Uddingston 14 Cumnock s1 8

S1 Level:
Uddingston 14 - Cumnock Cougars 8
 
After an
extended lay off the Cumnock S1' faced a trip to Uddingston determined to
produce a performance to get their season on track again. With difficult
conditions both teams started well but is was the hosts that put the vital first
score on the board after a break down the Cumnock flank coupled with some
less than convincing tackling. Although caught a little cold Cumnock buckled
down to task and some incisive running from speed merchants Gavin Whyte and Euan
Hendry saw Cumnock deep in "Uddy" territory for phase after phase however a
score remained elusive and Uddingstons' scrambling defence managed to hold out
to the whistle.
 
At the break
the coaches were pleased and encouraged the team to keep their composure but
stressed the work rate from the forwards needed to
improve.
 
The middle
game of the session produced more of the same with both teams fairly evenly
matched. It was the hosts who took full advantage of some Cumnock mistakes to
post two unanswered tries. There was a feeling on the touchline that the
performances from forwards Ross Phillips, Callan Gordon, Robbie McLaren and
Scott Faulds were starting to reap rewards and that more of the same in the last
game would bear fruit.
 
With the
momentum starting to swing towards Cumnock the team were looking to rescue some
pride and avoid the whitewash. At last the potential of this team started to
show with attack after attack forcing the majority of this last stanza to be
played deep in Uddingston territory. The forwards started to win  good
ball allowing Aiden Kerr and Jack Reilly to drive the team up the park form
the half back position building the platform for some Cumnock scores. A quick
tap from a short penalty by Aiden Kerr  and a rampaging charge from
Callan Gordon leaving a trail of Uddingston

defenders in his wake saw both crash
over for scores. With both kicks converted by Reilly this was the
performance the coaches had been looking for although too late to rescue the
match.
 
The coaches
were very positive and are now looking for the team to carry this performance
forward to their next game, at home to Stewartry, on Sunday 1st November (KO
1400)