Injury time score earns Cumbernauld victory

A trip across the water to Arran proved a successful one for Cumbernauld Rugby Club on Saturday as they returned with a 17-14 victory over the Islanders.
Jordan Reid contributed vital points to Cumbernaulds win over Arran.Jordan Reid contributed vital points to Cumbernaulds win over Arran.
Jordan Reid contributed vital points to Cumbernaulds win over Arran.

However the Badgers left it late before securing the win - which lifted them up to third bottom of the BT West Division 2 table - with an injury-time score.

But while it was a tight run thing, Cumbernauld were worthy winners after an exciting encounter on a fine sunny day in Brodick.

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It was bottom-of-the-table Arran who took an early lead after five minutes when their centre crashed through for an unconverted try.

From the ensuing kick-off Cumbernauld put pressure on Arran who were subsequently penalised at the breakdown and Jordan Reid stepped up and popped the ball between the sticks to make the score 5-3.

Arran continued to pressurise and were camped in the Cumbernauld half for most of the 1st period, but stout defending by Cumbernauld kept Arran at bay.

With the penalty count against Cumbernauld rising, Arran eventually got in sight of the posts and converted a penalty just before half-time to give them an 8-3 lead.

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Just after half-time Arran stretched their lead by a further three points when Cumbernauld yet again conceded a needless penalty.

Cumbernauld were unlucky not to increase their score when Rice, for the second week running, was denied a touch down after the ref adjudged the final pass to be forward.

But this inspired the Badgers and, after a 10 metre driving maul, man of the match Durson touched down for a try converted by Reid.

From the kick-off Arran started to pressurise the Cumbernauld line but again were held back before Arran were awarded another penalty which they converted to give them a 14-10 lead.

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With only a few minutes left on the clock Arran looked as though they were going to take the points but the Badgers had a different agenda and, spurred on by the travelling support, took the game into the Arran half.

After pounding their line MacDonald found a gap and went through for a fine try four minutes into injury time, converted by J Reid to give Cumbernauld a 17-14 victory.

This was a fine all-round team effort by the Badgers and a credit to their resolve by not giving up.

This now puts them into third bottom, above Strathendrick, but they face a tough game this Saturday against title chasers Annan at Auchenkilns, kick-off 3pm.

However, if they are to succeed, they must work on reducing their penalty count as they conceded 19 against Arran. Training continues at Auchenkilns on Tuesday and Thursday at 7pm.

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