Rugby: Paxton at the double as Cougars beat Glens

Nov 23 2012 by Lizzie Smith, Kilmarnock Standard

Allan Glens 12 Kilmarnock/Cumnock Cougars 22 Under-16s

Kilmarnock/Cumnock Cougars beat Allan Glens 22-12 in their third game on the road on Sunday.

The four points takes them close to the top of the West Under-16s North Division Two.

In the opening quarter, the Cougars made things difficult for themselvesby giving the ball back to their opponents.

Only stout defending kept Glens off the score sheet.

Some good passages of play eventually sawCougars work their wayup field for ever-alert scrum-half Aidan Kerr to dart underneath the posts on 15 minutes.

Ben Stewart added the extra two points.

On 26 minutes,Gregor Paxton dotted down in the corner afterbreaking through a number of tackles.

Strong defending from Glens kept the scoreline 12-0 until the break.

In the second half, good work from Andy Harkiss and Callum Bark sawCougars take control of the rucks and Neil Kerr and Scott Faulds securedgood ball in the line-outs, with Robbie McLaren throwing well.

A good break on the left wing saw Gavin Miller dive over on 47 minutes to stretch the lead to17 points.

Two minutes later, a quick break saw Glens score under the postsand, with the conversion, closed the gap to 10 points.

Fine tackling fromJack Reilly, Bradley Smith and Gavin Wight kept Glens at bay.

One tackle saw Gregor Aitken drive his opposite number a good 15m back up the park. From a resultant ruck, Paxton raced through to score.

Glens managed afurther try at the end of the match.

Jamie Lorimer made a good debut for the Cougars who face Argyll at home this Sunday.

Cougars: McEwan, R McLaren, Harkiss, A McLaren, Faulds, B Smith, N Kerr, Bark, A Kerr,Stewart, Wight, Paxton, Aitken, D Smith, Reilly. Subs (all used): Bowditch, McCulloch, Barr, Hunter, Miller, Elliott, Robson, Lorimer.