SUNDAY saw Ardrossan Accies Minis and Micros head down to Cumnock RFC for an away fixture against the best team in Ayrshire.

Once again it was a pleasure to watch rugby in the dry, sunny conditions, with the kids revelling in the good weather.

Cumnock RFC were a well-drilled, well-coached cub from P1 to P7 and drew the Accies into playing at a higher standard that any point in the season.

Victories for the Ardrossan outfit were scarce, but the performances were top notch.

P1/2 played two matches against their hosts and delighted their coaches and parents by drawing both. Lachlan McNicholl and Logan Gallacher were at the heart of the youngster’s brave effort, netting both boys the star of the day award.

The P3 recruits also played two matches and also earned great respect with two draws. Ryan McCulley and the outstanding Ross Ferguson were industrious in attack and solid in defence earning the star of the day awards.

P4 youngsters enjoyed a fast-paced pair of matches and were beaten well in the first thanks to Cumnock’s fast and skilful play. However, the boys and girls rallied for the second game and pushed their hosts all the way to the final whistle, only losing narrowly thanks to their star performers – the speedy Marcel Emmery and the brave tackling Keiran Welsh.

P5 players served up a typically abrasive Accies v Cumnock encounter. After starting slowly they lost the first match by a few tries but found their form in the second and produced a gritty, committed performance to win by two tries. Calum Davis ran his legs off in attack whilst Logan Dick emptied his tanks in a non-stop performance. Both boys deservedly won stars of the day.

The P6 rugby aces faced a physically dominant and well coached Cumnock who ran in several tries to win the game. That didn’t stop Lochay Forbes from fizzing around the pitch to earn star of the day alongside new recruit Dean Andrews who enjoyed the close quarters combat on the day.

P7 pupils also faced a strong team and fought tooth and nail to match their opposition to come within a few tries of drawing even. However, the home team managed to hold onto their lead. The powerful figures of Mark Prout and Daniel O’Reilly led the charge for the Accies and were deserving recipients of the star of the day awards.