Callum Kerr

Join us from half 11 for full coverage, a finger buffet and Ayr Ladies Q&A.

Afterwards, the Ladies take on Stirling ladies in a massive match in the Woman's Premiership.

It is £10 a ticket and you can book your place by either emailing info@ayrrugbyclub or phoning Liz on 07968205024. We urge anyone planning on coming to book in advance so we have an idea of numbers for food.

Despite cutting a dejected figure at full time, Head Coach Stuart Fenwick believes there are plenty positives to take from the game: "The disappointing thing is the result, not the performance. We got an awful lot more from the boys today in terms of attitude and intensity.

"We proved that we are a very difficult team to score against".

The hosts wasted no time to get on the scoreboard, converting a penalty kick less than two minutes into the game. Ayr responded in kind, with Jamie Bova squaring it all up on the ten-minute mark.

Moments later Ayr to the lead, with Johnny McCorkindale cruising in for his 6th try of the season. Bova punctured a hole in the midfield to charge up the field before terrific scramble-defence pulled him down just short. The ball was quickly recycled and shipped wide to McCorkindale, who slipped between two defenders to score.

Melrose upped the ante to close out the second half but couldn't break down heroic Ayr defence. A yellow card to Bova strained the line, but the visitors held firm to see out the half.

Half-time: Melrose 3-8 Ayr.

Ayr were slow out of the traps to start the half, and Melrose punished them for it. Two tries in five minutes brought the score to 15-8 and the hosts looked comfortable with a firm grip on scrum and line-outs.

On the hour mark Ayr got their second wind and mustered up some heroic attack to propel themselves into contention. Harry Lynch catapulted through the line fending off his opposite man and shipped to Zac Howard who hacked the ball up the field. Melrose were camped on their line and struggling to exit.

Ayr reaped their reward when they muscled back possession, with Ross McCorkidale using his boot to find Bova unmarked lingering on the touch-line. The bullish centre ran clear before nailing the conversion to tie it all up.

The next twenty minutes had both sides of the divide on the edge of their seats -Every half-chance was met with a quick inhale of breath from the fans watching.

As the game marched on Ayr's penalty tally began to add up. An exacerbated traveling support pleaded to the ref, but Ayr weren't getting the rub of the green.

With the clock in red Melrose managed to muster up one more effort and haul themselves over the line to seal the result.

Full-time: Melrose 20-15 Ayr.

Captain Gregor Henry led by example and picked up Slaters Menswear Man of the Match after a tireless eighty minutes of work.

Tight-head prop Craig Miller returns from injury to the front-row with Gregor Lynch on the bench. September Player of the Month Scott Clelland retains the 1 jersey and Kerr Borland swaps with Dave Young.

Seth Rae moves to the engine room for the injured Craig Brown, with Morgan Leatherbarrow starting at eight.

There is just one change in the backline with James Baird replacing James Armstrong.

On the bench Zander Howie and Matt Donaldson return. Jack Brown also features and will make his 1st XV debut if called upon.

Both games kick-off at 15.00 and you can follow the action every step of the way on Twitter @OfficialAyrRFC.

This week's Team News is brought to you by NeoGen

The Hooker was the sole constant in the Ayr front-row over the month of September. In a month plagued by injury, Clelland enjoyed abrasive performances at both hooker and prop. A great four weeks was capped off with an individual try against Dundee, latching on to an overthrown line-out and bullying his way over the line.

Clelland will win a £50 voucher for high street tailors Slaters Menswear.

It was a double-serving of young props at 11 am, with GHA's Michael Scott being unveiled beside Ewan Davies, who joins from Jersey Reds in the Greene King IPA Championship. Aged at 22 and 20 respectively, the two have a bright future at Millbrae in front of them.

Midday saw Ayr Academy product Cam Reece announced alongside Outside Back Tom Lewis, who joins from Durham University RFC.

13.00 welcomed Argentine prop Nicolas Griffiths from Club Alcobendas Rugby and Gavin Wilson from Glasgow Hawks. A 19-year old back-row, Wilson is a product of Dumfries Saints and will represent the south-west coast of Scotland as a Bull.

At 14.00 Ayr Club XV centre James Pinkerton was announced alongside Fosroc Academy Stage 3 prospect Rory Jackson, who plays in the engine-room.

The final announcement revealed that Scotland U20s star Matt Davidson will be returning to Millbrae after a year in the Greene King IPA Championship with London Scottish. Alongside Davidson was utility back Tom Jordan, who joins from Waikato Rugby in New Zealand.

"I am delighted to have announced the final signings of the 35-man squad" insists Peter Murchie, "We have a really talented squad together and have been working hard for a number of weeks now.

"It is a really exciting opportunity the players have got, so they are doing everything they can to make sure we are successful".

McCluskey and Anderson both need no introduction to the Millbrae Faithful.

Anderson is the stand-alone man to have won four Scottish Cups and four Premiership titles in his ten-year career at Ayr.

"Grant is one of the, if not the, most successful club player of all time". Insists Murchie, "One of his best attributes is his competitive edge and will to win".

McCluskey is a home-grown talent and the embodiment of the Ayr Rugby system. His talent in both attack and defence has been a key trait of the 1st XV over the past few years.

