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Post by Thomas Cunningham on Aug 29, 2009 19:02:36 GMT
More details to follow from Cumnock's first league game.
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Post by Thomas Cunningham on Aug 31, 2009 7:09:03 GMT
Cumnock 10 – 14 Strathendrick 29/08/2009
Cumnock began the new league season with a challenging match against an experienced Strathendrick side who in recent years have made a habit of taking at least sixty points off Cumnock. This year Cumnock have a very young team with nine of the fifteen starters in this fixture only aged sixteen and this result showed that the side can be optimistic of a competitive league campaign.
The match began in almost perfect fashion for Cumnock as they absorbed early pressure from Strathendrick before securing turnover ball with which Cumnock’s backs managed to make space for Mark Bennett to beat his marker and sprint to the line unopposed. Stand-off, Kyle Johnson, added the conversion from wide on the right to give Cumnock an early seven point lead.
Cumnock used the wind to their advantage in the first half with intelligent kicking from Scott Houston and Johnson giving them excellent field position. Unfortunately a misfiring lineout meant they were unable to capitalise on this territory.
Strathendrick regrouped with strong running from their forwards keeping Cumnock under pressure although the defensive line held for a long time. Strathendrick were always going to make something out of this long spell in possession and the breakthrough came when their winger, former Scotland international, Rory Kerr, crashed through some weak Cumnock tackling to score under the posts. They added the conversion to bring the scores level.
The rest of the half was very tight with Johnson and Bennett both missing difficult long range penalties to give Cumnock back the lead. The game was perhaps best defined by a long spell Cumnock spent deep in Strathendrick territory, unable to force their way through because of robust defence and the continuing woes at the lineout.
The second half began well for Cumnock with the impressive Johnson adding a penalty to give his side the lead again.
However, the visitors used their experience and extra bulk to monopolise possession and the wind to kick the ball deep keeping Cumnock pinned back in their own half. The young team were determined to hold their slender lead with excellent defensive work from flankers Blair McMillan and Alan Smith backed up with strong defence from wings Alan Haynes and Gregor McMillan against considerably larger opposition meant that Strathendrick were consistently frustrated in their attempts to cross the Cumnock line.
However it is very difficult to defend for that long against larger opposition and Strathendrick eventually forced their way over with their captain crashing through from a few yards out.
Cumnock almost pulled a score back when Alan Haynes pounced on loose ball and kicked ahead only missing out on a score when the last bounce of the ball went to the chasing defence ahead of Haynes. Strathendrick used their experience again to control the possession, keeping the ball tight and not allowing Cumnock any chances to score.
Strathendrick were clearly relieved when the final whistle went having been given an almighty shock by the young home side. This was a game determined by very small margins and Cumnock were left to look back with a whole host of ifs and maybes. However a losing bonus point against strong opposition is not a bad way to start the season and the side have plenty of positives to take from this game into the rest of the season.
Man of the match was Alan Smith, having switched from centre to flanker and putting a huge amount of hard work into his new role, disrupting Strathendrick ball as well as contributing a high tackle count.
Special mention must also go to Steven Millar, a Cumnock coach who stepped in at short notice to referee the match after the original referee called off.
Team
Craig Greer, Paul Millar, Donald Hunter, Kevin Brady, Euan Cunningham, Blair McMillan, Alan Smith, David Kerr, Scott Houston, Kyle Johnson, Tony Foster, Mark Bennett, Martin Wilson, Alan Haynes, Conner Nisbet, Andy McCrorie, Greg Hamilton, Gregor McMillan
Next week the team make the long trip north to take on Oban.
Thanks to David Kerr, Captain for the report.
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Post by Thomas Cunningham on Sept 1, 2009 18:39:01 GMT
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Post by jim on Sept 3, 2009 6:28:47 GMT
CUMNOCK 10, STRATHENDRICK 14.
Having beaten Cumnock comfortably at the end of last season, Strathendrick felt this was a favourable opener for the 2009-10 League campaign in which the Fintry side are aiming for promotion. However despite the youth of the opposition - several of the Cumnock side were under 18’s - they were fast, determined, well drilled and provided a much stiffer test than expected.
‘Endrick kicked off confidently and used their superior strength to work their way upfield but over -eager passes displayed early season lack of sharpness and opportunities went a-begging. The Cumnock boys look sharp on the break and after nine minutes – having already missed a long range penalty – their Scotland U18 centre Bennett ran through the ‘Endrick defence for the opening try, which was converted.
This was not the script ‘Endrick had planned and so they used their forward strength in set pieces and pick-and-drives to earn good field position. Repeated attacks were well defended until 15 minutes into the half when Rory Kerr came off his wing and broke through to score under the posts – Bruce Duncan converting to level the scores. Both teams missed penalty attempts which were difficult in the swirling wind and there was no further score before the interval.
The scoreline fairly reflected the balance of play but the home side took the lead again just two minutes into the second half with a well taken penalty. Despite their weight and height advantage and greater experience the visitors were having real difficulty imposing their game on an athletic and motivated Cumnock side. Both teams made forays into each other’s territory and early season nerves were taut with the score so close. Both sides suffered minor injuries, calling substitutes into action. With the strong wind at their backs Endrick exerted consistent pressure and this eventually paid-off when Jonny Porteous crashed through to touch down near the posts. There was an anxious wait as the referee (the Cumnock Vice President – who stood in at short notice when the Society Ref called off) assessed the situation before awarding the try. Duncan again converted for ‘Endrick to take the lead for the first time after 60 minutes.
Endrick looked to extend their lead but Pete Emerson came off with an ankle injury and solid tackling kept them at bay, Duncan missing a further penalty attempt. In fact the home side always looked capable of scoring breakaways and a long distance kick-and-chase resulted in Steve Bastock winning the race to touch down over the ‘Endrick try–line. Again the referee – who had a good game – weighed up the situation before ruling in Endrick’s favour.
And so the final minutes were played out in what was not an entirely comfortable victory for the Fintry team. No bonus point but a win is a win!
ENDRICK- S.McCabe; P.Emmerson, S. Bastock, D.Porteous, R.Kerr; B.Duncan, H.Douglas; D.Spence, S. Forsyth, S.Cuthbertson, J. McLaughlin, S. O’Brien (Capt), J.Porteous, M.Braceland and J.Cuthbertson,
Subs (all used) G.MacAlpine, K.Campbell and G. Scott.
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