Match Report: Birkmyre 27 – 14 Cumbernauld

Birkmyre 27 – 14 Cumbernauld
Arnold Clark West Division 2
Saturday, 25th January 2025 – KO 2pm

Birkmyre got back to winning ways with a hard-fought victory against Cumbernauld by 27 points to 14.

From 17 nil up at the half, they saw the game out with a second half try & penalty despite resistance from the visitors.

The day did not start well for the Kilmacolm side. Four players from the starting XV called off. Three were trapped away from home due to the storms and one was called into work for a similar reason. Despite the challenges, replacements were drafted in and the squad reshuffled.

Birkmyre couldn’t have got off to a better start crossing the whitewash in a little over a minute. From a clearance kick. They quickly worked the ball back up the pitch. A great slip pass from stand in 10, Adam Hannah, on the 22 to flanker Ali Peacock saw him run in to open the scoring from 15m out. Hannah slotted over the conversion.

Birkmyre extended their lead to 12 points 10 minutes later. From a clearance kick, the Cumbernauld full back spilt the ball which was collected by Hannah. He popped a pass to Robbie Espie who gained a further 20m before being tackled. With pressure mounting and the defence in disarray, skipper Ross Moglia went over from 7m out.

The final try of the first period went to prop James Halpin. Lewis Higgins recovered a clearance kick then Paul Carruth took the ball well into opposition territory. ‘Halps’ then cut a great line down the side of a ruck, having received the ball from Higgins, to run in from 25m out.

Birkmyre started the second half sluggishly and paid the price for some poor play allowing Cumbernauld to score their first try of the match from a 5m scrum. A no 8 “pick & go” setting up the score off the next phase.

For the next 20 minutes, the game was fairly evenly matched. However, on the 65th minute, Birkmyre extended their lead. From a scrum wide left, they worked the ball across the pitch. Ross Moglia then kicked a grubber through from 22m out and Hannah beat the defender by inches to land on the loose ball in the try area. Hannah then extended the lead further 5 minutes later with a penalty from close on 40m out.

Cumbernauld did not give up and a minute from full time they were rewarded with a further try, again from a 5m scrum. Having won a penalty from the set piece, they worked the ball left and eventually powered over for a converted score.

The victory consolidates Birkmyre’s 5th place in the league by 5 points, and a far superior points difference over Uddingston in 6th place. With a break now due to international matches, their next fixture is on 15th Feb at home to Lomond Helensburgh.

Thank you to Fiona Wallace for photographs from Saturday’s match.

Results for Saturday 25th January 2025 in Division Two:

Birkmyre 27 – 14 Cumbernauld
Carrick 38 – 10 Irvine (this match played at Irvine)
Uddingston vs Loch Lomond / Helensburgh was postponed
Waysiders/Drumpellier vs Clydebank RFC was postponed due to insufficient players away
Wigtownshire vs Strathendrick was postponed due to transport issues

Division Two league table: