Callum Kerr

Callum Kerr @ Millbrae

Ayr RFC bounced back from their first defeat of the season last weekend to secure victory in emphatic fashion this afternoon at Millbrae, downing Boroughmuir 58-12.

The hosts went coast-to-coast, leading from the second minute until the last, in a game that never looked like it was going to be anything other than an Ayr victory. Boroughmuir remained determined and did well to weather much of the onslaught and leave with a couple of consolation tries late in the game.

(David Lymburn in action during this afternoon’s victory. Image – George McMillan)

At the final whistle of last week’s loss, head coach Stuart Fenwick was a man of few words. After today’s victory, he was once again a man of few words. When asked if he was happy, he insisted: “Yes.”

When pressed further, Fenwick commended the efforts of his men to bounce back and secure a statement victory this afternoon: “We worked really hard at training this week. We knew we had underperformed against Heriots. We worked hard on Tuesday and Thursday and the boys turned up with a really good attitude. We spoke about a few things that were definitely evident today on the field. We put those things into action. I’m really pleased with it”.

In a testament to the squad’s depth, Fenwick highlighted the impact made today when the bench was called upon: “We certainly have got guys that can come in across the squad… There’s a lot of guys in the second XV today who could quite easily play ones when selected and should be pushing on to that. We have guys who can perform at that level and can compete at that level.

“The depth in the squad is very good just now”.

Jamie Bova was named Man of the Match, having been involved in a mouth-watering amount of tries, including one for himself. The wing also contributed a shedload of points from the tee. When asked who stood out in Stuart Fenwick’s eyes, he struggled to pinpoint individuals, instead praising the collective performance: “Lots of people did stand out but I’m more impressed with how they gelled and played as a unit.

“Looking at performances within that, I thought Aidan O’Connor bounced back today and scored a couple of really good tries. He looked real confident with the ball in hand. I thought all of the pack fronted up exceptionally. Scott Clelland was terrific, Michael Kirk put in some great hits and Craig Brown again was outstanding”.

It was different fortunes for Ayr/Millbrae, who lost 63-7 to GHA 2s.

Attention now turns to tomorrow’s FOSROC Super6 final between the Ayrshire Bulls and Southern Knights. The match kicks off at 13.30 at Edinburgh Rugby’s newly erected DAM Health Stadium. Secure your tickets on the button below.

Callum Kerr

It’s finals week for the Ayrshire Bulls who take on the Southern Knights this Sunday for FOSROC Super6 glory. With the conclusion of the regular season the two sides lead the pack and will meet at the DAM Health Stadium to determine who’ll be crowned the league’s first-ever champions. The match kicks off at 13.30.

The Bulls qualify in second place, after dropping off the top spot in yesterday’s disappointing defeat to Watsonians at Myreside. They won’t have much time to lick their wounds, with the season finale fast approaching.

(Image – Pete Horne was at the helm on Sunday with Pat MacArthur unable to Travel)

Reflecting on the weekend’s defeat, assistant coach Peter Horne urged that there were valuable takeaways from the match: “Look there are some good lessons that we can learn that’ll be really fitting going into (the final) next week…

“Our physicality wasn’t quite there and that’s something we pride ourselves on. We were second best all the time… Last week’s win against the Knights was so physical and that’s where we need to be to beat them. We will certainly review some of it, dust ourselves off, then get ready to go!”

Despite yesterday’s loss, Pat MacArthur’s men will go into the game confident of a result, having beaten the Southern Knights as early as two weeks ago. That match however unfolded in the comfort of Millbrae, whereas this one is in the neutral setting of Edinburgh Rugby’s newly erected Stadium.

Ayr currently hold the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup titles, having won them before the introduction of the new part-time professional Super6 league in 2019. Adding Sunday’s trophy to the cabinet would mean a clean sweep of Scottish Rugby’s top honours.

Ayr Rugby has a rich history of travelling to the capital for finals day and the Bulls will hope for a sea of pink to welcome them on Sunday. Tickets for both the game and supporters buses can be booked on the links below.

