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The restart only provided more upset for Cartha. Straight from the off Ayr pushed their way back into the half before Gemma McIvor slipped through an attempted tackle and ran clear from 40 yards out. This time the conversion skewed wide.

The salt in the wounds came from Danni Hands. Having already asserted herself in the match, working in tandem with engine-room partner Emma Turner, Hands only needed a sniff of the line to charge home with no regard to the straggling tacklers. Shennan made no mistake to take a 19 point lead.

Bruised, but still fighting, Cartha managed to wrangle back control and keep their opponents at bay. As heavy rain plagued proceedings the error-count grew, with neither side adding to the scoreboard before half time.

For Ayr, a first-half flurry of knocks to seasoned campaigners such as Connie Griffiths and Erin McSorley unloaded the bench before the interval.

Half-Time: Cartha Queens Park Ladies 0-19 Ayr Ladies.

Playing poetically to the script of "a game of two halves", the home side returned to the pitch with a fire in their belly. In a mirror image to Ayr's scintillating start, Cartha struck three times within the first fifteen minutes. Their kicker, mimicking Shennan, Slotted her first and third conversion to tie the game with 55 minutes played.

Contrary to Ayr's earlier form, Cartha didn't stop at 19. A further two unanswered put them ten ahead, with Ayr's only chance to stop the bleeding a blunder over the line from Hands, who had now swapped to number eight.

A third score looked ominous for Ayr, but a late try from Catherine Clarke narrowed the deficit. Too little, too late.

Full-Time: Cartha Queens Park Ladies 34-26 Ayr Ladies.

Despite an enralling, and at points brutal, encounter the spirit of the day wasn't lost on anyone in attendance. All proceeds went to the Multiple Sclerosis Society, and both sets of players enjoyed a range of entertainment courtesy of great hosts. The result means Cartha take the Charity Bowl and will look to defend it in 12 months time when they travel back to Millbrae.

Pat MacArthur – The former Scotland 15s and 7s cap remains Pete Murchie’s right hand man. One of the remaining legends of ’09, Pat has put his stamp on the Ayr pack over the last few years and will hope they continue in their rich vein of form.

Frazier Climo – “It’s through the middle, the pink panthers are roaring” still rings through the ears of the Millbrae faithful and the talismanic ten will be responsible for passing some of the expertise he showed that day onto his teammates. He will look to lead on the pitch yet again, whilst picking up a coaching role under Murchie.

Alex Boyle – The newest face in Pete Murchie’s backroom staff, Boyle joins Ayr with thirteen years of experience in the S&C field. During this time he has worked with the likes of SportScotland, Tennis Scotland, the Scottish Women’s National Football Team and Scottish Rugby’s National Age-Grade System.

Gordon Kotze – A familiar face around Millbrae, Gordon Kotze coached the U18s for a four-year stint before taking the reins of the 2ndXV for the same time period. A former SRU new coach of the Year, Kotze will manage the logistical side of the Super6 squad alongside player communication. He ended his tenor with the 2ndXV last season, finishing in second place with a points difference of +260.

Douglas Stanley – The heartbeat of Ayr RFC for almost five decades, ‘Stanners’ joined Ayr in 1970. Since then he has done it all as a player, coach, ref and most recognisably team manager. Doug will reprise his role, putting to bed any murmurs of retirement.

Graham Hollins – Another return, ‘Doc’ has been heading up the club’s medical team formally for twelve years. Before then he spent three years assisting his predecessor Brian Scobie.

Jessica Alexander – After four years at the club assisting Helen Reid, Jessica will move into the head Physio role with the Super6 squad. Originally plying her trade at Ardrossan Accies, Jessica learned from the then-Glasgow Warriors doctor Gerry Haggerty.

Head Coach Peter Murchie is delighted with his appointments, stating: “Each individual brings their own strengths within their specific field.

“We have been working hard collectively in preparation for the start of the inaugural Super6 season”.

