Bulls secure big win at Meggetland
Callum Kerr @ Meggetland
The Ayrshire Bulls cruised to a 7-48 victory over Boroughmuir Bears this evening at Meggetland. A match played at break-neck speed – Pat MacArthur’s men managed to wrangle control of a contest that at times looked more like a Harlem Globe Trotters exhibition than a rugby game. Both sets of backs enjoyed the frantic nature of proceedings, but it was the Bulls pack and impenetrable set piece that kept them on the front foot.
The Bears pressed early courtesy of a handful of penalties but once the Bulls wrestled back possession on their line they ran the length to draw first blood. A Jamie Shedden break started it all before the ball was worked through the hands to Chris Elliot – who offloaded through contact to put Thomas Glendinning over. Brad Roderick-Evans couldn’t convert.
The Bears answered back in equally dazzling fashion. From a kick-return Josh Beveridge put a dink over the Bulls line, regathered and finished through a handful of attempted tackles. George Paul’s conversion put them 7-5 ahead after 12 minutes.
The frantic pace of the game continued and the Bulls looked like they were back ahead after 17 minutes, but the Bears’ defence did well to roll Bobby Beattie onto his back over the line and prevent the ball from touching down.
They couldn’t keep Beattie out for long. Five minutes later the centre carved through the line after a flat pass from Reiss Cullen hit him between two Bears. Roderick-Evans added the extras.
Another try followed shortly after. From a rolling maul Grant Stewart broke off and bumped his way through a cluster of tackles to make the line.
Beattie doubled-up before the half. In similar style to Beveridge’s earlier effort, he hacked a ball through the line before regathering and cantering under the posts.
Half-time: Boroughmuir Bears 7-24 Ayrshire Bulls.
After the interval the scoring dried up but the relentless pace didn’t. Both sides were hell-bent on playing at a rate of knots and keeping the ball alive. Terrific scramble defence kept the try line out of reach on countless occasions.
After the hour mark the Bulls settled for three points with substitute Christian Townsend keeping the scoreboard ticking from the tee.
With fifteen left to play the Bulls got back over the line. When the ref blew for a penalty on the Bears’ five metre Fergus Johnstone reacted quickly to tap and go, diving over with ease. Townsend made it 7-34 with the conversion.
From the restart an ill-timed turn from Blair Macpherson resulted in his shoulder making contact with the head of the Boroughmuir ball carrier. The clash resulted in the Bulls’ skipper seeing red and being sent for an early shower.
The man advantage didn’t last long for the Bears, with Joe Jenkins picking up a yellow on the 73rd minute for a tip tackle. From the resulting penalty the Bulls went to the corner and worked their way back over. Alex McGuire looked primed to score from the maul but had to wait a few more phases before crashing over under the posts. Townsend made it 7-41 with five to play.
Fergus Johnston dealt the final blow, picking up his brace in the process. Again from a maul, the ball was spun to Townsend who looked over had it not been for an excellent last ditch tackle. Johnston picked up from the resulting ruck and squeezed his way to the line.
Full-time: Boroughmuir Bears 7-48 Ayrshire Bulls
Bobby Beattie picked up FOSROC Player of the Match honours after another exhilarating eighty-minute performance in the midfield.
Ayr Rugby Football Club Announce Plans for Redevelopment
Press Release
Wednesday, 16th August 2023
Ayr Rugby Football Club, Millbrae, Alloway, Ayr, KA74PJ
Ayr Rugby Football Club Announce Plans for Redevelopment
Ayr Rugby Football Club, one of Ayrshire’s most significant sporting institutions, has announced the first phase to redevelop Millbrae creating a facility to meet the Club’s sporting and community ambitions for the next generation.
The Club, which recently became a charity, delivers a wide range of activities, enabling community involvement in a variety of settings and levels. The proposals will strengthen the ability of the club to reach out further and act as a hub for sporting and community activities.
This is the first of a number of phases and the initial application includes a new access road to Millbrae with associated car parking and landscaping. The proposed development is intended to comprise a new access road to Ayr Rugby Club for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from Murdoch’s Loan using the existing access to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum car park.
· New access road to Ayr Rugby Football Club for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from Murdoch’s Lone.