The match is also being broadcast live on FreeSports (Sky Channel 422) for those who can’t make the trip east.

There’s also Rugby action on Saturday at Millbrae, with the Club XV sides hosting Boroughmuir and GHA. Both games kick-off at 15.00.

Callum Kerr @ Goldenacre

Ayr 1XV fell victim to their first loss of the season this afternoon at the hands of Heriots Blues, who edged them out in a 27-22 thriller. It was nip and tuck for the full eighty, but a late comeback for Ayr was only enough to salvage a losing bonus point.

It makes it four wins out of five to start their Tennent’s National 1 campaign, which has them sitting pretty at the business end of the league table.

At the final whistle head coach Stuart Fenwick was complimentary of his men, but ultimately frustrated not to leave with the win: “We are disappointed, we have to be disappointed. We had opportunities in the game to score despite not playing where we know we can be at… We made a lot of silly errors and unforced penalties which put us under a lot of pressure.

“The positives are that we created a lot of chances, we just need to be a little more clinical when we get there”.

It was a revamped side from ones that have previously stepped onto the field this season due to numerous factors. David Lymburn made his long-awaited 1XV debut alongside Hamish McIntosh-Floyd and Moe Zimmerman, and Ben Paterson returned to the fold after over two years on the sidelines. The change in personnel wasn’t a factor in the result, insists Fenwick, who praised the efforts of the new faces: “We are not going to make excuses in terms of changes. We had some really good guys that came in and they all played very well. What we have got to look at is how collectively we can shore things up a little bit more instead of looking for individuals to do things”.

Ayr delt the opening blow in the match. From relatively nothing, fly-half Richie Simpson booted the ball high into the air before chasing it. The youngster managed to collect it himself unchallenged before gliding around the remaining defenders and diving clear. The touchline conversion from Jamie Bova didn’t hit the mark.

Twenty minutes into the contest Heriots chalked it all up with a try of their own, but Bova put Ayr back in front moments later with a routine kick from the tee following a high tackle on John Fulton.

The hosts managed to get the lead before halftime, with two tries in quick succession making it 17-8 at the break.

Heriots opened the scoring after the interval with three points, marking the largest lead of the game at 20-8.

Unperturbed, Ayr managed to muster some good fortune out of nothing when Zac Howard latched onto a Heriots’ pass and cantered in unchallenged. Bova split the uprights this time, making it a five-point game.

Heriots proved to be clinical all game when shown a glimmer of the line and made no mistake with ten minutes left to play. A converted try out wide made it 27-15, enviably taking a win out of reach for Ayr.

Despite the task in front of them Ayr continued to charge and found themselves knocking on the door once more. A heroic effort on attack was met with titanic endurance in defence from Heriots, who managed to halt the visitors long enough to seal the win. With the clock in red Ayr did get a reward for their effort – birthday boy Ben Cree marking his 21^st with a try. Jamie Bova converted to make it 27-22 and conclude the game.

Full-Time: Heriots Blues 27-22 Ayr Rugby.

There were numerous players who put their hand up for Player of the Match, but head coach Stuart Fenwick had one man on his mind – Craig Brown. The reliable forward started his afternoon at eight and finished in the engine room, throwing himself around in the process. He put in a typical abrasive performance and contributed a healthy amount of tackles in the process.

The Ayrshire Bulls have officially secured their place in the first-ever FOSROC Super6 final, taking place on Oct 17 at Edinburgh Rugby’s DAM Health Stadium.

Their place was confirmed after a successful weekend of action, which started with a win over the Southern Knights – who they’ll meet again in the final – on Friday night. The 17-13 victory propelled them to the top of the league but without a try bonus point they needed to wait until Sunday to find out if they could still be caught by third-place Watsonians. In the end, Boroughmuir Bears did the Bulls and Knights a favour – defeating Watsonians to confirm that the top two could no longer be caught.

The Bulls travel away to Watsonians this Sunday in their final regular-season game, but the result there will only decide whether they go into the final seven days later as the first or second seed.

