCLYDE POL A
30th JAN CLYDEBANK H
20th FEB CARRICK A
27th FEB WIGTOWNSHIRE H

Cumnock Chatboard Thread

Cumnock 41 Paisley 0

Cumnock picked up their first win of the season with an emphatic victory over Paisley at Broomfield. After narrowly losing their opening two matches, the side were determined to claim their first scalp against a Paisley side that had also lost their opening fixtures.

The game started positively for Cumnock with several powerful line breaks from both Cumnock backs and forwards and it was apparent that it was a case of when the first score would come rather than if it would.
The break came when Paisley were penalised for killing the ball after a break from the back of the scrum by Number 8 David Kerr (captain). Scott Houston took an offload and continued the forward movement before Paisley’s indiscipline. Cumnock took the penalty quickly with both Donald Hunter and Craig Greer committing defenders before unselfishly feeding Mark Bennett who crashed through the remaining defence to score. Kyle Johnson kicked the conversion.

Ferocious defence from Cumnock kept Paisley on the back foot with several crunching tackles from Stuart Hunter and Alan Smith meant that Paisley were unable to make any impression on the game. Another positive was the much improved line-out with Paul Miller regularly hitting his target, giving Cumnock’s backs free rein to run at their opposite numbers. Paisley had a player sin binned for a high tackle on Johnson who used the penalty to kick Cumnock deep into Paisley territory. Another smooth line-out meant that the backs had plenty of time to run a well rehearsed move to give Bennett a clear run to the line for his second try.
Johnson added the conversion and then a penalty when another Paisley high tackle meant another Paisley yellow card.

Cumnock made use of these indiscretions to run in a spectacular long range try with centres Bennett and Haynes slicing through the defence before feeding Stuart Hunter who drew the last defender and passed to Johnson who finished the move in the corner. He then stepped up calmly to knock over the kick from the touch line which trouble many international goal kickers.

The second half began with points from the reliable boot of Johnson when excellent pressure from Cumnock’s forwards resulted in a penalty. Paisley then made the mistake of kicking off straight to Bennett who showed the individual skill that has earned him a place in the Scotland Under 18 training squad by simply running straight through the Paisley defence to score his third. Johnson easily kicked the extras.

Paisley finally started to come into the game by slowing the game down and turning the game into a dull mix of scrums and rucks in order to prevent Cumnock’s backs from continuing to run riot. Disappointingly Cumnock picked a yellow card of their own when Rab Cross was sin binned, marring an otherwise impressive return to first team rugby.

Cumnock managed another try when Bennett made another trademark solo run to score his fourth try. Johnson reliably added the extras.
The rest of the game was spent mostly tight as Paisley set about making sure that Cumnock were unable to extend their lead. However, they never looked like scoring which meant that Cumnock were able to hold onto an impressive clean sheet.

Cumnock nearly added a sixth try after an excellent move with Gregor McMillan breaking down his wing before feeding Jamie Thomson who carried the ball forward before spreading the ball wide to the opposite wing where Tony Foster squeezed into the corner to score before being called back by the Paisley touch judge for having been in touch. Cumnock continued to pressure the Paisley line until the final whistle although they were unable to force their way over.

There several outstanding performances but the man of the match had to go to Mark Bennett for his four tries and for looking dangerous every time got the ball in his hands.
This was another very positive day for the young Cumnock team and if they continue to play the kind of free flowing rugby that they played in the first half especially then it will be hard for any team in the league to deal with them.