"He is a real modern-day centre. He can catch, pass, run and tackle at a high level".

"He was one of our most consistent performers in the double team last year".

Hooker Sam Kitchen joins from Shute Shield side Nothern Suburbs in Australia. He has also played for the Sydney Rays in the National Rugby Championship.

Speaking of his two new faces, head coach Peter Murchie said: "Chester is a strong, powerful winger who knows his way to the line. He had a really successful season last year at Leeds Beckett, reaching the Bucs Super Rugby Final.

"Sam has been a regular performer in the Shute Shield and has previously won the competition. He has a strong set-piece and great skillset which will suit our style of play.

"I am delighted the two have decided to join the Bulls".

He notched up two Slaters menswear Man of the Match awards and bagged a brace against Dundee HSFP.

Johnny Mcorkindale couldn't have asked for a better start to September. The full-back kicked-off the month with a hattrick on Ladies Day and went on to start in every other game. He also provided the crucial bonus-point score against Dundee HSFP. He currently has five tries in five appearances for the Club XV.

Hooker Scott Clelland has been the sole constant in the front row. In a month plagued with injury, the 18-year old stared down adversity and put in solid performances at both hooker and prop, spending less than ten minutes on the bench for the full month. He also crossed the line against Dundee.

Even when there has been limited go-forward among the backs, the hard-running Harry Lynch has remained a constant. The centre has managed to put his trademark stamp on every fixture so far, starting at 13 on all occasions. He has bagged two tries for his troubles, both of which came off intelligent supporting lines. Defensively he has remained resolute.

The winner of the Player of the Month Award will win a £50 voucher for tailors Slaters Menswear.

Vote here.

After continued pressure from Ayr in the opening 20 mins, Jamie Bova utilised his size to prise his way through the Dundee backline and touch down, giving Armstrong anther easy chance to kick true. 14-0.

Dundee coughed up the ball again from the restart and Captain Gregor Henry found an extra yard of pace to beat the defenders on the outside. The super seven took the ball well on the right-wing, leaving the Dundee players in his dust gliding through and diving down to get another try on the board. This time the kick flew wide and Ayr lead 19-0 after the first quarter.

Following a mistake on Ayr’s 22, the home side conceded their first points on the day after Dundee’s cross-field kick failed to beat the defence, but play came back for the penalty and Paul Kerr made no mistake from the tee.

The score stood at Ayr 19-3 Dundee as half-time reared its’ head, with a controlling opening forty from the Millbrae outfit. Pace and power were the topic of conversation at the break, but Ayr would look to improve on the finer aspects of their game in order to capitalise on chances created in the second half, with a couple of avoidable mistakes preventing a much higher score-line.

Dundee started off their second half in a similar vein to how they ended the first. Kerr capitalised on an unforced error from the hosts and took to the tee, doubling their tally.

Undeterred, excellent work on the ball from Ayr led to Johnny McCorkindale grabbing the bonus-point try. A hard tackle on the halfway line forced the turnover, with slick hands marching Ayr up the field. Bova managed to draw his man before finding the full-back on an inside line. Playmaker turned placekicker, Bova added the extras to make the score 26-6.

With tired legs now a factor the game started to open up, and Jamie Bova took full advantage of slack defence to glide home for his second soon after.

Dundee replied in quick succession, with Ayr’s defence burst open by reserve loose-head Finlay Jacobs, who crept through the line from a ruck.

Seth Rae capped off a man-of-the-match performance soon after, changing down, retrieving, and scoring to get his brace. Scott Clelland added the finishing touches with a successful rolling maul score on the final whistle.

Full Time: Ayr 45-18 Dundee HSFP.

A far cry from their previous encounter, which saw Ayr snatch late victory in a 17-18 thriller, a special performance secured maximum points in style.

Photos - George McMillan

Camie Black is involved for the first time this season, coming in at nine for the injured Matt Donaldson. Zac Howard returns and is on the wing, with Jamie Bova shifted to 12 to make way. James Pinkerton drops to the bench.

Joining Cree, Leatherbarrow and Pinkerton on the bench is Ross McCorkindale and Chris Easton who are in line for debut if used.

Both games kick-off at 3pm and if you can't make it to Millbrae you can follow the action every step of the way on Twitter @OfficialAyrRFC.

This week's teamsheets are brought to you by Dawn group.

Peter Murchie described Thompson with: “He is a young ten who has managed to get a fair bit of experience under his belt from playing in the Premiership and U20s. He has a good running and kicking game and we think he will fit in well with us.

“He has also developed his leadership skills through his experience with the 20s, which is important in such a key position. I also think the chance to work alongside Frazier Climo will be great for his development”.

Thompson joins from Tennent’s Premiership outfit Glasgow Hawks.

Peter Murchie is excited to see how McGuire can develop: “Alex had a big step up last year coming from National Two, but he handled it well and got plenty of game time. His ball carrying is very good and he has a big physical presence on the park.

“We look forward to seeing him compete this year and I think he has huge potential to improve his game”.

The young pair are Peter Murchie’s 16^thand 17^th Bulls signings

Photos:

Ross Thompson - Scottish Rugby/SNS

Alex McGuire - George McMillan