Cougar Cubs Under-12's were at home to Clayton last Sunday and Kirk McWhirter opened the scoring after five minutes with a well-taken close-in try from the play-the-ball.

Peter Gower kicked the conversion and then came Clayton's most powerful part of the match with some near scores but for some great tackling from Peter Gower and David Iliff. They couldn't keep them out though and two tries in eight minutes meant Cougar Cubs went in at the break 6-10 down.

Into the second half and things continued as before with the visitors putting two tries over in ten minutes for the Cougar Cubs to be 6-18 down. A massive hill to climb in ten minutes. But their 'never-say-die' attitude kicked in and that 'flying full-back' Keith Shackleton did it again with a well-taken try under the posts, converted by Kristian Stell.

With three minutes to go the Cubs were still going for it. This time Shackleton got the ball on his own twenty metre line and ran down the left wing. Usually that means another four points but great determination from the Clayton backs not only kept up but tackled him five metres short of the Clayton line.

A quick play the ball meant the visitors were still at sixes and sevens and acting-half James Sharples ran diagonally across to score just wide of the sticks. Two points short and this kick to level the match. Kristian Stell kept himself together well and calmly slotted the ball home right on full time. Final score: Cougar Cubs 18, Clayton 18.

Man of the Match went to Keith Shackleton for sheer determination and skill; Top Tackler was David Iliff - always outstanding defensively; Outstanding Efforts went to Peter Gower, Kirk McWhirter and James Sharples; and Most Improved Performance to Chris Spencer for his tackling, although Martin Shellabear also put in a good game.

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