Team
Craig Greer, Paul Miller, Donald Hunter, Kevin Brady, Rab Cross, Stuart Hunter, Alan Smith, David Kerr, Scott Houston, Kyle Johnson, Gregor McMillan, Mark Bennett, Alan Haynes, Tony Foster, Conner Nisbet, Graham Hunter, Jamie Thomson, Martin Wilson

Next week Cumnock are away to Loch Lomond

Thanks to David Kerr for report
Cumnock chatboard link

Cumnock Rugby Club sponsors

Cumnock Rugby Club would like to express their sincere thanks to all of the club's sponsors for season 2008-09. Too many times it goes unsaid but: WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR HELP:-


Hillhouse Group
D.W. Shaw
Wallaces Express
K.B. Refrigeration Ltd
Donaldson & Paterson Ltd
Scottish Hydro Electric
Adam McPheators Gernal Builder
Horton & Sons
Kitwash
Tower Tools & Equipment
Bridgend Garage (Auchinleck) Ltd
Iain Watt Haulage Ltd
Mega Mix Concrete, New Cumnock
CB Radios & Accessories, Ayr
Taylors
Keith L Miller Associates

Cumnock Rugby Club History

55 Auchinleck Road, Cumnock, Ayrshire KA18 1AN Telephone Number 01290 420292

www.yell.com map of Cumnock RFC

CLUB HISTORY

Following the traditional end of season Old boys versus Cumnock Academy 1st XV game in March 1961, Jim Donaldson, Kenny Blair and Ross MacPherson discussed the possibility of forming a local rugby team. Indeed a Cumnock Academy FP club had been discussed on and off for a few years. The main stumbling block was however a lack of changing and training facilities at the Cumnock Academy School.

It was decided to approach the Head Teacher of the newly built St Conval’s School. After assurances that the new club would indeed be open to all, irrespective of class and creed the Head Teacher gave his permission for his school facilities to be used. Following an advert in the Cumnock Chronicle on 29th September 1961, inserted by Ronnie Houston and Allan Davidson, a meeting was held in the Dumfries Arms Hotel Cumnock on Friday 6th October with a view to forming Cumnock Rugby Football Club. It was at this meeting that Cumnock Rugby Football Club was officially formed. The following weeks Cumnock Chronicle read “Birth of a New Club”.

The report went on to state that although rugby had been played at Cumnock Academy almost consistently since 1935, this was the first effort to form a senior Rugby Club in the District. Until now rugby players in the district have had to travel to Ayr, Kilmarnock and even Glasgow clubs to continue playing, may of them achieving First XV status. Now it is hoped that the Club with these new facilities at Broomfield will be able to arrest this flow of talent from Cumnock. With this thought in mind, messrs R Houston and A Davidson (Ayr Rugby Club) and J Donaldson (Kilmarnock Rugby Club) got together and decided there was sufficient enthusiasm in the district to warrant the formation of a club. The enthusiasm was amply rewarded by the attendance at the meeting where there was between twenty and thirty prospective members present and the promised support from a like number.

The question of colours, practice nights, games etc was discussed and a running Committee was formed to deal with these problems for the remainder of this season. The Committee consisted of J Donaldson, J Ferguson, J R McClure, R Houston, W Morris, R Jess and A Davidson. The meeting was chaired by Mr J McClure who, in closing, said he was particularly pleased with the turn out and hoped that those present would pass on the word to any one interested. The first official committee meeting was held on 17th December 1961 when the under noted were elected.President:
L Sim
Vice President :
Ronnie Houston
Secretary:
Allan Davidson
Treasurer:
W Davidson
Captain:
Bill Cooper
Vice Captain:
Ronnie Houston
Committee:
Adam Blair, Robin Armour, Harry Scott and Jim Donaldson
A typical early First XV game was against the Ayr Seconds on 8th December 1961 when the team was D Johnstone, W Lammie, W Morrison, W Cooper, A Stirling, A Blackwood, A Davidson, F Little, S Stobie, A Blair, J McAtee, B Gunn, J Jenkins and K Blair.

THE EARLY DAYS


From these early days the club has grown from strength to strength and from 1962 when they really got started up until the opening of their own clubhouse at Broomfield in June 1979, the club used St Conval’s for changing and Broomfield for training and used the local pubs, Craighead, or the Tup Inn for their after game hospitality. In 1976 the club obtained a lease from the district council for Broomfield house and spent the next three years completely renovating with the help of a grant of £5000 from the Sports Council and a brewers loan from IND Coope.


