AYR Ladies overcame heavy rain, two yellow cards and the loss of one of their star players to upset the odds on Sunday and beat a team from the league above, Melrose Ladies, 24-18 in the quarter-finals of the Sarah Beaney Cup, writes Elena Hogarth.

Delayed from earlier in the month due to the poor weather, it had to be switched to the all-weather pitch at Marr College, and with the playing fields in demand all weekend, the ladies didn’t kick off until late afternoon, the floodlights blazing in the constant downpour.

It seemed the delays and switches and terrible conditions discombobulated the visitors from the Greenyards, as the BT Premiership heavyweights were rattled by their rivals from BT National 1.

They were hitting the ball at terrific pace but unable to get anywhere, even with the Ayrshire side giving away several penalties throughout the match.

The ladies in pink and black showed patience and composure for the entire 80 minutes, with a tremendous defensive effort and a much-improved display at the set-pieces. They scored four hard-fought tries, with stand-off Catherine Shennan converting two.

The first score came from centre Kelsey Swift, who sprang over the line after initial forays by flanker Rachael Mulholland and full-back Samantha Morrison.

Melrose struck back with a drop goal before Ayr hooker Lisa Croniken was sin-binned for straying offside. Her loss was felt and Melrose took advantage to grab a converted try.

Scotland international Emily Irving, playing at scrum-half for Ayr, streaked away for a much-needed try before half-time, and she scored another in the second half before being carried off the pitch with an ankle injury.

Number eight Lynda Morgan powered over for their final try, but, with Ayr captain Laura Turner yellow-carded for a professional foul, Melrose were clawing their way back into the match with a penalty and an unconverted try.

The long stoppage as the talented Irving’s injury was assessed (an ambulance was called) didn’t seem to bother her team-mates and again it was the visitors who looked unsure. They had a decent amount of possession in the closing minutes but Ayr trapped them in their own half before the whistle was blown to send the ladies from Millbrae into the semi-finals of the national cup.

Ayr Ladies head coach Stuart Fenwick was delighted with the result and his charges’ performance and said: "The players’ commitment and desire were outstanding, and the whole coaching team couldn’t be prouder of all of them.”

Meanwhile, the women weren’t the only pink and black team to triumph at Marr College, as the U18 boys also beat a team from the Greenyards on Saturday.

Coached also by Fenwick, their 10-7 victory over Melrose Wasps saw them reach the final of the National Youth Cup.

Ayr U16 boys will hope to join them there as they head to Boroughmuir this Sunday to try and secure their place in the cup final of their age group.

It’s not just the men’s 1st XV vying for silverware these days.

The whole of Ayr RFC is living by its player motto: “One team, one dream.”