The Bulls and Knights have been the two outstanding teams this campaign and have been bookies favourites for the final for a few weeks now. They both sit on 31 league points from nine encounters, but the Bulls edge their rivals on points difference, racking up +114 to the Knights’ +66. The two have already met twice this season, with the Knights sealing victory at the Greenyards before the Bulls levelled the score on Friday.

You can book your tickets to the final at scottishrugby.org. It is also being broadcast live on FreeSports.

The weekend’s good news wasn’t exclusive to the Bulls. Ayr’s Club XV and Ayr/Millbrae sides also bagged victories, beating Kelso 35-25 and Cartha 22-19 respectively. The U18s also went two-from-two on the weekend.

It was different fortunes on Sunday for the ladies, who fell short against Garioch 14-40.

Callum Kerr @ Millbrae

 Ayr RFC kept up their unbeaten run this season with a 35-25 victory over Kelso at Millbrae. In a game that could have gone either way in the first half, the hosts rallied after the break to put themselves out of reach as the full-time whistle came round.

Despite treacherous weather conditions early doors, the clouds cleared just in time for kick-off.

The visitors wasted no time in asserting themselves. From the off they marched up the field and put themselves in touching distance. After numerous carries from the forwards, they opted to go wide and found winger Robbie Tweedie in space, who cantered over in the easiest of fashions. The conversion made it a 0-7 lead after just four minutes.

From the restart Ayr earned a penalty and split the uprights through Jamie Bova, but the three points were shortly cancelled out by Kelso.

Right from the first whistle it was clear to all it was going to be a feisty encounter, and the referee wasn’t afraid to dip into his pockets. The first of numerous cards was shown to Kelso’s Frankie Robson, whose dangerous tackle earned him ten minutes in the sin bin. From the resulting penalty Jamie Bova narrowed the gap to 6-10.

The cards came thick and fast after that. Kelso’s captain Andy Tait found himself caught up in a scuffle and was subsequently dealt a red card when deemed the instigator. His opposite number, Adam McGowan, was also penalised for his involvement but was only delt a yellow.

Despite the numerical advantage, Kelso scored moments later. Flanker Billy McNeil burrowed over from the back of a well-executed maul, with the conversion not hitting the mark.

Ayr had one last act before the half-time interval. Danny McCluskey, who was instrumental in much of Ayr’s attack, threw a lofty pass over a number of Kelso players to find Jamie Bova in space. The big wing cut back inside and powered through contact to score. His conversion didn’t connect.

Half-time: Ayr RFC 11-15 Kelso Rugby.

The second half started with a bang for Stuart Fenwick’s men. A breakaway run from Ritchie Simpson ended with him diving clear to put the hosts on top for the first time today. Bova’s conversion made it 18-15.

The lead was short-lived, and after numerous attempts Kelso managed to connect from the tee, chalking it all up at 18-18 with 30 minutes left to play.

The next period of the game proved to be vital. A Jamie Bova penalty followed by a lovely try from Danny McCluskey put some space between the sides for the first time in the game. The result was sealed with five left to play when John Fulton dashed down his wing, drew in the covering full-back and hit Adam McGowan with a well-timed pass. McGowan finished off the move by diving over and gifting Bova with a routine conversion, making it 35-18.

Kelso, who remained competitive despite the early red card, finished on a positive note with a converted try of their own in the dying embers of the match.

Full-time: Ayr Rugby 35-25 Kelso RFC.

For a complete 80-minute display, a try of his own and a couple of crucial passes, Danny McCluskey was named Press Man of the Match.

It makes it two wins out of two for Ayr’s senior sides this weekend, with the Bulls downing Southern Knights on Friday evening.

Callum Kerr @ Meggetland

The Ayrshire Bulls made tricky work of their away bout to Boroughmuir, but inevitably left with all available points and a pleasing 17-27 victory. There was nothing separating the sides at half-time, but a 0-17 run after the break put the Bulls out of reach. The Bears did manage a consolation score on the stroke of final whistle to soften the blow.

After the match Pat Macarthur was mostly pleased with his men’s efforts, particularly due to their ability to win despite not entirely clicking: “We won with a bonus point away from home – really well done – but I think as we grow as a team our expectations of individual performance and collective performance grow with us.