PRESENT DAY


In season 1993/94 Cumnock won the Glasgow and District league gaining promotion to National League Division 7. League reconstruction then saw Cumnock promoted to Division 6. In 1998 we carried out major internal changes to the clubhouse at a cost of £20,000 making it one of the most envied in the district. In season 1998/99, Cumnock won National League Division 6 clinching the title with a hard fought win away to Earlston. However league reconstruction saw Cumnock entering National League Division 5 West. In season 2002/03, Cumnock won Division 5 West beating Newton Stewart in the play-off gaining promotion to National League Division 4.

1st Team Scores and Table from Scottish Rugby website

Reports from the games will follow (I hope).

Cumnock 2nd Team league can be found on Div 6 west fixtures and results website

Hopefully I will get results as well for these.

Membership

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP
FEE (YEARLY) FOR SEASON 2009/2010
Playing member:£40
Social member:£20
Under 18/student/unemployed:£20
School student:Free

Match Fee per game:- £5 per player

CLUB OFFICIALS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Office Bearers
President Alex Dunsmuir alex@dunsmuir5.freeserve.co.uk
Vice President Jim Morrison
Secretary Jim Morton
TreasurerRobert Hunter
Club CoachKevin Horton
General Committee Members
Daniel McLaren
Robert Horton
Mick Smith
Morton Houston
Thomas Cunningham
Marie Johnson
Yvonne Bennett
Catriona Hunter


ANY COMMENTS FOR CUMNOCK RFC CONTACT ME ON:- trobert_c@yahoo.co.uk
That includes reports, pictures, suggestions. Just let me know.

Thomas Cunningham.

Kestrels at Cumnock

Glasgow Kestrels vrs Dumfries & Galloway Bulls Under 15 game

Quick passes through gap in middle of line, same move both times, 14-0 Kestrels
The Kestrels broke through from Bulls 22 and other from own half for tries moving ball through a gap by passing quickly along line of backs. Both in middle of line though. 14-0 Kestrels

Kestrels scored another with right to left move from the 22, just a pass out wide for the try, it was converted and made it 21-0 to the Kestrels.

Half time Kestrels vrs Bulls 21-0
Bulls have tried to move forward, but sometimes make the wrong passing options. The Kestrels did keep going forward and got through with good passing.

Under 5 minutes in 2nd half and scored another try they worked through a long distance move to score a try (didn’t see much) 28-0

Next try was from 10 metres away from a scrum and back passed left to one of the backs and the back involved ran through a couple of players to score a try. Kestrels 33-0 Bulls

Bulls finally score after about 20 minutes in 2nd half has a player run and get past a few players from about 20 metres on the left hand side of the pitch to score a try. 33 Kestrels 7 Bulls after the conversion.

Good link up play from the Kestrels from their own half. Kestrels just kept good passing move, avoiding any tackles which could stop Kestrels from scoring try. After conversion it was Kestrels 40 Bulls 7.

Kestrels ran from their own half from left to right along length of pitch for final try. Conversion was short so the game finished 45-7 to the Kestrels.

Chatboard link

Forthcoming fixtures

View Larger Map

On Tuesday 11th August Cumnock under 17s are playing Carrick at Broomfield.

UPDATE: The above game has been cancelled.

On Wednesday 12th August both Glasgow Kestrels are playing the bulls and Glasgow Warriors are visiting Broomfield.

News from Annual General Meeting

Link to Chatboard

After tonights Annual General Meeting the following fees have been set at the following for season 2009/2010:-

Yearly Membership
Senior playing £40
Under 18/Student playing £20
Social £20

Also if anybody is looking to become a life membership you can 10x senior playing membership you can do this until 31st July (£400)


Senior Match Fees
£5 per game (includes students/unemployed)

Pre Season Training

Lnik to chatboard thread

Pre-season training:- Start Sat 4th July 1pm (Lions game@ 4pm)

A coaches meeting was held last Wednesday so that plans could be made for the coming season. As you can see pre - season starts on the 4th and will continue until the start of the season, three sessions a week.
A sample of what was spoken about can be read below.

