Strathaven played host to two short games with a mixed S1/S2 team against a similarly configured Cumnock side on a chilly November afternoon. The Strathaven boys carried on where they had left off against Cumnock at the tail end of last season with two convincing wins against a well disciplined and very capable Cumnock side. This time it was the Strathaven forward pack that produced all the fireworks on the eve of bonfire night. And what a solid and impressive display it was too.

Match 1 – Strathaven 15 V’s Cumnock 0 (5 tries to nil)
Strathaven started strongly gaining good ground and possession early. The forward eight were clearly up for this game and managed to retain possession well and provide a solid platform from which the backs could attack from. With strong rucking and mauling from Harry Dunsmore, Robbie Young and Josh Morris in particular, who had a superb display at hooker; it was not long before the backs turned the territorial advantage into points. James Westland (1) darted up the blind side of a scrum unopposed to score. S1 Ryan Carlin (1), slotting in at scrum-half, also benefited from the forwards domination and picked up and scorched his was through two tackles to touchdown. The backs too made their mark with some powerful running from Kyle Dixon (1) and Gregor Lamb. It was hugely encouraging for all to see Gregor return to the field so quickly and effectively after fracturing his ankle. Kyle continued his awesome ‘score every game’ tradition with a trade mark run and touchdown. With the on-fire forwards pushing to within 5 meters, the marauding Sam Park (1) at flank bludgeoned his way through desperate defence to also chalk up 3 points. The overhaul was completed by a superb score from another S1, Callum Stewart (1) with a magnificent run and score in the corner.

Match 2 – Strathaven 14 V’s Cumnock 3 (4 tries & 1 conversion to 1 try)
Despite the convincing first win, it was the visitors who applied the early pressure and caught the home team napping with an early score from a dropped ball. However, rather than let their heads go down, the Strathaven front eight once again stood up to the challenge and set about regaining previous control and possession. Their tenacity and courage were rewarded with a superb forward move that saw the ball break out to the unstoppable Taylor Henderson (1) who simply removed defenders that dared to consider tackling him and scored.
The hugely impressive Mitchell Young (1) was a constant thorn in the Cumnock side and his endeavour was rewarded with a superb run and score. Another very impressive S1 performance came from Ruaridh McCall (1) who read the game superbly with his text-book supporting runs. It was enviable that his quality of running would result in a score and so it was when he finished off another powerful forward attack this time involving Alexander Smith and Lewis Smith. Yet another phase of forward pressure took the boys to a meter short. When the referee penalised the visitors for not releasing, it was the razor sharp Craig Thompson (1) who caught everyone napping and darted over to complete the try count.

An excellent team effort with the S1 boys impressively stepping up a level to combine seamlessly with their older team mates. However, this time it was the ‘Men of the Match’ Strathaven forwards who made the difference with a controlling performance that stifled any potential attack and provided phase after phase of quality ball for the backs. Well done boys!!