“We are happy with the win, we worked out how to win that game, but the performance we expect of ourselves wasn’t where we want it to be”.

It was 10-10 at the break and with Boroughmuir threatening it could well have been a different outcome, but the side who took to the pitch in the second half seemed to be more assured of themselves. Bears had chances to take the lead, but a steely resolve from MacArthur’s men kept them at bay, allowing them to pull away on the opposite end.

MacArthur described the difference between the two halves: “We managed to control the ball better. In the first half we coughed up a lot of possession and a big thing we’ve been working on is looking after that ball… We went in at half time and had a good few words and they reacted to it – credit to them!

“The bench came on and had a good impact as well which is great to see for our big squad”.

The Bears dealt the first punch of the afternoon through a routine penalty from Tom Pittman four minutes in.

Four minutes later, Yaree Fantini opened the Bulls scoring account. The flanker was disallowed moments before after crafty work from Bear wing Jordan Edmunds who held him up, but nobody could stop him on second serving. With the power of a maul in front of him, it was all too easy for Fantini to rumble over and dot down.

The lead was short-lived, with the electric Kaleem Barreto slicing through to make it 10-5 three minutes later.

An unconverted try for Fantini in identical circumstance to his first chalked it all up and concluded first-half scoring.

Half-time: Boroughmuir Bears 10-10 Ayrshire Bulls

On the 53-minute Michael Scott grabbed the Bull’s third try of the game – and made it three rolling maul tries in a row! Kicking woes continued for the Bulls, who were unable to convert their conversion again.

After it being a forward-hungry affair on the scoreboard, debutant winger Finn Callaghan soon ran over to snatch one for the backs. On his first touch of the ball, not only for the Bulls but also in a FOSROCSuper6 encounter, he finished off a well-worked set-piece to score under the posts. Matt Minogue, who wasn’t long on for Christian Townsend, added the extras.

Callaghan didn’t waste time to get his second. After numerous carries into the heart of the Bears’ half, the Bulls worked the ball wide gifting Callaghan plenty of space for a picturesque leap into the corner.

With the Bears now trailing 10-27 and the clock dwindling away, they plucked up a consolation score in the final play of the game.

Full-Time: Boroughmuir Bears 17-27 Ayrshire Bulls

In a game that was won up-front and in the shadows, workhorse Ryan Sweeny was named FOSROC Man of the Match for an industrious eighty-minute performance.

Today’s Twitter coverage of the match was proudly sponsored by the University of the West of Scotland.

Tries: Yaree Fantini (2), Michael Scott, Finn Callaghan (2)

Conversion: Matt Minogue

Callum Kerr @ Goldenacre

The Ayrshire Bulls secured a statement win on the road against Heriots Rugby earlier today. They ‘nilled’ the hosts in what turned out to be a comfortable 0-28 victory.

It marks their third win on the bounce after a shaky start and moves them to second in the league, leapfrogging Watsonians.

(Image – Malcolm Mackenzie. Eli Caven was in the heart of the action early doors)

It was the dream start for the Bulls. Early pressure soon resulted in three points from the tee when Heriots were caught offside. The initial break came courtesy of Eli Caven, who’s piercing run put the Bulls in touching distance. Tom Jordan was able to open his kicking account from the resulting penalty.

Moments later the Bulls got their first score. Once again it was Caven who provided the spark. The winger sprung through the line but was pulled down metres short. A loose pass went to ground but Robbie Nairn was on-hand to scoop the ball and muscle over through contact.

A quick penalty shortly after, followed by a carbon-copy try for Nairn, gave him his brace and Ayr a 0-18 lead early doors.

Despite both sides flirting with the try line there after neither side got back on the scoreboard in the first half.

Half-time: Heriots Rugby 0-18 Ayrshire Bulls

The intensity ramped up in the second half, resulting in both sides struggling to mount any real challenge for the line.

After half an hour of the score stalling the Bulls eventually broke through again. The ball shipped wide to winger Aaron Tait who had little to no room in front of him but managed to shrug off a pair of tacklers – with the second due to an almighty left-hand fend. Tait did remarkably well to prevent being shoved into touch, balancing acutely on the inside of the pitch and leaping through the air to score.

