Match report: Cumbernauld 17 v 22 Birkmyre
Cumbernauld 17 v 22 Birkmyre
Arnold Clark West Division 2
Saturday, 28th September 2024
Birkmyre picked up their first away win on Saturday in what proved to be both a bruising and ill-tempered encounter at Cumbernauld. Birkmyre led 12-7 at the half and saw out a spirited Cumbernauld attack towards the end to win 22-17.
It didn’t take long for Birkmyre to take the lead. From a scrum on their own 22, skipper Ross Moglia chipped & chased his own kick to recover the ball just short of the halfway line. Quickly recycling the ball, Player of the Match Jamie Muir popped a pass to Lewis Higgins who was still well inside his own half.
The speedy full back broke a tackle and raced down the wing, selling a huge dummy pass to the opposition winger in the process. He ran in under the posts to score then slotted over the conversion as well.
Birkmyre doubled their try count on the 15th minute. From a scrum inside the Cumbernauld 22, they worked the ball across the pitch with the forwards gaining valuable territory. Moving the ball wide, Ali Peacock made crucial yards before slipping a pass out the back of his hand to Moglia, who ran in to score in the corner. The lead was shortened quicky however, with Cumbernauld scoring their only try of the half from a scrum following a penalty award to make it 7-12 following the conversion.
The remainder of the half was fairly even with play ebbing and flowing to both ends of the park, however neither side were able to gain an advantage. The penalty count was however rising on both sides as were tempers, not helped by the referee gradually losing his grip on the match.
Cumbernauld quicky drew level in the first minute of the second half. Having won a penalty from the kick off, they progressed down the pitch to score. Birkmyre, however, quickly replied only 6 minutes later. Debutant, Lucas Reid, had just come onto the field having only turned 18 two days prior. He collected a loose throw at the back of the lineout and charged into the home side’s 22. As he was tackled, he slipped the ball to Ali Peacock who was running in support who ran in at the corner but worked his way close to the post to assist the conversion.
Tempers shortly spilled over following a few phases of play. Cumbernauld initiated some “afters” on the ground following a tackle. This led to most of the on field players converging.
You could clearly see punches being swung from the home side however the referee failed to take any action. He did however remarkably yellow card Birkmyre’s Robbie Espie, on the 56th minute for persistent team penalties but missed a clear stamp on Owen Nicholas’s head a few minutes later which was caught on camera. Cumbernauld then capitalised on the player advantage to bring the scores to 17-19.
The final score took place in the 65th minute when Higgins slotted over a regulation penalty to stretch the lead. The final 15 minutes were then hard fought. Birkmyre were certainly out of favour with the referee as Cumbernauld were awarded a series of penalties late in the game.
However, their dogged defence held out against the odds to secure the win.
Photo Credit: With thanks to Fiona Wallace