BT Premiership

AYR 17

MELROSE 34

By Elena Hogarth

CHAMPIONS Ayr were beaten by a slick and ruthless Melrose at Millbrae in the third round of the BT Premiership.

It was a first half to forget for the home team, as they leaked points on a drizzly day in Alloway.

Melrose scored tries through hooker Russell Anderson and wingers Sam Pecqueur and Ross McCann, the latter getting a brace before half-time, his second a particular groan-inducing score for Ayr fans as it came from a spilled ball just as it looked like the men in pink and black were about to cross the whitewash themselves. Instead, McCann ran the length of the field unimpeded to score at the other end.

Thanks to a penalty by new centre Scott Lyle and a try by veteran full-back Grant Anderson, Ayr went into the clubhouse at half-time with points on the board.

Melrose took their foot off the gas after their reliable centre Craig Jackson kicked a penalty at the start of the second half. But Ayr just couldn’t capitalise, even when they had a man-advantage with prop Ruairi McLeod in the sin bin after an illegal collapse as they headed for the try-line.

They got the penalty try, converted by Lyle, but further points eluded them.

Young players Paddy Dewhirst, Robbie Smith, Michael Badenhorst and Lewis Anderson were full of energy and industry but there was a lack of cohesion and effective support play that meant the opportunities they created did not turn into points.

“We can’t afford to give away points like that in the first half." said Ayr head coach Calum Forrester, who added: "We’ll need to tighten up for the coming games.”

While there was disappointment amongst the squad, the coaching team and the fans, the season is only a few weeks old, and there is much more to come from this league and Ayr as a team.

The youngsters, in particular, are ready to spread their wings and fly, given the chance, and the back row of captain Pete McCallum and powerhouse flankers Blair Macpherson and Tommy Spinks look like they can do some real damage, with Forrester hoping things will finally click into place when Ayr play Currie at Malleny Park on the outskirts of Edinburgh this Saturday.

Meanwhile, the 2nd XV found themselves in a high-scoring match with Melrose Storm in BT Reserve 1, but were beaten 34-45. Storm ripped their way through the league in the previous season, winning all of their matches, so Ayr knew they had a fight on their hands.

Again, the youngsters led the way, with the several graduates of the Ayr-Wellington U18s programme impressing in their transition to senior rugby.

Fly-half Johnny McCorkindale scored two tries, and number eight Cameron Reece, centre James Armstrong and winger Cameron Taylor got one each, with Armstrong on converting duty.

Ayr Ladies had another difficult game in the BT Premier League, losing out 7-81 to RHC Cougars in Edinburgh. On the upside, several players are on the comeback trail after injury and work and university commitments kept them out of the game, and the ladies were glad to welcome back Shania Irvine, Laura McTaggart, Lauren McBride and Niamh D