· Use of the existing access to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum car park.
· Access to extend within the site
· New car parking with a total of 126 parking spaces
· New turning area and a parking area for two coaches
The proposals are the first steps in a wider multi-million pound redevelopment of Millbrae which could include an all-weather multi-sport pitch, new changing and training facilities, a community gym, clubhouse, function room and children’s play area.
Outlining the application, Ayr Rugby Football Club chairman and project lead, said:
“This application unlocks the development with a new access road into Millbrae. We have had to work closely with the National Trust for Scotland and South Ayrshire Council to negotiate the purchase of land and a right of servitude to access Millbrae through land from Murdoch’s Loan. They have been very helpful and recognise the importance of this community project. But none of this would be possible without the financial support offered by The Macdonald Legacy.”
Alan Macdonald, set up the Macdonald Legacy to honour his son, former player, Barry Macdonald who died suddenly in December 2020. The Macdonald family were long-term sponsors of Ayr Rugby Club with the Dawn company logo emblazoned on the kit for the past two decades.
Speaking of the legacy, Mr Macdonald, said:
“Barry and myself greatly enjoyed being at Millbrae over the years and I wanted to do something meaningful in his memory. It is fitting that the legacy will provide a tremendous sporting and community hub for future generations who can enjoy Millbrae and it’s unique atmosphere.”
The planning application is available to view on the South Ayrshire Planning portal.
For further information please contact, Joe Evans, media@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk
Angus McKay - Funeral
The funeral of Gus McKay will be held on the 24th August at 11:15 am at Masonhill Crematorium, Ayr.
Angus McKay - An Appreciation
Ayr Rugby Club lost one of its most charismatic and hard-working members on Saturday 5th August with the sudden and untimely death of Gus McKay at the age of 78.
Gus had been a member of our club for 60 years, as a player, committee man, President, and general handyman about Millbrae. He was a very practical man and no job was too small for him to attend to – he saved the club a fortune as tradesmen were not required. If you asked a favour of Gus, he would oblige.
With no rugby background, Gus McKay was persuaded to join the club as an 18-year-old. With a natural, strong physique, Gus found himself selected as a prop forward. However, the road to the 1st XV front row was blocked by Jock Craig, John Burston and Alastair McClelland. When Jock Craig was a last-minute call-off for a game in Edinburgh, Gus made his debut. His 1st XV appearances were limited but he played for the 2nd XV and the lower teams regularly as he got into his thirties and forties.
By this time Gus had reinvented himself as a stand-off – kicking ability questionable but good handling skills and a fair burst of speed to go with his tackling prowess. He played for the Over-35s which morphed into the Spiders, scoring a bucketload of points until he retired at 50.
By the 1980’s Gus had been persuaded to join the committee and he only came off those duties last year. Positions such as Ground Convenor and House Convenor were the prelude to the inevitable move to higher committee posts and, after several years as Vice President, Gus McKay became President of Ayr Rugby Club from 2001-2004.
The end of his presidency did not mean the end of his club service. By now Gus oversaw SRU International tickets, a task he performed admirably for over 20 years. He gained a new title as Admin Secretary, so he collected and distributed mail and invoices while still using his tools to fix lighting, heating, plumbing and roof problems. His wife Liz must have got fed up with during-the-night telephone calls to the key-holder to meet police on club premises after a break-in triggered the alarm system. He still had time to design and fill the flowerbeds outside the clubhouse. And who is going to replace him as scoreboard operator and timekeeper on match days? Even the club’s Midis benefitted as Gus helped coach his son Alastair’s U-18 team to success with consecutive Scottish Championship wins.
Despite this massive commitment to Millbrae, Gus still found time for his social activities, especially golf. He was an enthusiastic, high-handicap golfer who enjoyed golf trips with his friends to Spain and Portugal as well as weekends in Scotland to St. Andrews, Bute and other golfing venues. A keen walker, his group of six covered the West Highland Way in 2002 and The Great Glen in 2003.
A lively social character, Gus travelled with his kilt to Cardiff, Dublin, Twickenham, Paris and Rome. He was on every Llanishen rugby trip since the inaugural visit to Cardiff in 1974. Almost 50 years of friendship established with his Welsh friends! Gus was the life and soul of every social trip, ready with a joke or quip to entertain the company.
