Press Report: Wigtownshire RFC vs Cumbernauld - Arnold Clark's West Regional League 2

Venue: Wigtownshire RFC
Conditions: Wintery with driving hailstones, strong winds blowing directly down Loch Ryan
Pitch: Wet from early morning rain
Final Score: Wigtownshire 5 – 0 Cumbernauld

In the latest round of the Arnold Clark's West Regional League 2, Wigtownshire RFC emerged victorious in a gritty encounter against Cumbernauld, battling harsh wintery conditions and strong winds. Wigtownshire, who have now won 6 of their last 7 games, made five changes to their starting lineup, including the much-anticipated return of Davy Adams in the centre following a long-term injury. The squad also welcomed the return of club captain Jason McKie and saw Owen Kelly make his first start in the pack.

First Half:

The match began under a torrent of hailstones as both teams struggled to adapt to the severe weather. Cumbernauld came close to scoring in the 9th minute, being held up over the try line thanks to Wigtownshire's solid defence.

Five minutes later, Wigtownshire capitalised on the gale-force winds. Cumbernauld's clearance kick from their 22 was returned by full-back Neil Forsyth, who, after a well-secured bouncing ball from Samuel McAuley, darted into the corner to score the opening try. Blair Forsyth's conversion narrowly missed due to the swirling winds, leaving the score at 5-0.

The rest of the first half was a stalemate, with both sides unable to gain clear dominance in the middle of the pitch. Wigtownshire may have been left to rue their missed opportunities to better use the wind advantage.

Second Half:

As the wind intensified, Wigtownshire made key substitutions, with Jason McKie and Jamie Farquhar coming on to bring experience to the side. However, the game took a turn in the 50th minute when both teams were reduced to 14 men, as the ref showed Robbie Forsyth a red card for foul play, and a Cumbernauld forward was also sent off for retaliation.

Wigtownshire's situation worsened when Jason McKie was sent off with a red card for making contact with the head whilst tackling on the 60th minute, reducing them to 13 players. Despite being camped in their 22 for much of the remainder of the game, Wigtownshire’s youthful pack, with an average age of just 20, showed resilience in the face of intense pressure from Cumbernauld. The visitors, in hindsight, may regret not opting for penalty kicks when they had the opportunity.

Despite the challenges, Wigtownshire held on to secure a hard-fought 5-0 victory.

Man of the Match:

Owen Kelly was named Leswalt Village Store's Man of the Match for his outstanding work rate and control in his first senior start. His determination helped Wigtownshire stand firm in defence throughout the game.

Coach's Comments:

Coach John Dalrymple expressed his pride in the team's performance, stating, "I’m very proud of the boys after a gritty performance in very challenging conditions. It was a real character-building display from the team, to be able to dig in and grind out the result whilst down to 13 men."

Next Fixture:

Wigtownshire will travel north next Saturday to face Loch Lomond/Helensburgh, looking to settle the team after recent changes and continue their winning momentum.

League Table: Arnold Clark's West Regional League 2 (Top Teams)

Wigtownshire sits comfortably near the top of the table, while Cumbernauld continues to struggle, with only one win to their name.

Wigtownshire Team Line-up:

N. Forsyth, J. Dalrymple, D. Adams, S. Forsyth, S. McAuley, B. Forsyth, F. Gwynne, I. Allan, C. Keith, M. Pirrie, J. McGarvie, O. Kelly, A. McClymont, R. Forsyth, K. Smith
Impact players: J. McKie, J. Farquhar, B. Sharples