Moments later they were at it again, with Blair MacPherson making a captain’s contribution to secure the bonus point seven minutes from the final whistle. It was Heriot’s scrum on the five-metre line, but the Bulls drove them back in heroic fashion to give MacPherson a simple dot down to conclude the scoring.

Full-time: Heriots Rugby 0-28 Ayrshire Bulls.

There were a handful of contenders for FOSROC player of the match, but it was fly-half Tom Jordan who fought off stiff competition from his comrades. The kiwi expertly managed his side’s attack and didn’t shy away from defensive confrontation.

Tries: Robbie Nairn (2), Aaron Tait, Blair Macpherson.

Penalties: Tom Jordan (2)

Conversion: Tom Jordan

Callum Kerr @ Bridgehaugh

The first piece of Silverware up for grabs this season was secured this evening at Bridgehaugh, with Ayr bringing the Cairdeas Quaich home to Millbrae. The trophy was won in terrific fashion, with Frazier Climo picking up a hat-trick in a 9-24 victory over the hosts.

The Cairdeas Quaich was introduced in 2014 by sponsors United Auctions and is competed for every time the two sides meet. It stayed at Millbrae for almost a decade, before Stirling eventually bagged a maiden victory over Ayr prior to 2020’s lockdown. Tonight’s victory means it returns to Burns country.

Ayr started the game with great intent. A piercing run from Harry Lynch put them on the front foot within the opening minute, but a dropped ball subdued the threat, allowing County to clear their lines from the scrum.

The tempo continued at a frantic rate for the opening ten minutes but neither side could keep the ball long enough to mount a convincing attack. The first real chance of the game fell to the hosts. Ben Salmon broke clear from his 22 and released Kier Singleton down the park. He looked in for the opening score before Jamie Bova tracked back and dragged him down short of the line, pressure relieved.

It was Ayr’s turn to strike next. Frazier Climo found space with a crafty dink in behind which bounced up eloquently for him. He fell to his knees but popped the ball up to Cameron Young in the process. Young cantered clear only to be held up inches short by terrific scramble-defence. County forced a penalty from the resulting ruck and yet again the game remained scoreless.

Despite both sides flirting with a try early on, first blood came via the experienced boot of Jonny Hope on the 15^th minute.

The lead with short lived, with Ayr bagging their try moments later. In trademark style, Climo looked lost in a sea of opposing defenders but managed to juke his way through and glide clear. Jamie Bova extended the lead from the tee to 3-7.

With their newfound confidence, Ayr didn’t waste any time to score again. On the 24^th minute Michael Kirk barrelled over from close range to make it 3-12 to the visitors.

Stirling County would conclude the scoring for the first half, with another three points courtesy of Hope.

Half-time: 6-12

County started the half in a similar fashion and eight minutes in struck again from the tee. Ayr were pinged for not rolling away, allowing Jonny Hope to make it 9-12 and 3/3 from the tee.

Inevitably the game began to slow, with neither side striking blows for the next stage of the game. Ayr had their noses in front but play balanced on a knife-edge.

The all-important next score came once again through Frazier Climo. From the base of a scrum, Jamie Bova came off his wing to take the ball in midfield. An optimistic County tackle flew in, but Bova did well to shrug him down with a heroic hand-off, launching down the field. He did the hard yards before finding Climo on his outside to dive clear. The conversion didn’t land but Ayr held a 9-17 lead eight minutes from final whistle.

The icing on top came in injury time. With Ayr showing no sign of letting the game dwindle away they pushed for a bonus. In the last play of the game, Frazier Climo sliced through the line to bag his hat-trick and the all-important try bonus point. Job done, three wins on the bounce and some silverware to boot!

No surprise to any, head coach Stuart Fenwick reluctantly named his old comrade Frazier Climo Man of the Match.

The 1^st will look to take their scintillating form into next week’s clash with Biggar at Millbrae. The game kicks off at 15.00 on Saturday.