Yet his first priority was always family and our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife Elizabeth (Liz) and children Louise, Stephanie and Alastair. What spare time he had he loved spending with his nine grandchildren. A big softie at heart!
Gus McKay’s tragic passing has left a huge hole at Millbrae and we thank him for the amazing contribution he made to the history and success of Ayr Rugby Club.
Gus, we may ne’er see your like again!
Our Memberships are Evolving
Despite ongoing cost increases across every aspect of the club, we are delighted to be able to announce that our membership prices will remain the same as last year. Members are the foundation of our club and we are very grateful for your continued support as we embark upon the new season. Our club focuses on family and community, and we have made changes to our membership model by introducing a couple of new categories to reflect our ambitions, as follows;
Family Membership – £360 per year or £30 per month.
2 adults and your children (U18 and residing in same household). Designed to encourage your whole family to enjoy the club, this also covers your children’s playing membership under the one banner.
Spouse Membership – £60 per year.
Spouse/Partner of a full paying adult member (must reside at the same address).
As part of our evolving product we have partnered with an exciting new digital ticketing company called Fanbase to handle our memberships and event tickets. As of July all memberships will begin to move to the new platform with the aim of reducing the administrative burden on the club.
Please note – mini and youth players with individual memberships should NOT move yet as we need to establish the best way to administer their memberships – we are working on it and more info will be released soon. Only if you are moving to the new Family category should you move these.
The instructions to sign up and join are as follows;
Download the fanbase app, sign up for free, then follow ‘Ayr Rugby Club’.
If you prefer to do it on their website, simply visit https://app.fanbaseclub.com/club/Ayr-rugby
to register and follow ‘Ayr Rugby Club’
From there you will see the ‘Join’ button and you can scroll through the memberships available to buy. Follow the instructions to purchase your membership. This will now appear in your fanbase wallet under memberships.
If your existing membership is still collecting monthly payments, then email shop@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk and we can cancel it off our old system.
Once we see your membership on our system then you will be issued with a season ticket for access to all league games, bar and shop discount. This season ticket will be in your fanbase wallet which can be added to phone digital wallet if you wish.
Family Memberships – you will be issued with season tickets for all qualifying members of your family. They will go to the fanbase wallet of the account holder, from there you can add them to your phone wallet and share to your family.
This is obviously a major technological shift for the club, but one we hope will be beneficial to everyone. We expect some bumps in the road, but we are here to help if needed, simply email shop@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk for assistance.
General Manager - Ayrshire Bulls
The Ayrshire Bulls are looking for a new General Manager. We are professional, agile, and our values are Respect, Enjoyment, Achievement and Lifestyle. Our work environment includes growth opportunities, regular social events, company perks, flexible working hours, lively atmosphere, safe work environment, wellness programmes.
In the heart of Burns Country, the Ayrshire Bulls run out of Ayr Rugby Club, who were in founded 1897. Ayr Rugby Club is one of Scotland’s most successful rugby clubs, with a track record of success both on and off the field. Building on the success of the previous Club 1stXV’s, the Ayrshire Bulls were the 2021 FOSROC Super6 Champions.
With our values of Respect, Enjoyment, Achievement and Lifestyle, we have a vision of being “An inclusive Club at the heart and the centre of the community”. As a club our mission is “To establish solid foundations that ensure that rugby is in the best position to continue to flourish in all aspects of the game, for all, whilst contributing towards education, health, wellbeing, employment, discipline and inclusiveness across the Ayrshire community”. Our club has a wide range of community events and programmes, along with our youth section for male and female players/teams, our men’s and women’s amateur teams and at the top of the club sits our part-time professional team, the Ayrshire Bulls, who compete in the FOSROC Super6 competition.
To apply send CV to Trustees@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk
Closing Date: Friday 10th February, 5pm
General Manager Ayrshire Bulls
Job Description
To enhance the commercial positioning of our Super6 side an exciting opportunity has arisen to become the Ayrshire Bulls Super6 off-field ‘General Manager’.
