BT Cup Semi-Final

AYR 28

GLASGOW HAWKS 10

by Elena Hogarth

IT wasn’t quite a stroll in the park for Ayr in their BT Cup semi-final against Glasgow Hawks at Millbrae last Saturday, but their 28-10 win was a bit easier than anticipated.

There is always an edge to Ayr-Hawks games; as the only two top teams in the west (they could soon be joined by Marr in the BT Premiership) who have swapped players and coaches over recent years, they know each other inside out.

Throw in a sudden announcement the night before the match that Hawks’ star back rower Tommy Spinks would be joining Ayr next season, and there was a feeling there would be fireworks.

If anything, the match turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Ayr were in control from the off and Hawks couldn’t get a grip on the game at any point. They may have been annoyed at Spinks jumping ship, but they failed to channel it.

Man-of the-match Frazier Climo pulled the strings perfectly for Ayr, and captain Pete McCallum steered his pack with aplomb.

Winger Danny McCluskey, who has quietly and steadily turned into a much-valued player, opened the scores after deftly taking a brilliantly weighted cross-field kick from Climo.

Climo had a good day with the boot – both from hand and place-kicking – and struck the conversion from the touchline with accuracy. He added three penalties and another conversion in the match.

Ayr dominated the set-pieces, lock Scott Sutherland on terrific poaching form at the line-out, so much so that he was twice pulled down in the air by a Hawks hand, the second time by Spinks, who ended up in the sin bin.

Try as they might, those big bulky Hawks couldn’t withstand the battering they were getting at their line, and some swift passing by centre Archie Russell saw full-back Grant Anderson get over the whitewash.

Hawks didn’t get on the scoreboard until the start of the second half, when stand-off Josh Henderson kicked a penalty.

They were unable to build on any of the territory and possession they had fought so hard to claim, and they would have been feeling bruised after some flattening tackles by Ayr’s little and large, winger Craig Gossman and lock Craig Stevenson (a last-minute replacement for an unwell Robert McAlpine).

Nearly a foot smaller and almost five stone lighter than Stevenson, Gossman put on another tremendous defensive show. Younger brother Kerr – Hawks’ best player on the day – was on the receiving end more than once.

Ayr’s final score came from Climo after a wonderful break through midfield by McCluskey.

Hawks did get their score but it was a penalty try after Ayr replacement hooker David Young’s professional foul. Henderson converted to get Hawks to double figures.

Even with a man-advantage, Hawks couldn’t get anywhere and the game trickled to an end.

Although Ayr were undoubtedly happy to reach the BT Cup final at BT Murrayfield for the first time since 2013, there were no wild celebrations, but head coach Calum Forrester was pleased with his players’ efforts.

“It was a very disciplined performance. In the first half, everything went our way because we were playing in the right areas of the pitch. But we now have to wipe the state clean for another match with Hawks," he said.

All thoughts of the final at the national stadium against Melrose on Saturday April 22 will be set aside for now as Ayr once against face Glasgow Hawks this Saturday at Millbrae in the BT Premiership play-off semi-finals.

AYR Ladies’ season was brought to an end by a 10-47 defeat by RHC Cougars in the Sarah Beaney Cup quarter-finals. However, it’s been a great year for the Millbrae women, as they made themselves at home in the BT Premier League, won Premier League B and the Development Cup Pool 1, making the semi-finals of the latter competition.

Ayr-Wellington boys have had a good season too, and the U18s and U16s signed off with wins in their respective West Regional Cups. The former beat Hamilton 37-17 and the latter beat GHA 38-17 in two high-quality matches that highlight just how much talent is waiting in the wings in the club game.