Teams to be put on board Tuesday evening chosen by selection committee.
Possibility, at least once a month 1st and 2nd team coaches will swap giving
The opportunity to evaluate other players.

Players meeting pre-season, put up some ground rules.
Candidates for team captains to be proposed by coaches, then voted on by
players at players meeting.

Put a plan in place as to where/what level we are trying to coach to, and
as to what style of play we are trying to achieve.

Coaches Stewart Bennett, Alan Hill, Steven Miller, Alan Hall & Morton Houston.

Team managers Alec Dunsmuir (1st XV) Jim Morrison (2nd XV)

OBJECTIVES FOR IMPROVEMENT


A number of areas were highlighted for improvement by the coaching team and these areas should be used by coaches and players on and off the field to set standards.

1. Dress code More professional approach to dress code by all player and committee. Club tie, white shirt, black trousers, black shoes.
2. Selection Policy Teams to be picked by selection committee consisting of all coaches. Teams lists to be up by Tuesday night.
3. Lineout Objective to improve lineout throwing, jumping and lifting techniques.
4. Rucking Improvements to be made in body position and technique at ruck, options from the base of ruck and defensive alignment at ruck.
5. Attitude Improve attitude of forwards in getting around the park and getting to breakdowns and winning the ball.
6. Leadership Improve the leadership of all the players by getting them to set standards.
7. Scrum Half Options We need to improve option runners for the scum halves at the breakdown area and give them alternatives to a pass to the stand off.
8. Mauling Players will have to have good mauling technique and more importantly be able to counter maul effectively .
9. Communication This has to be improved on the park so we can improve team play. Off the park has to improve as well with players having to contact team managers/ coaches re non availability for games and training.

We hope that this year we will be ready to compete from the start of the season and that the club will reap the rewards from everyones hard work.

Enjoy your summer the hard work starts soon.

Stewart.

Newsletter

Cumnock chatboard thread

There is a newsletter for all Members of Cumnock RFC behind the bar, which will give you notice of the Annual General Meeting on Friday 5th June.

I have now emailed all of you on my membership list the newsletter:-

Following is an extract:-

Newsletter
Cumnock Rugby Club will hold it’s AGM on Friday 5th June 2009 in the function room. Due to the present economic situation there are some important issues going to be raised and the opinions of members will be looked for. It is essential that as many members as possible attend to voice their thoughts.
Playing/Coaching Report
Again our very successful Mini/Midi Section of the club have continued with great success. This year, from the youngest teams winning local festivals, to the under 17 players who represented Cumnock Rugby Club at Glasgow and National level we have a youth section which is the envy of many larger clubs . Once again many congratulations go out to the coaches, players and parents alike who contribute to the huge success of our youth teams. Long may it continue!
The 1st and 2nd XV have had a mixed year with a lot of young players coming into the senior teams. With a blend of experience and youth we have a much brighter future on the horizon. Our 1st XV have secured their position in the West Division 1 League for another year. With the young players now coming through in ever increasing numbers, with ever improving skill levels, we are hopeful the glory years are just around the corner. Well done all the players and the coaches, for a hard and sometimes difficult year, where everyone stuck to their task!

Finance
It’s been another tough year for the club in terms of finance. The club is primarily surviving on function income, with the rugby side not contributing enough to the finances of the club. Obviously there is a core of the membership and players that do support the club either with maintenance, financially and the support of functions, plus playing for the club. For this we are grateful.

To give you a flavour of the costs associated with the running of the club, we are looking at a cash outflow of over £2,000 per month just to open the doors. Including trading profits over the bar we take around £1,200-£1500 per month. This means we are looking at funding another £1,000 per month from other sources. In the past we have been lucky enough to fund this through grants and donations. However, it is now time to hope the players and all members step in with their support. Not necessarily through cash donations (though these are always appreciated), but to assist in some way with the day to day running of your club. We cannot afford to continue to operate in the manner we are at present.
From a membership of over 100 senior members, we have 7 members who regularly do a shift behind the bar. Paid bar staff cost us around £10,000 per year and we are looking to reduce this next year to enable the club to continue to operate successfully. So please support your club and if possible help out with the bar rota. A separate letter will be issued to all members looking for their support and for volunteers on a regular or one off basis to help behind the bar.

