Cumbernauld prove too strong for Birkmyre in league opener

Cumbernauld 45 – 14 Birkmyre 

Venue: Cumbernauld Rugby Club
Date: Saturday, 23rd August 2025
Kick-off: 1:30pm
Arnold Clark West Region League Division 2 (Men’s)

Birkmyre crashed to defeat in their opening league match, going down 45–14 to a much-improved Cumbernauld side. The Kilmacolm team struggled to replicate the form of last season, which had seen them beat the home side in both fixtures.

Despite the scoreline, Birkmyre began promisingly, driving dangerously up the pitch before conceding a penalty. They should have had the first score on 10 minutes when prop Scott Little carried the ball aggressively over the line from 5m out, only to be adjudged not to have touched down. To add insult to injury, a high tackle in the act of scoring was missed, which would likely have resulted in a penalty try and yellow card.

Minutes later, Cumbernauld took the lead while Birkmyre were down to 14 men after Ross Moglia was sin-binned for a high tackle. From the resulting penalty, the home side worked the ball down the pitch and scored in the corner.

For the next 20 minutes the game remained even, with neither side gaining the upper hand. David Cruickshank then had the chance to cut the deficit with a penalty, but his kick slid wide. Soon after, while Birkmyre were attacking in the Cumbernauld half, Cruickshank attempted a long pass to cut out defenders. Unfortunately, the ball was intercepted at full stretch by the opposition winger, who raced 60m to score.

Birkmyre then conceded two further quick tries before half-time. The first came directly from the restart when Cumbernauld collected deep in their 22 and, after some missed tackles, surged into opposition territory before moving the ball wide to finish. The second came just before the break when the home pack mauled the ball over from a lineout.

Although Birkmyre trailed 24–0 at the break, they still felt in the contest. However, as the second half progressed they conceded again in the 56th minute. Despite Cumbernauld being reduced to 14 men after a yellow card, Birkmyre leaked another try in the 74th minute.

The visitors did find some late reward. Ross Adam crossed first, cutting a strong line from a ruck to burst through a tiring defence and score from 20m. Cumbernauld replied with their final try in the 78th minute before Alasdair Peacock touched down stylishly in the corner in the dying seconds. Cruickshank converted both Birkmyre tries.

Birkmyre will now look to turn their fortunes around at home this Saturday against newly promoted Mid Argyll, who opened their campaign with victory over Waysiders. Final Score: Cumbernauld 45–14 Birkmyre

Scorers: Tries:- R Adam, A Peacock; Conversions:- D Cruickshank (2)

Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace

Photo: Scott Little being high tackled just before the disallowed try
Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace

Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace

Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace

Photo Credit: Fiona Wallace

Cumbernauld RFC Line-up

• 1. Ian Hepburn

• 2. Conall Crawford

• 3. Andrew McLaren

• 4. Steven Starmore

• 5. Grant Clark

• 6. Daniel Inverarity

• 7. Logan Scott (VC)

• 8. Connor Turton (C)

• 9. Aedan Inverarity

• 10. Ru Limbert

• 11. Andrew Agyako

• 12. Ru Clark

• 13. Simon Smith

• 14. Zak Davies

• 15. Andrew Thomson

Substitutes (used): Craig Simpson, Jordan Reid, Daniel Prinn, Jason Goldie, Hayden Smith, Paul Sweeney, Christopher Higgins

Birkmyre RFC Line-up

• 1. Ross Adam – Try (76’)

• 2. Alexander Glass

• 3. Scott Little

• 4. Lee Rodger

• 5. Owen Nicholas

• 6. Robbie Espie (C)

• 7. Archie Hopley

• 8. Gordon Stein

• 9. Lewis Higgins

• 10. David Cruickshank – 2 Conversions (77’, 80’), missed 1 penalty (31’)

• 11. Alex McKay

• 12. Cameron Marr

• 13. Finlay Rayner

• 14. Chris Vize

• 15. Ross Moglia – Yellow card (11’)

Substitutes (used): Alasdair Peacock – Try (79’)

Match Events

• 11’ – Yellow card: Ross Moglia (Birkmyre)

• 12’ – Try Cumbernauld (5–0)

• 13’ – Missed conversion (Cumbernauld)

• 31’ – Missed penalty: David Cruickshank (Birkmyre)

• 38’ – Try Cumbernauld (10–0), missed conversion

• 39’ – Try Cumbernauld (15–0), conversion good (17–0)

• 40’ – Try Cumbernauld (22–0), conversion good (24–0)

• 55’ – Try Cumbernauld (29–0), conversion good (31–0)

• 61’ – Yellow card: Cumbernauld

• 74’ – Try Cumbernauld (36–0), conversion good (38–0)

• 76’ – Try: Ross Adam (Birkmyre) (38–5), conversion David Cruickshank (38–7)

• 77’ – Try Cumbernauld (43–7), conversion good (45–7)

• 79’ – Try: Alasdair Peacock (Birkmyre) (45–12), conversion David Cruickshank (45–14)

• FT: Cumbernauld RFC 45–14 Birkmyre RFC

Full results from Saturday 23 August 2025:

• Bishopton RFC 17–41 Cambuslang RFC

• Cumbernauld RFC 45–14 Birkmyre RFC

• Irvine RFC 53–19 Uddingston RFC

• Lochaber RFC 17–19 Wigtownshire RFC

• Mid Argyll RFC 28–17 Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC

Next fixtures playing on Saturday 30 August 2025:

• Birkmyre RFC vs Mid Argyll RFC – 2:45 PM

• Cambuslang RFC vs Lochaber RFC – 3:00 PM

• Uddingston RFC vs Bishopton RFC – 3:00 PM

• Waysiders/Drumpellier RFC vs Irvine RFC – 3:00 PM

• Wigtownshire RFC vs Cumbernauld RFC – 3:00 PM

Table: As at 26/08/25