BT Premiership

AYR 41

HERIOT's 17

AYR nullified the threat of Heriot’s last Saturday at Millbrae, dismantling the Edinburgh side in a comprehensive win in round seven of the BT Premiership.

The home side let loose in front of an enthusiastic crowd, scoring five tries and claiming a bonus point to move to third in the league table.

Winger Craig Gossman and fly-half Frazier Climo scored two tries each, with full-back Grant Anderson getting one. Scott Lyle – playing at outside centre in the place of the injured Danny McCluskey – converted all five and added two penalties.

City slickers Heriot’s, usually so full of confidence, were stunned. There was sympathy from the Ayr supporters as their winger John Rae was continually thwarted in attack and defence by opposite number Robbie Nairn, who is quickly becoming a Millbrae favourite with his thunderous play.

Every time he had the ball, he simply bashed Rae out of the way, as the Heriot’s man and his team-mates attempted and failed to tackle the giant winger.

It wasn’t just Nairn who was flattening the opposition. Inside centre Stafford McDowall, the eventual man of the match, was on devastating form with ball in hand, his breaks setting up at least two of the tries.

Captain Pete McCallum led with relish, and second rows Michael Badenhorst and Jonny Agnew were aggressive and tenacious.

Heriot’s got their points from a penalty try after Ayr illegally prevented them from grounding the ball, and a try scored by number eight Jack Turley. With Agnew sin-binned for a professional foul, the visitors stormed the Ayr line, full-back Ross Jones converting. Jones had kicked a penalty in the first half.

But Ayr had the upper hand at just about every opportunity. The scrum was dominant, even when a reshuffle late on in the game saw McDowall go to flanker.

Pat MacArthur – the Ayr assistant coach and Glasgow Warriors– put in an impressive display at hooker, working tirelessly at close quarters, and bringing a hard-headed, sensible approach when things didn’t quite go to plan.

It’s been quite a turn-around for Ayr, who just a few weeks ago looked lost against Glasgow Hawks and Melrose. Against Heriot’s they were organised, energetic and ruthless.

“It was good to play an expansive game on a big pitch,” said Ayr head coach Calum Forrester.

“We’ve built up momentum over the past few weeks, and on Saturday, the players took advantage of their opportunities and were great in counter attack.”

Meanwhile, the 2nd XV also had a five-try win against their Heriot’s counterparts in BT National Reserve 1. James Armstrong scored twice, with a try apiece for James Pinkterton, Johhny McCorkindale and Cam Reece. Man of the match Matt Davidson converted every one, and also kicked a penalty.

This week, the 1st XV are away to Hawick, who are languishing at the bottom of the BT Premiership table and will be all guns blazing against the visitors. The 2nd XV head to Edinburgh Accies.

Ayr Ladies and the Ayr-Wellington boys’ and girls’ teams had last weekend off. This Sunday, the ladies face the Hillhead-Jordanhill at Millbrae in the BT Premier League, and the youth conferences resume the week after.