So please read it. If you any questions, comments you can put them on chatboard. That isnt a thread where I want to do all the typing, lets have a debate.

Anybody who wants the newsletter and I haven't sent it to them message on chatboard thread or email me on trobert_c@yahoo.co.uk

IRB 7s

We will be running a bus to the IRB 7’s again this year. Tickets will be allocated on a first come first serve basis and demand always outstrips supply so get your skates on. This event gets the kids and the old yins up close and personal with some of their heroes. I have attached some pictures from last year to give a flavour.

Let Kevan Aitken know how many tickets you need as well as getting the cash to him a soon as we confirm prices.

EDIT:- I hope everyone that is going has fun Saturday and Sunday, any details from Sunday I will post (hopefully including pics).

Tommy.

Player of the Year Awards

It's that time of year again. Nomination forms are now available behind the bar for you to vote for the various awards. The categories are:

Player of the year
2nd XV player of the year
Most improved player
Young Player of the year (U21)
Most deserving Player

If you can't get down to the club, then contact Jim Morton in order to cast your votes. The awards will be presented on Sunday 24th May after the 1st XV v U17 game.

As we should all know the Under 17s and playing the 1st team next Sunday 24th May. It is ofcourse still the the Mini/midi awards day. tickets are £6 for adults and £3 for children.

There is some unfortunate people that need to be at the club for 9am. The marquee we used at the mini festival will be there again. There is going to be a BBQ and a tuck shop. There is some of you that are at Kilmarnock this weekend and Whitecraigs. So that we can order enough food we need to know this weekend for many tickets are sold, so that we can buy enough burgers, so buy your tickets this weekend.

So help us all out and get the tickets sold.
(thank you coaches/parents and everyone else)

Tommy (Webmaster for mini/midi officially (seeing as that me on that committee as well) and senior section of Cumnock Rugby Club.

Mini festival inlcuding reports

Picture of winning Primary 5 Cumnock team
P7 Coaches - Jim Faulds, Kevan Aitken, Danny McLaren
Winning Cumnock P7 team

This was a festival that was scheduled for last October but was cancelled due to inclement weather. However this did not diminish the quality of the rugby on show and produced two age group winners for Cumnock.

Over 160 primary school players from P3 to P7 competed against teams from Ardrossan, Dumfries and Kilmarnock in the quest for silverware.

The format used for these young players has been pioneered by Cumnock Rugby Club to promotes the use of the players skills as the mechanism to win the tournament and rather than the team who scores the most. “We tried to focus on encouraging the core skills that players of these age groups should be displaying” said Harry Reilly, one of the Festival Organisers. “Too many times we see teams at these age groups focussing on winning a tournament/festival rather than focusing on the basic skills that produce high quality players for the future”. These coaching principles are certainly showing results as Cumnock had four players selected for U16 Glasgow Warriors Squad which won the Inter District Championship today.

Primary 7 reports for Cumnock Mini Festival

Cumnock 8 Ardrossan 3

Cumnock were fired up for this game, closing down Ardrossan right from the start. Once Gregor Aitken got the first score after some great team interplay the result was never in any doubt. The midweek training session paid off with the forwards using their new move to pentetrate the Ardrossan defence again and again and by the interval Cumnock were 5-0 ahead. Some slackplay and poor defending let Ardrossan in for three scores, but Cumnock replied with three fine tries of their own. Man of the match for Cumnock was selected by the Ardrossan coach and was Andrew Harkiss who had put in a powerful performance in the centre of the pack. Cumnock scores came from Gregor Aitken (2), Jack Reilly (3), Taylor Howie and Aiden Kerr (2).

