Looking to follow up their victory at Moffat with another positive result, Hyndland hosted Cumbernauld in a ‘home’ match at Lochinch. With a strong starting XV and a full set of able replacements, Hyndland entered the match confident of getting another win on the board.

The first half was a scrappy affair as errors and ill-discipline on both sides meant neither team really gained a foothold in the match. The home side might have found their rhythm disrupted by the withdrawal of Brown from the front row due to injury, as well as Matty Smith’s temporary substitution to have a head injury assessed.

As the half played out, Hyndland found themselves under pressure near their own line. Initially the defence held firm, repelling numerous Cumbernauld attacks. However, the home side's resistance was broken when Cumbernauld's full back burst onto the ball at pace to break through the defensive line for the try. The visitors converted for a 7-0 lead.

In a very close fought match, Hyndland had to make the most of the scoring opportunities that arose. Regularly winning penalties with a dominant scrummaging performance from the forwards, Tony Smith opted take the points on offer and got his side onto the scoresheet with 6 points from the boot. Cumbernauld also registered 2 penalties for an advantage of 13-6 as the second half wore on.

Hyndland were in the ascendency as the game neared its conclusion. Working the ball into the opposition 22, the home side had the ball close to the Cumbernauld goal line. Learning from last week’s mistakes, the team were much more clinical in converting the try scoring chance. The ball found its way wide to Grant who drove for the line. The centre was held up short, however his offload found Madigan in support who continued his fine start for the club with another try.

Tony Smith converted under the posts to tie the match at 13-13. As the game entered it’s final play, a remarkable passage of play ensued. Beginning with the Hyndland forwards defending a scrum inside their own 22 metre line, the pack came together to turn over the ball and win a penalty. Not content with a draw, the side played on and worked the ball into the opposition half where another infringement from Cumbernauld saw Hyndland awarded another penalty on the 10 metre line, just off centre.

All eyes were on captain Smith as he lined up the kick at goal to attempt to seal victory for his side. The ball sailed between the uprights to snatch his side a narrow win – was there ever any doubt?

Final score:
Hyndland RFC 16
Cumbernauld RFC 13

Hyndland recovered from a slow start this week to record a hard-fought and well-earned victory. The team built on all of the positives from last week's win at Moffat to deliver another team performance where every player and substitute did what was needed to get the job done.

Collectively the forwards ran riot in the scrum, and special mentions should go to Ward who showed exceptional workrate in second row with a typically tenacious and hard-hitting display. Needless to say though, the star of the show was Hyndland skipper Tony Smith who kept his composure to score the key penalties that kept his side in the match and finally sealed the victory. The moment his final kick cleared the posts will live long in the memory of all of those in attendence.

Hyndland will be hoping to continue their recent upturn in form when they travel into Renfrewshire for next week's away match with Birkmyre.