Garnock too tough for Cumbernauld RFC

Cumbernauld 18

After leading by 18-13 at half time, Cumbernauld had to admit defeat as they succumbed to a stong Garnock fightback in the second half.

The game started well for Cumbernauld as Ross Cowie scored in the corner following a good break by Martin Wallace.

The try was converted by Andrew Reid but the lead proved to be short lived as Garnock immediately countered with their own try in the corner. This try was unconverted but the home outfit scored shortly afterwards when they broke from their own half and generous Cumbernauld tackling left them an easy score. The more remarkable feature of this score was to follow when Ian Hepburn bravely charged down the conversion to limit Garnock’s score to 10 points overall.

Cumbernauld, not to be undone, almost scored when Minty Wallace was foiled in the corner following a good break by Andrew “Beanie” Reid. Then Grant Cowie scored following good work from Ian Hepburn making the score 12-10 in Cumbernauld’s favour.

The action then continued with a succession of penalties with Garnock scoring theirs and Cumbernauld hitting the post with one and scoring with another.

The action-packed first half was not over as the visitors compounded their lead of 18-13 with an Andrew Reid penalty which flew over the bar from the half way line to be followed by a Garnock penalty making the half time score 18-16 in Cumbernauld’s favour.

What a game. If the referee had sounded his whistle at this point the large crowd would have departed happy following a feast of rugby. But the vagaries of the game dictated that the two teams had to contest another half and unfortunately injuries denied Cumbernauld the opportunity to build on their lead.

Another penalty and a series of conversions made the final score 45-18 which slightly flattered the home team.

Cumbernauld coaching staff nominated Grant Cowie as man of the match..

Cumbernauld’s next game is against Cambuslang at home on Saturday, September 14 with a 3pm kick off. Cambuslang, like Cumbernauld, have won one and lost one league fixture to date.