The comeback kings

Published 21 Oct 2009 15:00

Clydebank 27 Cumnock 20

BOTH Clydebank senior teams were in action at home this weekend against the same opposition Cumnock and both teams recorded victories.

The first XV were once more a changed side due to call-offs and injuries and were going into the match off the back of their first defeat the week before.

After a first-half roasting by a youthful Cumnock side they were trailing 5-20 but a show of great character saw them regain their composure and run in 22 points without response to win 27-20.

With the kick off by Cumnock going loose, Cumnock regained possession and their young and confident stand-off slotted a fine drop goal to get the first points on the board within the first minute of play.

Clydebank were in disarray and eight minutes later Cumnock crossed the line for the first try and stretched the lead with the added conversion.

In order to give them a chance to get back into the match they reverted to their core strength, the forwards, who proceeded to keep the ball tight and take the young Cumnock team up front.

This paid off initially and the next 20 minutes was played mostly in the Cumnock 22-metre area.

On the half-hour mark a break by Derek Nolan looked to have crossed the line but was judged to have been held up.

However, Derek took a knock to the head and had to leave the field causing another significant change to the Clydebank line-up.

Clydebank had a penalty immediately after and opted for the kick to touch and the lineout.

With a clean win, the ensuing maul rolled over the line with Graeme Kyle in control to touch down. Ross Moffatt missed the conversion but the score was now 5-10.

The play went back up the field and within three minutes an infringement by Clydebank gave Cumnock another shot at goal and an easy three points to take the score to 5-13.

As Clydebank stumbled and fumbled to clear the danger the quick Cumnock backs were following up and in a minute of madness Clydebank had lost possession and Cumnock were running over the line for another try on 44 minutes.

A difficult conversion was added and the half ended with Clydebank in their worst position of the season, trailing 5-20.

Things looked bleak for Clydebank going into the second half and after five minutes Cumnock had another penalty chance, but they missed.

Two minutes later Clydebank had possession once more close to the Cumnock line and the forwards battered their way through to cross the line with Kyle once more in control as the ball was touched down. The conversion was missed.

Clydebank came back again and again at the Cumnock defence and after several bruising charges they had another penalty which they kicked for the line-out on the five-yard line.

Another win in the line-out saw Clydebank march over the line with Kyle once again with the ball in hand as they crossed the line.

A fantastic hat-trick and an amazing comeback was on the cards.

Moffatt added the conversion to narrow the gap to 17-20.

Clydebank had the bit between their teeth and the once confident Cumnock team, who had thought they had the match won, were now on the ropes.

More sustained pressure saw the Clydebank forwards rumble across the line seven minutes later.

This time Don Ross was on hand to touch down and take the lead.

This also added the first bonus point for the year. With the conversion missed the score was now 22-20 and Clydebank were back in control but not finished.

Seven minutes later and the forwards were at it again as they pummelled the Cumnock defence.

After a series of rucks in the Cumnock five-yard area Don Ross crossed the line for his second try.

The conversion was missed and the score was now 27-20.

The Clydebank defence held strong and with the final whistle the comeback kings had prevailed over a youthful and inexperienced Cumnock team.

The second XV completed a hat-trick of wins by beating Cumnock 26-20 in another exciting match.

The second XV match was a more settled affair compared to last week, but the benefit of

several replacements gave the team a more confident

air.

Clydebank started the match with the slight slope advantage, but it took them until the 11th minute to start the scoring when Ronnie McKee broke through to touch down under the posts.

Next up was Paolo Camillo, who slithered through the middle of the Cumnock defence and ran in from 40 yards to touch down under the posts.

Jamie Boyd added two more tries and the accompanying conversions to seal the victory.

Alistair Smart added another conversion to complete the scoring for Clydebank and win the match 26-20.

The under-15 side were the only ones in action this weekend and faced Lenzie away.

The team lost against a good Lenzie squad by 37-7 but put in a good performance with a try from Calum Smith and a conversion from Jack Kirkwood.

Ryan Parker stood out with a fine performance in defence.

Training will continue at Whitecrook on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7pm for both Senior and under-17 players.

The S1, S2 and under-15 age groups will train on the same nights between 5.30pm and 7pm.

Anyone at primary or secondary school who would like to take up rugby should contact Gordon McCombe (07812 582775) or Michael Starkey (07792 154625) for details.

Clydebank are currently seeking club sponsors.

Anyone interested in supporting their local rugby club should email sponsor

ship@clydebankrfc.com for details.

Next Saturday the first XV are away to Strathendrick while the second XV travel to Paisley.

The under-17s will play Hamilton and the minis play Uddingston at home on the Sunday.

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