Shennan started her captaincy in remarkable fashion scoring within 30 seconds of their weekend fixture against Cartha. She also contributed three conversions in the 34-26 loss.

The role of vice will be taken on by Erin McSorley, who is also a former Community Trust Modern Apprentice.

Director Neil McNae was at Milbrae earlier in the week to launch the sponsorship, accompanied by a Fendt 724 tractor.

Neil, who’s daughter Sarah plays in the U12s, was attracted to the team after seeing the hard work put in by the youngsters: “This has been their first real year and the fact sixteen girls turned up wanting to play rugby and have all attended practically every training session, every game, it’s encouraging.

“Anything I can do to help, I’m happy with that”.

Neil also believes it is great that the success of the team might inspire other girls to pick up the oval ball: “I just think it is great. Why should the girls not be encouraged to play the game as well as men?

“Giving them as much opportunity as possible is the way forward and the fact Ayr are pioneering this is great”.

Connie Griffiths, Ayr’s Women’s and Girls Development Officer, was also in attendance for the launch and matched Neil’s ambition: “The future is bright. I want to see these girls progress through the age grades to one day be representing the senior women’s squad”.

Away from the pitch Connie also sees how the U12s team is developing individuals: “It’s an age where the girls are going from primary to secondary, so they might be splitting up from close friends. This team allows them to have a consistent group of girls they see weekly and can chat with and learn from”.

Speaking of his new captain, Fenwick said: "Gregor's tireless work rate is fantastic. He is a leader both on and off the field and someone the full squad and coaching staff have a lot of respect for.

"To have someone of his stature and ability leading the Club XV next season speaks volumes of the ambition this group have".

Stuart Fenwick's first action at the helm of Ayr RFC will come in August with three friendlies, all of which are away from home.

10/08/19 - Ardrossan Accies 1s & 2s vs Ayr RFC 1s & 2s. K/O time TBC.

17/08/19 - Newton Stewart 1s & 2s vs Ayr RFC 1s & 2s. K/O time TBC.

24/08/19 - Banbridge 1s & 2s vs Ayr RFC 1s & 2s. K/O time 14.30.

Hot off the historic win, Head Coach Peter Murchie praised the efforts of his men: “We found a way to win. All of the momentum was against us in that second half, we lost the ref in the scrum, our line-out was poor, but we found a way to get back into it”.

Speaking of the season as a whole, and how players have taken their chances, Peter said: “It has been a real story of guys stepping up.

“Your Ruairidh Sayce’s, your Harry Warr’s – Just stepping up and fitting in and now being some of our top performers.

“It’s an amazing achievement and I am really proud of all the guys throughout the year. It is an amazing way to finish with what is happening next year [Super 6]”.

Ayr got the ball rolling after four minutes when Kyle Rowe darted over out wide. An audacious leap into touch looked sketchy but after a second review it was clear Rowe managed to acrobatically ground the ball with one hand before being bundled out by the attempted tackler.

A Heriots penalty shortly after narrowed the gap before Robbie Smith bullied his way to the line for Ayr’s second.

As the break creeped ever closer Heriots managed to muster up two scores of their own to take the lead.

Half-Time: Ayr RFC 12-15 Heriots.

For much of the second half Ayr couldn’t keep hold of possession. Heriots had the better of them at set-pieces and were making good inroads with their tails up. Pressure was turned to points when Ross Jones stretched the lead from the kicking tee, before Jack Blain finished strongly out wide to bring the scoring to 12-25 after 52 minutes.

In the hunt for revival, Ayr turned to their bench. The inclusion of Robbie Nairn, Alfie North and Alex McGuire produced immediate go-forward and with the game now in its’ later stages Ayr began to march.

With 15 minutes left a half break from Nairn proved enough to unleash the supporting Climo. A dive under the posts was followed by a routine conversion to make it a one score game.