The successful candidate will lead the off-pitch team and be responsible for all the Ayrshire Bulls FOSROC Super6 off-field activity. The person will be accountable for implementing the FOSROC Super6 strategy against agreed, with Scottish Rugby, objectives. These objectives include, commercial growth, match day operations and experience, ticketing, and public engagement. To maintain success both on and off the pitch, this senior leadership role is key within the Ayrshire Bulls. The job holder will work with the Ayrshire Bulls Super6 Head Coach and Board in fostering a professional environment and culture for high performance, success, and future growth. A sporting or rugby background is not essential if the applicant has a proven commercial track record.
To apply send CV to Trustees@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk
Closing Date: Friday 10th February, 5pm
General Manager Ayrshire Bulls
Job Details
Supplemental Pay
Bonus scheme
Work location
Ayr
Pay
£35k – £45k per year
Job type
Full-time
Schedule
Flexitime
Weekend availability
Expected start date
01/04/2023
Benefits
Employee discount
Company pension
On-site parking
Store discount
Company events
Sick pay
Free parking
Referral programme
Wellness programme
Casual dress
Reference ID
GM2023
To apply send CV to Trustees@ayrrugbyclub.co.uk
Closing Date: Friday 10th February, 5pm
ARFC Burns Supper
Ladies and Gentlemen, join us on Friday 17th February 6:30pm, at Millbrae for the ARFC Burns Supper!
Help Nathan get his children home to Scotland
Ayr RFC second row Nathan Gilmour has an extensive range of excuses not to attend training – particularly at the beginning of a new season – but this is his best one yet. On Wednesday, he begins a full week of solo camping on the tiny uninhabited lighthouse island of Lady Isle, just off the coast of Troon.
By marooning himself on the island, which is no bigger than the Millbrae turf, Nathan aims to raise funds for a national campaign that looks to challenge an outdated piece of child abduction legislation in Scotland. As well as raising money, Nathan hopes to highlight the loneliness and isolation experienced by ‘left behind parents’ and by abducted children caused by the Scottish legal loophole.
In 2019, Nathan found himself painfully alone after his own children were abducted by their mother against the orders of the local Sheriff court. His children, who were only 1 and 4 years old at the time, have since been registered as missing and at risk by Police Scotland. With the children suspected to be hidden by their mother in the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, Nathan faces a hard battle to see their return.
“With North Cyprus being an illegally occupied area of land, it’s tough to persuade the social and legal services over there to help return my kids. But first the authorities in Scotland need to have appropriate powers to intervene – and unlike the rest of the UK, we don’t have those.”
Standing in his way is an outdated piece of Scottish law that prevents the recognition of parental child abduction as a criminal offence. Nathan’s national campaign aims to reform this legal loophole and bring our legislation in line with the rest of the UK.
“The simple fact is that if my children had been removed from anywhere else in the UK, a European Arrest Warrant and Interpol Red notice would have been produced just 28 days after their abduction. I’m over 3 years down the road and I’m still battling with authorities in Scotland to take appropriate steps that would hugely increase the chance of seeing my children returned safely to their home and family. My children are being denied health and social care, an education and a childhood here in Scotland. Two young children are missing, and yet no action seems to open to me, other parents like me or any Scottish authority. It’s time for change.”
Nathan is often heard talking of the community at Ayr RFC as his close family. “Family is a word that obviously carries a lot of significance but also new meaning for me. I feel hugely blessed to have the boys, coaching staff, and rugby community at Ayr by my side. I don’t think we should underestimate the importance of being included in a family like that when times are tough. This is what has sustained me in some of the bleakest times over the last few years and I want to thank everyone at the club for their kindness and support.”
Nathan is a regular face at the club, both on and off the pitch where he is enjoying being back in the thick of things at the start of a new season.
“I love playing in such a good squad of lads. But I’ll admit, it’s tough keeping up with some or maybe all of the younger guys on the pitch. Staying on a small island this week might not be the most pleasant experience but at least I’ll avoid Pid’s drills for a week and won’t have to listen to Welshy tell stories of when he was young enough and fit enough to play for Wales. And if big Coxy wants me to have a training routine while I’m over there, he can get on his rowing machine and come over to deliver it himself.”
