Clydebank 1st XV travelled to Ayrshire for their final game of the season against a Cumnock side desperate to avoid relegation, depleted by several call offs and with young debutants Sean Smith and Lloyd McCord making their senior debuts hoping to impress, came away with a 20-20 draw that summed up Clydebanks season of what could have been.

Territory was dominatated in the first 15 minutes by Clydebank taking advantage of yards gained by runners off stand off Starkey and by the forwards with powerful mauls off lineout ball. The maul in particular was a useful weapon as ’Bank gained yards almost at will without turning the pressure into points.

It wasnt until the 24th minute that Clydebank would score their first try with Connor Sloss in control to touch over for the first try of the match with the conversion pulled wide from Starkey.

Despite the earlier dominance Cumnock came straight back into the game, gaining yards into the Clydebank 22 and were awarded a scrum 10 metres out. No. 8 Reid picked and drove almost unchallenged to equal the scores as the conversion was missed.

The first half continued with Clydebank utilising the forward dominance through the set piece, with the maul working well, and Cumonocks backs exploiting space in the away defence. Smith made daring runs from the wing and Bell made usefull yards in the midfield. Cumonock used their backs to attack and made several forays into Clydebank territory but both defences held firm and the half finished even.

The second half became an almost mirror image of the first, with the Clydebank forwards dominating the early exchanges and the Cumnock backs looking dangerous. Cumnock scored from a penalty after some over eagerness from the forwards to win the ball at a ruck to take a 3 point lead. Young hooker McCord, gaining in confidence in his first start for the 1st XV, again hit his jumper at the lineout and provided the platform for another drive that Cumnock tried to bring down illegally, resulting in a penalty attempt from in front of the posts on the 22 that Starkey converted.

Cumnock regained posession from the kick off and made good ground into the Clydebank 22. The ball was shipped wide and after some brave defending the line was breached and Cumnock crossed for their 2nd try. The conversion was missed.

Clydebank came right back into the match with control by the forwards, with good yards gained by Bell, Smith, McIntosh and a scintillating break made by second row Sloss, breaking the gainline like a gazelle. However support was in short supply and by forcing the pass Clydebank surrendered posession on several occasions. That was until a foray deep into Cumnock territory resulted in a quick tap penalty for Derek Nolan who burrowed over for a try from close range. The conversion was narrowly wide by Starkey and the scores remained level.

Clydebank had been held up several times over the line during the game from driving mauls from their dominant lineout. However they regained the lead as they powered over, this time with flanker Jamie Boyd touching down from linout catch and drive. Starkey reinfored the advantage, converting the try and giving Clydebak a 7 point lead going into the final 3 mintues.

Despite regaining posession from the kick off, Clydebank kicked to touch and from the resultant long throw in, Cumnock made ground from their inside centre on the left hand side of the field. Good passing and failure to make tackles resulted in a Cumnock try in the corner for hooker Hunter. A stramash developed between both teams and the referee took control and calmed the situation down. The conversion from the touchline by the young Cumnock stand off split the posts and levelled the scores as the final whistle sounded. Cumnock were as jubilant as Clydebank were despondant. The Red and Blacks display was enough to earn the win but bad decision making and forcing the final pass cost them in the end. Cumnock deserve praise for the way they stuck in and attacked for the full 80 minutes.

Overall the season has been mixed for Clydebank. Games could have been won but for poor decision making and execution at times despite some fantastic skill. The club is now seeing the emergence of young talent with an already established group of young players like Sloss, Cuthbert, Shearer, Sloss and McLintock, beside stalwarts like Bell, McCombe, Moffat, Baxter amongst others being joined by a new host of names like Valllance-Nairn, Smith, McCord from the under 18 ranks and developing from a strong 2nd XV who finished mid table in a strong league. With a flourishing youth section from primary 2 upward to an Under 16 team the future is bright for Clydebank Rugby Club.

The final fixture of the year is 2nd XV at home to Hamilton on 23rd April, followed by the annual tour to Preston on 6th June and annual Old Crocks match on 21st May.