Cumnock 5 Kilmarnock 4

This was a terrific game played with great determination by both teams. The skill levels demonstrated by both teams were of an extremley high level and the crowd was treated to a wonderful game of rugby. Kilmarnock opened the scoring but Cumnock dug deep and responded quickly with a great move leading to a try for Jack Reilly. Both teams traded scores until Cumnock opened up a two point lead. After that the result wasn't in doubt and Cumnock held out for a fantastic win over their old rivals. Scores came from Jack Reilly, Taylor Howie, Andrew Harkiss, Zack North and Connor McSevenney. Special mention must be made of Man of the Match, Scott Faulds, who works away in the game, winning and securing ball for his team.

The P7 team were overall winners of the Festival and the coaching team of Kevan Aitken, Euan Kerr, Harry Reilly and Danny McLaren won the P7 coaches award for the way that they coached their players on the day, assisted by Jim Faulds. The Players Player of the day was Andrew Harkiss.

Cumnock P5 Match Reports

The Cumnock P5 team put in a great performance on Sunday at the clubs annual mini festival. The club were hosting teams from Ardrossan, Dumfries and Kilmarnock . The day produced 3 thrilling games of rugby at P5 level with the Cumnock team stepping up to the mark and securing victory in all of their games. Man of the match awards going to Sean Houston, Jack McSeveney and John Watt. The team also went on to win the overall award for their age group. This was a real recognition of the team's performance as this award is based on the team's execution of the core skills (running, tackling and support play) and not on game results. The P5 team which put in such a great performance were Calum Bell, Kory Galloway, Lucy Watt, Sean Houson, Tyler Wallace, John Watt, Calum Hendrie, Jack McSeveney and Rory Nimmo. Congratulations P5, you all put in a superb performance today.

Cumnock P3/4 Match Reports

Cumnock 11 – 12 Ardrossan

Cumnock kicked off their tournament against a dangerous Ardrossan team.

Unfortunately it took the side a few minutes to realise this and they quickly found themselves three scores down. After this slow start however Cumnock fought back with two quick-fire tries from Owen Young and from then on both sides scored freely with some tremendous attacking and support play from both sides.

Cumnock’s much improved support play was the most impressive aspect of this performance with breaks made by Alex Houston and Adam Watt ably followed up by Rob Drummond and Ross Watson Indeed it was noticeable that Cumnock’s overall team play was much better than that of Ardrossan whose man of the match scored ten of his sides tries in an impressive individual display.

Cumnock’s man of the match as selected by the Ardrossan coach was Austin McBirnie who put in probably his best performance of the season so far and had a hand in every move of the match, despite somehow not managing to score himself!

The rest of the scores came from Owen Young (7), Alex Houston (2) and Craig Sloan (2) and despite the result Cumnock could take a lot from this game as their attacking play was much better than in recent weeks.



Cumnock 4 – 10 Kilmarnock

This local derby was the sides other game of the day and they were confident of another competitive display following their impressive form in the opening game.

However the traditional Cumnock slow start was in action once more and the powerful runners of the Kilmarnock side took advantage of this score five tries before half time. Only one long range try from broken play by Adam Watt came in Cumnock’s favour.

The side rallied after a reminder at half time about the importance of tackling the opposition and they came flying out of the blocks for the second half with some excellent tackling by Ross Watson and Rob Drummond. This seemed to rattle Kilmarnock and it allowed Cumnock to run in tries from Owen Young, Alex Houston and another from Adam Watt.

Unfortunately this fight back was short lived as Kilmarnock ran in another five tries without reply as Cumnock’s defence seemed to go to sleep. The man of the match for this game was Adam Watt for his two tries and a tenacious defensive effort that many of his team mates could learn a lot from.

Ultimately this was mixed weekend for the P3/4s though several positive aspects such as an impressive attacking performance with some spectacular individual moments from several players means that this team can be very positive about its future.

Link to chatboard

Credit to Fiona and Harry for the reports and pics.

Harry (and the rest of us) wishes to thank everybody who helped out Sunday.

