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Match Report Moffat V Cumbernauld

Published on 08 April 2008 at 13:19:00

 

 

 

Moffat v Cumbernauld

 

Moffat 13 Cumbernauld 17

 

  A Moffat side fighting for survival in the league fielded a much changed side for this crucial clash with the highly rated opposition from Cumbernauld.

 

  Having survived the rigours of the ordeal that is the Annual Coffee Morning, players and supporters alike assembled at The Holm to see the completion of this years home fixtures.

 

 A win would have secured a place in the division for next year, give or take a few technical issues and the ever present threat of restructuring. This was not to be however as the Rams went down narrowly in a spirited clash and have left themselves a mountain to climb at Loch Lomond next weekend.

 

  On a day which saw the return of winter the two sides put on a very exciting display in a game where shirt sleeves and anoraks alternated with the vagaries of the meteorological mayhem.

 

  It was always going to be a real test of the Rams nerve, spirit and stamina as the visitors played the first half advantage of the slope and the Chinook wind to perfection.

 

Countless times the Rams saw hard earned yards reversed by well placed kicks from hand or relinquished hard earned possession with poor kicking. Failure to ascertain the exact location of the touchline was to prove their downfall as the well coached visitors took a seventeen point lead into half time.

 

 

So bad was the weather at this stage that the players took the half-time oranges in the touchline while the spectators did an acceptable impression of a colony of Chinstraps to avoid the onset of hypothermia.

 

  A formidable task faced the Moffat troops for the second half but, under the ever more influential coaching of In Hobson, the task was very nearly accomplished.

 

  A converted try from Davy Scott and two penalties from the mighty hoof of Kevin Jack saw the gap close tantalisingly and if this form can be replicated next week then the Rams will have earned the right to stay up and give a better account of themselves in this division in the coming season.

 

  The home pack gave their all in a fierce encounter. The front row saw Clint Smith packing down in support of Scott Galloway partnered by Cammy Little. Kenny Carter and Jamie MacDowall did all that was asked of them in the power house while the back row of Tyler, Wennington and Polly Smith acquitted themselves well against a well drilled opponent.

 

  The Moffat cause was not helped by the sin-binning of Alan Tyler and the Home side need to try and keep fifteen players on the park at all times no matter what the provocation. A man sort virtually always translates into the concession of points.

 

 Subs for the day were Scott Borthwick and Craig Currie in the forward ranks while the newly coiffured Neil McGill buoyed the ranks of the backs.

 

 Alan Birdsall proved a great link between backs and forwards and provided Graham Gemmill with some superb passes before succumbing to a leg injury.

 

His replacement Callum Jardine did a sterling shift after moving in from the wing where the other flank was occupied by Michael Lockhart.

 

The centre pairing of Davy Scott and Gordon Dinwoodie worked well, predominantly in defence while Kevin Jack at full back produced his usual number of crunching tackles while also lending his weight to attack as required.

 

  This squad has come a long way this season and the spirit shown in this game gives a glimmer of what might be achieved if a few errors can be eradicated and a bit more luck comes their way.

 

 To a man this performance exemplified courage and tenacity and the Rams could have won this encounter in the latter stages but for that strange shaped ball!

 

  Next week at Loch Lomond will be a real test and the reward for a good performance should be survival and the chance to build on what has been a hard first season at this level.

 

  It is requested therefore that all players, selected or not, travel to lend weight to the effort and also as many supporters as possible make one last pilgrimage to help achieve the right result in one massive team effort.

 

  The final score of 13-17 was probably a fair result for the well drilled visitors so now the challenge is clear and a win is the only target for Saturday.

 

 Would all players please confirm availability to Ian Hobson as soon as possible? It is possible that a bus will be going to the match in which case maximum numbers travelling should be a real possibility. Again please check with Ian, Neil or Ron for the arrangements.