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Broughton got back on
track with a win on the road at Cumnock in awful conditions which made
fast flowing rugby an innocent bystander.
A bystander at the
start of the match was Hooker Donald Pyper. The Broughton No.2
lived up to his billing as he trotted off to the loo with only a couple
of minutes left til kick-off!
This meant a pack
re-shuffle and the introduction of George Koo, one of the Posh School
Posse from Merchie!
Cumnock were keen to
grab their first back to back wins of the season, but it was Broughton
who took the early advantage after the referee awarded the first of
countless penalties during the match, this time for the eager home
forwards not staying on their feet at the ruck.
Mark Ward slotted the 35
metre kick with consummate ease and his kicking shoes were given a
further working out on the 10 minute mark with another 3 points from a
penalty after the home side were caught offside.
Not a lot can be said
about the next instantly forgettable 30 minutes apart from my pen
breaking, the notepad getting soaking wet as the sky opened and a
re-introduction to the park for Pooper Pyper on the half-hour.
Half-Time Cumnock 0 -
6 Broughton
The wet weather
didn't dampen the home side's enthusiasm, who languished in 2nd bottom
spot prior to the fixture and they got on the scoreboard within 5
minutes of the restart.
The referee, who I
have to be careful not to criticise just in-case anyone from the SRU may
read this, put in a performance akin to the weather - awful! His
interpretation of the high tackle which lead to the home side opening
their account was somewhat confusing from the touchline. Indeed,
his lack of clarification on any decision left both sets of players
somewhat baffled. However, a penalty it was and duly converted.
Stop and start rugby
is never pleasing on the eye. Add persistent rain and it bloody
crap (no, we are not going back to the pre-match issues!). One
Broughton player likened it to an 'American Football game with all the
breaks'.
A few dropped balls,
baffling decisions, lost possession - just some of the examples of what
the next 25 minutes had in store for the drookit crowd.
The match came to
life with 10 minutes to go. Broughton went walkies up the pitch
en-mass with a trademark rolling maul and set up a platform for Ward to
ship the ball to Melvin Hart, who's strong running drew in 2 defenders
to create space for Gareth 'Hamer Who?' Payne who took on
the winger to slide in for a try.
Ward's conversion
attempt was unlucky considering the underfoot conditions. At least
that will give him a crumb of comfort for missing....
However, Ward had
another attempt to make up for this with 3 minutes left on the clock
when penalty number 752 or whatever for the day was awarded for a
further infringement by the hosts.
So, 14-3 to the good
with just under 3 minutes to go, the points are safely in the bag.
Not so. Cumnock piled on the pressure, guided by their No.8 who
previously plied his trade a Kilmarnock, and they camped themselves in
the Broughton 22.
The match official
must have had a coupon on for 1 try apiece and he and Cumnock got their
wish with seconds left on the clock.
A penalty for offside
on the Broughton 5 metre line tight on the touchline was brought back no
fewer than 4 times until eventually a try was scored under the posts.
The additional 2 points were added but it was too little too late for
the plucky Cumnock side.
For Broughton, it was
a win away from home, perhaps not the 5 pointer they were looking for,
but a wins a win.
Next week it's the
Maiden Cup fixture against Cumbernauld at Wardie. This will allow
some fringe players and BATS guys to get a run. Training is on
Tuesday and Thursday as ever.
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