To sponsor Nathan and for more information on the campaign please visit https://gofund.me/1918c4a8 or just google ‘Help Nathan get his children home to Scotland Gofundme’.
All FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series Fixtures to be broadcast to a worldwide audience
Ayrshire Bulls will start the defence of their FOSROC Super6 crown at home to Boroughmuir Bears on Friday 15th April, under the lights at Millbrae.
The Scottish Rugby Union have confirmed that the Super6 Sprint Series will start with Round 1 on 15th April and conclude with Round 5 on Saturday 21st May.
In addition, every Friday night game in the Sprint Series will be broadcast live on television by broadcast partner FreeSports and both Saturday games will be available on the BBC Sport website, BBC iPlayer and the Scottish Rugby website.
FreeSports will also make each Friday night fixture available to view on their FreeSports Player within the UK and Ireland, those out with those territories will be able to watch the games on the Scottish Rugby website.
They first partnered with Scottish Rugby last summer to deliver every Sunday fixture and the grand final in the 2021 FOSROC Super6 and are the only free-to-air sports channel in the UK and Ireland. Formed in 2017, FreeSports are the sister channel of Premier Sports who broadcast the United Rugby Championship and French Rugby’s Top 14 competitions.
The broadcasting of the tournament will be produced by Glasgow-based production company QTV who were integral to the broadcasting of the inaugural FOSROC Super6 tournament in 2019.
Bringing the action to life will be the experienced commentary team of Stuart McFarlane, Paul Mitchell, Hugh Dan MacLennan, Jamie Lyall, Dale Clancy and Bruce Millar who will be joined by weekly guest co-commentators.
The FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series will commence this month, with all six participating teams playing each other once. The league will then be split with the teams who finished in the top half playing the teams who finished in the bottom half over three weekends of play-offs to determine the final placings.
“Although the FOSROC Super6 Championship in the summer will be our main competition, the FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series will play a crucial part in building towards the first full season of Championship fixtures.
Scottish Rugby Head of Performance Programmes, Grant McKelvey said: “We’re delighted that both FreeSports and BBC Scotland will be continuing as broadcast partners of the FOSROC Super6. To be able to broadcast all 21 matches to a worldwide audience is a significant landmark development for the competition.
“With cross-border opportunities on hold for this season due to the ongoing impact of the pandemic, we’re focused on delivering a quality season of rugby at this important level. The FOSROC Super6 Sprint Series gives all players and teams an opportunity to showcase themselves with the expansive brand of rugby we saw in the last edition, played in better, hopefully warmer weather.
“Once all Super6 clubs have managed to reset after the sprint we move into the block of 10 intensive fixtures for the FOSROC Super6 Championship, which culminates with the semi-final play offs for the top four placed teams in the league, followed by the grand final at the end of October.”
Bulls Head Coach Pete Horne said:
“With news of the fixtures being announced, the excitement is really building to get back to competitive rugby.
Our boys have worked incredibly hard since Christmas and with the culmination of the U20’s 6 Nations and the club domestic season we are looking forward to having our full squad back together, ready to rip into the sprint competition.
Having spoken with the other coaches, it sounds as if everyone has recruited well and their squads are in a better position than ever to take the competition to another level.
As Champions from last season, we know the target will be on our backs but it will drive us to work harder as we aim for more success.”
FreeSports can be found on Freeview HD channel 65, Sky HD channel 422, Virgin HD 553, TalkTalk 64, BT Vision channel 64 and on the online FreeSports Player.
