BT Premiership

MELROSE 35

AYR 24

by Elena Hogarth

AYR's defensive errors cost them at the Greenyards, as Melrose’s marauding backs led their team to a 35-24 victory in the BT Premiership.

The hosts ran in four tries to the visitors’ two, but Ayr still lead the BT Premiership with an albeit narrowed margin of five points.

Injuries had disrupted Ayr’s preparations and they went into the match without second rows Robert McAlpine and Scott Sutherland, flanker Will Bordill and winger Haddon McPherson, and lost stand-off Frazier Climo just before half-time to an eye injury.

There was some good news for the Millbrae men, with winger Kerr Gossman starting after yet another season plagued by injuries, and lock Callum Templeton overcoming a long-term ankle problem to take to the field as a second-half substitute.

Ayr’s defensive problems were clear from the off, when Melrose full-back Fraser Thomson ran over unopposed for a try with just 45 seconds on the clock. Winger Sam Pecqueur added the other first-half try, shrugging off three Ayr defenders in the process.

A conversion and two penalties by Joe Helps racked up the points for the hosts and, before he had to leave the pitch, Climo knocked three penalties of his own over the crossbar to keep Ayr in touch.

The visitors were clinging on by the skin of their teeth at the start of the second half. Melrose centre Andrew Nagle was nearly in for a try but a forward pass put an end to it.

Captain Ross Curle took over from Climo at stand-off and, after roaring instructions to his troops, began to pull the strings. It was number eight Pete McCallum – marked out of the game in the first half by a Melrose defence all too aware of his dangerous running from the back of the scrum – who got Ayr into the opposition twenty-two after a perfect pass from scrum-half David Armstrong.

Second row Andrew Dunlop carried on the move and kept the ball in play for young hooker Lewis Anderson to scoop it up and go over the line. Curle’s touchline conversion got Ayr within two points.

Games between these two teams are always close-run, and moments after Anderson’s try, Melrose replied through Pecqueur before Ayr full-back Grant Anderson charged off up the wing for another.

Helps and Curle exchanged penalties but just as it looked like Ayr might get their nose in front, McCallum was yellow-carded and things went downhill for the visitors. Melrose flanker Grant Runciman crashed over to put the final nail in the coffin.

‘We’re very disappointed,," said Ayr head coach Calum Forrester. after the match.

"Defensive errors cost us, as did indiscipline, which gave Melrose a good amount of possession.’

It’s not exactly back to the drawing board for Ayr, but they’ll have some issues to address before they welcome ninth-placed Gala to Millbrae this Saturday.

The Netherdale team will come into the match with some confidence after a good victory against Glasgow Hawks and Ayr will not underestimate the mighty maroons.

THE 2nd XV were beaten 41-11 by Melrose Storm. Prop Sam Kenny scored the only try, with Sam Graham kicking two penalties. Millbrae RFC beat Bishopton 40-10, with Max Pickles man-of- the-match.

Ayr Ladies’ Sarah Beaney Cup tie with Aberdeenshire Quines was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.