Ten minutes later they crossed again. Ayr’s talisman Grant Anderson broke quickly from the ruck to the find Stafford McDowall on his outside. McDowall weaved in and out to bamboozle the last defender and score in the corner.

A wide conversion to take the lead fell short for Climo and the sea of pink in the west stand which had bellowed for 75 minutes went hush. Had Ayr’s chance came and gone?

The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Heriots were in possession at Ayr’s 22 with ten seconds on the clock before the palms of Blair Macpherson took hold of the ball and forced a penalty.

Although now in possession, the clock had turned red and Ayr were the wrong side of a 60-metre charge.

Climo found touch and Alex McGuire found his man at the line-out.

A freight train of a rolling maul set its’ sights on glory and pushed down the field. All looked lost when Heriots ushered it to touch but the refs hand shot up for an infringement.
Poetically from the same spot as Climo’s earlier miss, Ayr’s dreams of a double came down to one last roll of the dice - cue the coolest man in the stadium.

As Climo stood over the ball and took aim at the posts a silence subdued the stadium. All of a sudden, the squawks of crows seemed louder, coughs heavier and the scattering of “shhhssss” deafening.

The kick split the uprights without hesitation, igniting roars and, irresponsibly, a minor pitch invasion. Ayr were now double champions in Peter Murchie’s first year at the helm.

Club captain Peter McCallum hoisted the cup in front of Ayr’s faithful fans to call time on an incredible season.

Head coach Peter Murchie, in his first year at the club, left no leeway when it came to expectations and in pre-season set the goal of winning it all. When the business end of proceedings came around it was a double header against Heriots that stood in his way. Two successful afternoons, one at Millbrae and the other BT Murrayfield, resulted in both league and cup success and Ayr's second ever double.

The ladies also enjoyed a successful campaign, winning the Women's National 1 league and being promoted to the new-and-improved Premiership. A solid Sarah Beaney Cup campaign took them to the semi-finals stage.

The Ayr/Wellington U18s also bagged silverware in the West Cup, but fell agonisingly short of the National Youth Cup title, losing in injury time to Boroughmuir.

The Princess Suite provided the perfect setting to celebrate all of the clubs achievements, where individuals were awarded an array of trophies for their commitments to their respective teams.

Club captain Peter McCallum also took the opportunity to say thank you and good bye to some of this years' leavers, with Josh Currie and Bill Murrie closing a chapter on Millbrae RFC, however the book still remains open.

Many thanks to Peter Laverie for expertly hosting proceedings.

Full list of winners:

1XV

Player of the Year - Frazier Climo. Players' Player of the Year - Frazier Climo. Breakthrough Player of the Year - Harry Warr and Ruaridh Sayce. Young Player of the Year - Kyle Rowe. Leavers - Robbie Smith (Bedford Blues) & Tommy Spinks (Glasgow Accies)

Ladies

Player of the Year - Erin McSorley. Players' Player of the Year - Catherine Shennan. Breakthrough Player of the Year - Helen Thomson. Young Player of the Year - Danni Hands

2XV

Player of the Year - Euan Hamilton. Players' Player of the Year - Camie Black. Breakthrough Player of the Year - James Pinkerton. Young Player of the Year - Craig Miller

U18 Boys

Player of the Year - Conrad Lynch. Players' Player of the Year & Top Try Scorer- Dylan Wilson. Breakthrough Player of the Year - Euan Bulloch. Club Man of the Year - Jason McGuinness

U18 Girls

Player of the Year - Cieron Bell. Players' Player of the Year - Sophie Kerr

U16s

Players' Player of the Year - Connor Wilson. Player's of the Year - Lewis Doak and Adam McGowan. Breakthrough Player of the Year - Ben Lewis

As part of the partnership, four UWS students will benefit from newly created undergraduate internships giving them the opportunity to work closely with Ayr Rugby across a number of areas including strength and conditioning, performance analysis and marketing and promotion. These unique internships will form part of the students’ degree programmes at UWS and will allow them to gain experience at all levels within a competitive club, as well as supporting Ayr Rugby in key areas.

