AYR's men and ladies may have been undone by the weather once again, but there was plenty of pink and black(ish) action as the U16 and U18 boys competed in national finals and associate club Millbrae RFC got their hands on some silverware too.
Ayr’s de facto 3rd XV started the ball rolling on Saturday as they claimed the BT West Regional Bowl after an 11-0 win against Police Scotland Glasgow RFC at Pollok Park.
Then on Sunday, the youngsters did the club proud at the National Youth League Cup finals day at Murrayfield.  The U16s were first up on the hybrid turf in Edinburgh against Highland.
It was tough opening 35 minutes as they were put under pressure by the team from Inverness.  After a comprehensive 43-5 win over Boroughmuir in the semi-finals, expectations were high for the boys in pink and dark green (to mark the inclusion of Wellington School in the Ayr RFC youth section this season).
Highland opened the scores with a penalty by Jamie Carson before Ayr’s Jack Harris – on for an injured Ross McCorkindale – raced over in the corner for an unconverted try.
There was some loose, frantic play but Highland were steady at the set pieces.  Carson slotted another penalty to put his team into the lead at half-time.
Ayr upped their energy levels, captain Rollo Press leading the way from the back row.  Winger Ollie Smith was finding space but it was scrum-half Jake Jacobson who went over for the try, converted by player of the match Jack Gaw.
Ayr took control, Gaw kicking a penalty to stretch their lead.  He was back at the tee to convert prop Jack McDougall’s try.
But Highland hadn’t made the 150-mile journey to roll over.  Winger Jack Doherty sprinted away for a score that Carson converted.
After twice being held up by the tough Highland defence, Ayr replacement Kerr Borland found a way over, Gaw converting again.
It looked like it was all over, but outside centre Cammy Black broke away in the midfield to score a beautiful try.  The last action of an entertaining match was Gaw’s successful conversion, making the score 36-13.
The U18s were up next and up against it.  Stirling County have one of the strongest youth sections, along with Ayr, in the country.  Several of these players had faced each other in the U16s final last year when they had drawn and shared the cup.  It was clear from the off that there would be no sharing this year.
Ayr drew first blood thanks to a try by Scotland U18s hooker Robbie Smith.  It went unconverted.  Stirling’s lock Duncan Hendry replied, full-back Logan Trotter converting.
Both sides were putting in some huge tackles, Ayr’s scrum-half Angus Boyle dragging down players far bigger than him.
Ayr took the lead just after half-time thanks to a scintillating interception try by flanker Cameron Reece that Paddy Dewhirst converted.
Stirling nearly did the same moments later but Ayr’s scurrying defence superbly brought the attacker to a halt with metres to spare.
Stirling kept their composure and slick handling sent flanker Wallace Nelson over in the corner.  Trotter was on great form with the boot and converted from out wide.
Ayr had their chances but Stirling were just a bit more clinical and a penalty by Trotter sealed the win for them.
The standard of play in both finals was very high, which might be scant consolation for the disappointed Ayr U18s, but it does mean the future is in safe hands.
Ayr’s senior side had been scheduled to face Stirling County on Saturday in the BT Cup third round, but Bridgehaugh was unplayable due to heavy rain and the tie will be rescheduled.
Ayr 2nd XV’s away match to Hamilton was postponed for a second time.  Ayr Ladies, too, had to call off their game with Watsonians after the pitches in Alloway flooded.