2nds v Allan Glens Sat 25th April

Please note that the kick off has been moved to 2.30pm. Come down and watch the last game of the season and have a few beers afterwards.

Allan Glens won 36-5 and by the noise I heard when I phoned the rugby club, some of them had stayed.

Cumnock Primary 7s report for 19 April

Link to Cumnock Chatboard

Cumnock 2 Strathaven 7

This was a glorious day for running rugby but it was the Strathaven team, fresh from an Easter Tournament in France that took the initiative, leaving Cumnock to play catch-up. The boys looked rusty, particularly in the first half and their handling, usually their best skill, let them down. Some poor tackling and covering let Strathaven win this desicively. Overall though Cumnock didn't play badly, with improved performances from Ross Phillips and Scott Faulds leading to a try from Ross. Cumnocks first score came from the ever eager Aiden Kerr.

Cumnock 6 Uddingston 7

Cumnock played much better against a strong team that had just drawn with Strathaven. They closed down their opponents and didn't give too much space to the stronger Uddingston runners. Again, though poor tackling let them down. Some of the Cumnock tries came from well worked set-pieces and there were some good individual runs from Gregor Aitken and Robbie McLaren ending in scores for these players. The other scores came from Jack Reilly (3) and Zack North. Man of the match fro the day was awarded to Ross Phillips who put in his best performance in a Cumnock shirt.

2nds lose at West

The 2nds travelled to Burnbrae to take on the best team in the league on a beautiful spring day. The 18 man squad contained no fewer than 10 teenagers.The game was played in a hard but fair manner from beginning to end, and was well refereed. Cumnock started well and some big tackles were put in, which forced errors from the hosts. The visitors also drove the hosts back at mauls and rucks. However, the toll of those early hits started to tell. The home team threw the ball wide at every opportunity, and they began to find holes in the defence. Half time came with the hosts leading 40-0.Cumnock rallied in the second half and started to take the game to the hosts. There was some excellent driving play, but the home defence held firm. They counter attacked again and again, and scored 4 more tries. Cumnock had the last say in the match when from a penalty 5 metres out, Craig McWhirter was driven over for his first try for the seniors. The West supporters applauded a well deserved try. The final score was 66-5.The WOS website reported : However, this was a predominately young Cumnock side that showed much promise for the future of their club.Well done to all players who never gave up and were rewarded by that try.
Man of the match (as selected by the referee) Graham Hunter.
DOD: ( for missing tackles) Steven Taylor.
Next week sees the final match of the season as Allan Glens visit Broomfield. Kick off is at 3pm, and all spectators are welcome.

Link to Cumnock chatboard

Link to West of Scotland website

Cumnock Girls Team

Congratulations to the girls team who have made it through to the semi-final of the U18 cup after a hard fought victory over Ayr. They now travel to Aberdeenshire to meet Aboyne. According to coach Mark Linden, it was an excellent game of rugby and the Cumnock team were worthy winners. The final score was 10-29 in favour of the girls in Red and Black.

In the semi final the Cumnock Rugby Club Girls Under 18s team play Aboyne/Banchory Academy in Aberdeenshire on Sunday 12 April.

Anyone wanting to come along and add their support are more than welcome.
We have arranged a coach and for a small fee will be charged.
All welcome. For details contact Mark Linden.

Chatboard link, comments please

Unfortunately the Girls lost 34-19. The aboyne team had a couple of quick players. The Girls played really well. Thanks to Una for the update.

Under 17 tour

The under 17s have just returned from a fantastic trip to Belfast. They played 2 games defeating Ards 40-28 and Malone 31-12.

Both these teams are in the premier league in Northern Ireland. Malone are undefeated at the top of the league.

The players played out of their skins against Malone after a slow start to the tour against Ards.

The 20 our so parents and coaches who attended also had a great time.

They play what could be one of their last games together against Dumfries at home this SUNDAY at 2pm and it would be good to get a great crowd along to see the players who will be figuring in the firsts and seconds next year.