The club is also keen to develop learning modules with UWS for youth rugby, adult rugby and Super 6 players across a variety of areas including mental health, adopting a growth mind-set and social media training, as well as more classic sporting topics such as nutrition and strength and conditioning.

Ayr Rugby will also benefit from access to UWS’ cutting-edge facilities including its Biomechanics Lab and high-spec Environmental Chamber at its Lanarkshire Campus. Added to this, the club will tap into research and expertise from UWS academics in the fields of Sport Coaching & Development and Sport & Exercise Science.

Accompanying the three former Lions to launch the collaboration were UWS Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Craig Mahoney, Ayr Rugby Club President Billy McHarg and Paul Davidson, Chairman of Ayr Community Rugby Trust. Joining them were two of the four UWS students who will benefit from the newly created internships, third year Sport & Exercise Science students Keira Lindsay and Mairead Slevin.

Professor Craig Mahoney expressed his delight on the partnership with: “We are delighted to be able to announce our partnership with Ayr Rugby. This is an excellent fit for us as sport plays a key role at UWS and is proven to be extremely beneficial to the physical and psychological health and wellbeing of students. To be able to work closely with one of Scotland’s top rugby clubs is truly exciting.

“The expertise of our academics, combined with access to our fantastic facilities, will ensure Ayr Rugby coaches and players are able to further maximise their already stellar coaching, training and development. Whilst the newly created internships will give selected students the chance to make a real and tangible difference to a highly successful rugby club.”

Scottish Rugby’s Sean Lineen, who is leading the on-field delivery of Super 6 said: “This is a significant new strategic partnership which will benefit both Ayr and UWS through shared knowledge and opportunities. One of the ambitions of Super 6 is to encourage the clubs involved to develop mutual partnerships with tertiary education and this agreement between Ayr and UWS is a great example of how this new initiative can open doors and generate a range of business opportunities.”

President Billy McHarg is also excited about what the future holds: "This is a real honour for Ayr Rugby to be working in partnership with UWS. As Super 6 is a new and exciting competition with the aim of improving playing, coaching and refereeing standards, we see UWS as a perfect partner to work with, so we can learn, improve and take the whole club and surrounding areas to the next level.

"With UWS being located in the centre of town, there is a real opportunity for Ayr Rugby and the Trust to build on our community work and improve the way we contribute towards health, education and employment through rugby for the whole community".

Adair returns to the club after retiring from Rugby with neighbours Marr. Before then the Hooker had a successful time at Ayr, playing his part in the historic year's of 2008 and 2013.

Speaking of the appointments, Fenwick said: "I am over the moon to be supported with two great men who can pass on their experience and knowledge to the boys coming through. Robbie is obviously still a professional rugby player and to have him on board is a real advantage. I've known Stephen for years and it's great to see him back at Millbrae.

"It is a huge honour to take up this role with Pete (Murchie) heading up the Super6. I coached a lot of the boys who will feature for the 1XV at U18s so it is great to already have those relationships established".

Andrew Duncan was announced Women's head coach at the turn of the year, and the U18s will be taken on by Bryan Crossan and Colin Duck.

The sun arrived on Saturday just in time for the youth tournament. Stirling County ladies showed their mettle to win the first trophy of the day, followed by Ayr/Wellington in the U14 boys. The main tournament showcased clubs from across the country clash for the Land O'Burns trophy. In the women's category Stirling County managed to edge out Ayr, before the home side redeemed themselves with victory in the mens, toppling reigning champions Newton Stewart.

There was options available on the Saturday night with the Champions League final on in the club and live music in the marquee. At eleven DJ Stefan Janik kicked off the afterparty mixing tracks into the early hours of the night.

The event gains more exposure every year becoming an unmissable attraction on the Ayr social circuit.