CARRICK RFC have earned their place in a national semi-final as the Maybole outfit's incredible season got back underway.
The South Ayrshire side played their only match of February on Saturday as they hosted Aberdeenshire in the Shield quarter-final.
Having earned their last eight spot back in November, it was well worth the long wait for Carrick to return to knockout action as they earned a 40-24 win.
Though the hosts were made to work for their victory with the visitors pushing ahead twice in the early stages - either side of a Lewis Clark response.
With Aberdeenshire 12-5 ahead, Carrick hit back with a converted Scott Blackhurst effort levelling the tie.
Aiden Strachan then gave the home side their first lead before Clark grabbed his second to extend the advantage to 26-12.
The visitors would not go down without a fight, however, and a pair of tries narrowed the gap back to two heading into the closing stages.
But it was to be Carrick's day as John Fulton went over before Clark completed his hat-trick to round of the scoring.
The Maybole club are now set to fight for their place in the showpiece final later this year - alongside their tense battle for West Division One glory.
Elsewhere in South Ayrshire, Marr RFC played their penultimate match of their National Division One season as they hosted title hopefuls Stirling County on Saturday.
The visitors ran out 26-17 winners in a close encounter - with the result dropping Marr into fourth position in the standings.
The Fullarton side will travel to take on Musselburgh in their final game of the campaign on Saturday, March 21.
While Ayr RFC now know when they will be back in action for the National Premiership semi-final.
The Millbrae outfit will host Watsonian on Sunday, March 15, with kick off at 2.05pm as they look to move closer to their second consecutive title.
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