The Numbers Game
Published 13 Oct 2010 09:30
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Ayr 38 West 17 By Ron Evans
It has been quite a week for numbers.
First that nice Mr Osborne showed what a dab hand he is at arithmetic.
Then Craig Levein declared that 6-4 was the system to save Scotland until Roman Hubnik popped up in the 70th minute in Prague to rain on the Scots Euro 2012 Qualifying parade.
Not quite as headline catching but significant nevertheless was the number revealed by Ayr coach Kenny Murray after Saturdays 38-17 win over West that, when Murray Beckwith came off the bench to make his debut for the top side, he was the 34th player to have played for the side in the eight matches so far in Premier 1.
That is seven more than at the same time last season and almost two teams with a couple of subs thrown in.
The problem this season is that anyone dropping to the bench would probably pull a hamstring in the process thus joining the ranks of the walking-or hirpling-wounded.
It is all the more remarkable therefore that Ayr are three points clear at the top of Premier 1 with three games left before the league splits going into November.
West pitched up at Millbrae with the express intention of knocking Ayr off that spot and in doing so haul themselves out the bottom four destined for the promotion/relegation play-offs.
They didn’t manage it against an Ayr side who outmuscled them in the set piece and took some of the chances which they created to run in six tries although when Ayr did ignore the pace of the west backs, they paid the price-twice.
For full report and pictures from Millbrae make sure you get this week's paper
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