Cumbernauld scrape through in derby

Lenzie 15 Cumbernauld 19RBS West Regional LeagueDivision Two

DERBY games between Lenzie and Cumbernauld are always tense affairs, but with the unsettled form of both teams so far this season, this game took on greater importance as they both looked to get into the top half of the table.

For the neutral this wasn’t one for the scrap book, with the error rate and a referee keen on blowing his whistle making sure there was little flow to the game, but in such circumstances you’ve got to knuckle down and make the most of your opportunities.

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After exchanging a couple of penalty goals, it was Cumbernauld through Wallace who scored the first try of the match, to give the visitors a 13–3 half time lead. The Cumbernauld pack kept things moving in the second half, and with another penalty stretching the lead it looked as though the last 20 minutes would be comfortable. However, Lenzie never gave up, and piled on the pressure, scoring two tries in the last quarter, to keep the tension going right up to the final whistle – three minutes to go, one point in it.

The hosts again applied the pressure, but when the ball was cleared, and the Lenzie centre failed to release the ball in a tackle on his 10 metre line, Cumbernauld took the opportunity of the 40 metre penalty, with Andrew Reid slotting it right down the middle, giving Cumbernauld a hard fought victory of 19 points to 15, with young Reid’s points tally for the day of 14.

In the only other Cumbernauld match of the weekend, the 2nd XV also took on Lenzie, and came away with a more comfortable 38 points to seven victory, with tries for Inverarity (2), J. Morrison, Prinn, Croal and Gallagher, and successful kicks at goal for C. Fraser and N. Morrison.

Training continues for both 1st and 2nd XV at the playing fields in Condorrat on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, with the Clubs new coaching team of Grieg Kay and Bubba Hays looking to build on the momentum they’ve generated over the past few weeks.

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Cumbernauld Rugby will also soon be launching a new tournament – a Saturday morning ten-a-side league for under 15 and 16s. All games will be played at the Club in Condorrat. Players interested in registering to take part in the league should contact Paul on 07960 811326.