The Irish teams could not have been more accommodating or friendly to us during the trip

Credit to Houstie from chatboard for report.

Glasgow Under 16s - 22 Caledonia Under 16s - 16

Link to report on Scottish Rugby Site
Link to chatboard to discuss

Match report Glasgow U16 v Caledonia U16
Monday, 23 March 2009
Glasgow U16’s pull together to play sumptuous final 30

Glasgow U16’s pulled together to perform an excellent spell of rugby in the final 30 minutes of their match versus Caledonia U16’s at Selkirk RFC on Sunday 22nd March. Things did not look good as Glasgow played into a strong wind and were pinned well inside their half by Caledonia’s kicking strategy and dominant pack through the first half. Penalties by Caledonia’s kicker made the score 6-0 (12 & 22 minutes) and only breaks by Beckwith, Ferguson and Bennett relieved the pressure from Glasgow’s 22. The wind hindered Glasgow’s attempt to escape their own half and only their strong defence around the breakdown kept Caledonia from scoring a try. Glasgow’s excellent defensive effort looked like talking them into half time without conceding a try but with the last play Caledonia crossed the white line. Caledonia again gained excellent field position and from a catch and drive from the lineout drove in towards the posts. Clean ball allowed them to attack the blindside and passed to their winger who easily outflanked the cover defence to run in from 20 metres.

Half time – Glasgow 0 – Caledonia 11

Caledonia came out strongly and from a lineout on Glasgow’s 22 they drove twice into the midfield before easily passing the ball through the hands and scoring in the corner after only 4 minutes. A 16-0 lead however did not look to daunting as the strong wind continued to drive down the length of the pitch. The try spurned the Glasgow forward pack on and suddenly they dominated the scrum, lineout and breakdown, finally releasing the backs with go forward ball. Caledonia made a mistake behind their scrum just inside their half and from the turnover Glasgow spread the ball wide to Beckwith who sprinted past 3 defenders to score in the corner (8 minutes). Soon after the restart Caledonia were awarded a scrum – again Glasgow pressure resulted in a ball against the head. A good pick up and drive from replacement No. 8, Templeton, and quick ruck ball released Bennett through the center of midfield and he easily stepped the full back and scored under the posts (13minutes). Scott converted to make it Glasgow 12 – Caledonia 16.

As the match entered the last 20 minutes Glasgow exerted pressure through intelligent kicking from Scott and Bennett. Winning the ball, again from turn over ball strong runs from Beckwith, Hughes, Steele and the impressive Bennett left a gap around the breakdown for scrum half Steele to dive over from close range (22minutes). David Scott converted. Caledonia tried and tried to break out of their half with some good breaks and forward drives but their continuity let them down and Glasgow continually pinned their opponents back in their half. A penalty for going off their feet at the ruck meant that Scott stepped up to make the score Glasgow 22 – Caledonia 16 (30 minutes). The match finished with Caledonia battling to get out of their half against a buoyant Glasgow team.

Final score - Glasgow 22 – Caledonia 16
Team:-
Position Name School - Club
1 Joe McQuade St. Aloysius College – Hamilton RFC
2 Ross Campbell Irvine Royal Academy – Marress RFC
3 Jonathan Agnew Boclair Academy - Hillhead/Jordanhill RFC
4 Kris Hughes Calderglen High School - Cambuslang RFC
5 Adam Barnett Mearns Castle High School - GHA RFC
6 Jamie Graham Dumfries Academy - Dumfries RFC
7 Murray Cubie High School of Glasgow
8 Michael Vernell St. Aloysius College – Allan Glens RFC

9 Scott Houston Auchinleck Academy - Cumnock RFC
10 Robbie Ferguson Wellington School – Ayr RFC
11 Sam Goodrich River of Life School - Dumfries RFC
12 Alan Haynes Auchinleck Academy - Cumnock RFC
13 Mark Bennett (c) St. Joseph’s Academy - Cumnock RFC
14 Gavin Kerr Ayr Academy - Cumnock RFC
15 Murray Beckwith Marr College