Rugby season at crunch time for South Ayrshire sides

Ayr RFC are now just one match from perfection as their regular season campaign in the National Premiership is set to come to a climax.

The dominant Millbrae side picked up their 17th consecutive bonus point win on Saturday as they dispatched Kelso 52-12 on the road.

Unanswered first half tries from Blair Macpherson, Jamie Drummond, Robbie Orr and Adam McGowan had Grant Anderson's men cruising at the break.

Lewis McNamara and Jamie Shedden added to the score line before Kelso got two quickfire scores on the board.

But it was the visitors who had the last say, with Bobby Beattie going over and Shedden adding his second to round off the scoring.

Ayr will look to make it a perfect regular season on Saturday, February 7, as they host Selkirk - who would be relegated by a defeat, unless they pick up two bonus points in the process.

In National Division One, Marr were involved in a thrilling match with one of the league's two title hopefuls as they travelled to take on Edinburgh Accies.

Despite tries from Jack Scott, Jake Jacobson and a Jack Broadfoot hat-trick, it was the hosts who claimed victory with a 46-35 win.

The Troon outfit remain in third place with two matches left to play but face a battle to remain there with a tough run of games to draw out the campaign.

Into West Division One, Carrick are set to be involved in what will be a thrilling title battle.

The Maybole outfit fell to a narrow 36-34 defeat against fellow challengers Lenzie on Saturday.

The result means the table toppers are now just three points clear of Strathaven in second and 10 ahead of their weekend opponents, who have two matches in hand.

Carrick have four matches left to play in what is sure to be a thrilling conclusion.

Meanwhile, in women's rugby, there was a South Ayrshire derby as Carrick hosted Marr in the National Plate pool stage.

It was the visitors who claimed bragging rights with a 50-7 win, which keeps the Troon outfit in the mix for progression.