The Ayrshire Bulls fixtures in full:
Round 1
Friday 15th April
Ayrshire Bulls v Boroughmuir Bears
KO: 7.45pm – Live on FreeSports
Round 2
Saturday 23rd April
Stirling County v Ayrshire Bulls
KO: 4.30pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Round 3
Saturday 30th April
Ayrshire Bulls v Heriot’s Rugby
KO: 4.30pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Round 4
Saturday 7th May
Southern Knights v Ayrshire Bulls
KO: 4.30pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Round 5
Saturday 21st May
Ayrshire Bulls v Watsonians
KO: 2pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Once the standings are confirmed, the remaining fixtures will be as follows:
Friday 27 May
2nd v 3rd, 7:45pm – Live on FreeSports
Saturday 28 May
5th v 6th, 2pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Friday 3 June
3rd v 1st, 7:45pm – Live on FreeSports
Saturday 4 June
6th v 4th, 2pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Friday 10 June
1st v 2nd, 7:45pm – Live on FreeSports
Saturday 11 June
4th v 5th, 2pm – Live on BBC iPlayer and Scottish Rugby website
Ayr get up-and-running with Ladies Day win
The new-look Ayr RFC took to their second game of the season at Millbrae against Watsonians on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, which saw a game of two very different halves as Ayr fought back in the second to secure an impressive victory over the Edinburgh outfit.
After only thirty seconds Ayr managed to open the scoring with an excellent try coming from full-back Johnny McCorkindale.
A good kick-off allowed Ayr to hit hard on the halfway line where Bova, seizing the opportunity, made a piercing run and broke free before his clever offload freed up McCorkindale to touch down for the try. Bova’s conversion was denied by the bar.
Watsonians responded in kind, managing to get over the line in the first attempt after picking themselves up from the early blow, but were thwarted as Ayr held them up. They couldn’t be kept out on the second attempt as Richardson finished a great attacking move from the visitors. Kerr Stoddart nailed the conversion.
Ayr continued pressuring - but the visitors continue to keep them out with strong defence. On the quarter mark, both divides of the Millbrae crowd had plenty to shout about with a very physical back and forth approach to the beginning of the first half.
Ayr managed to turn defence into attack when Zac Howard broke with Mccorkindale hot on his heels. The wing managed to collect his grubber before passing straight to the full-back who continued on a marauding run, beating off one, then two, then three defenders to score an emphatic try. Bova stepped up and added the extras.
Despite an excellent try being scored, a moment of panic struck as Ayr miscommunication at the back gifted the Edinburgh outfit a try, with Watsonians latching onto a loose pass and grabbing the points. The conversion flew wide and the score stood at 12-12.
Despite heroic defensive efforts from the likes of youngsters James Baird and Scott Clelland the Edinburgh side pushed through via Tom Richardson, finishing off a counter-attack. Stoddart’s kick skewed wide again leaving the score at Ayr 12-17 Watsonians.
HT AYR 12 WATS 17
As the second half kicked off, Ayr hit back in similar stunning style as Johnny McCorkindale popped upper his hat-trick, finishing the phases by crashing through the tackle in bull-like fashion to dot down.
Colliers’ introduction to the game injected that little bit more energy into the team, with scrums looking even better than before and Ayr looking ever so confident in the opening of the second half.
As they say, start as you mean to go on, and that's exactly what Ayr did with Zac Howard getting himself over the line and more points on the board. Jamie Bova drew the oncoming player in before he releasing Howard through a gap in the line.
Before you knew it they were in again! Bova decided to put his own stamp on proceedings by jiving inside to beat his man. He then obliged by comfortably finishing off and converting his try to the jubilation of the Millbrae faithful, making it Ayr 31-17 Watsonians
Watsonians looked to be feeling the pressure as they gave away yet another penalty, which this time Bova decided to kick for points, giving the home side a healthy 17-point lead. After coming agonizingly close just minutes earlier, Bova was delighted to orchestrate yet another great try for Ayr. Another piercing run from the 12 allowed James Armstrong to follow up and fend off the defenders to touch down. Bova finished off with a conversion.
Watsonians hit back with Stoddart making the yards before his teammate finished off the move by sliding through the backline and over the try line. Stoddart converted to make the score 41-24.
There must have be something in the water at half time, as James Pinkerton added yet another try to the mix when he cannoned his way through the defence after Andy Morrison’s pass caught him on the charge. The score sent the Ladies Day crowd into jubilation, capping off an excellent second half of rugby in Alloway.
Despite a heroic hat-trick from Johnny Mccorkindale and a bruising 80 minutes from work horse Cam Reece, it was Jamie Bova who picked up Slaters Menswear Man of the match with a towering performance. The centre’s threatening runs inspired Ayr’s second-half blowout.
Ayr travel to the capital next week as they face Boroughmuir on Saturday 14th September.