Stewartry are through to the end of season promotion play-offs after a win at nearest rivals Cumnock on Saturday.
The 35-26 success secured the runners-up slot in Tennent’s West Division One and earns them a shot at making their way into the National Leagues.
Cumnock took an early lead on the all weather surface, winning an early scrum at the posts, taking possession and going over for the opening try, which was converted, after just four minutes.
Eight minutes and Stewartry’s Hogg and M McCulloch won a penalty which was kicked to the corner.
Another quickly followed and A Picken, Hogg, S McCulloch and J Picken took play into the Cumnock 22. Two high tackles in two minutes by Cumnock players soon followed with Stewartry’s Armstrong going off with a head injury. Replacement Scott Milligan replaced him and was soon in the action.
After 14 minutes, Stewartry had another penalty to touch before a break from Nicholson, Mathias, McCulloch, Hogg and Spence. The five passes took Yates to the line, finishing in another a five metre penalty for another high tackle.
After 21 minutes, a quick ball saw Mathias set Porteous in for the Blacks’ opening score. Captain John Picken added the first of five conversions.
Two minutes later Stewartry were back down the wing from a lineout ball won by Lindsay to Milligan, Hogg, Armstrong, Hogg again and Nicholson before Angus Lindsay crossed between the posts.
John Picken again added the conversion.
Stewartry continued to find the gaps in the Cumnock defence with Yates, in his 100th game, again barging his way through.
He was caught just short of the line with Angus Lindsay scoring his second try, John Picken again adding the points.
An Andrew Picken tackle stopped a Cumnock scoring chance but the multi surface was taking its toll with a number of injuries and the game becoming a bit stop-start.
Minutes before half-time Cumnock won another turn over to take the ball and score between the posts, the conversion giving a half-time score of 21-14.
At the restart Carson came on for the injured Hogg and six minutes in the ref awarded another penalty against Cumnock, producing the yellow card. Another followed later in the game as the Cumnock forwards started to throw punches.
Scott Milligan won a lose ball in the Stewartry half and took off down the touch line, out-running three defenders – and even losing a boot – to score the vital bonus point fourth try for the league play-off spot, John Picken again converting.
With the pressure off and the bonus point won, it was time for fresh legs and the bench was emptied to see the game out.
John Picken continued to kick long to advantage with Angus Lindsay scoring try number five and giving Picken his 100 per cent conversion record for the day.
More poor sportsmanship from Cumnock saw a yellow card for a punch thrown and making contact, drawing blood from the face of a Stewartry player.
Stewartry had the victory points in the bag, with Cumnock scoring two late tries and hitting the points with one conversion.
Stewartry squad: M McCulloch, B Spence, A Mathias, R Porteous, D Maxwell, S McCulloch, A Lindsay, S Hogg, A Nicholson, D Armstrong, M Yates, T J McCarney, R Austin, A Picken, J Picken(c), F Barne, I McMorran, H Carson, S Milligan.
