David Graham at Millbrae:

Ayr made it two wins from two as they saw off Gala Rugby at Millbrae this afternoon with an emphatic 37-20 victory.

(Frazier Climo holds off the Gala defence. Photo – George McMillan).

The opening exchanges saw both sides battle for possession but it was the home side who created the first chance of the match inside 10 minutes, however the final pass after a free-flowing move was loose and dribbled into touch.

Four minutes later, Ayr had their first try of the afternoon.

An excellent attacking move saw club captain Cameron Recce hit the try line, with the conversion narrowly wide from centre Frazier Climo.

Just after the 20 minute mark, Gala levelled the score with full-back Matt Reid crossing the try line, Gala making no mistake with the conversion as they took a 7-5 lead thanks to fly-half, Craig Dods.

10 minutes later Ayr re-took the lead, as Frazier Climo fended off 2 Gala players with sheer strength and power to touch down beside the posts.

Bova took the conversion but for the home side it was narrowly wide once again, with Ayr now 5 points ahead.

That lead was soon 10 points minutes later as some excellent midfield play and quick passing saw scrum-half Adam McGowan score in the corner. Bova’s conversion was once again just wide of the posts.

On the stroke of half-time, Gala opted to kick after being awarded a penalty which Dods converted, to close the gap to 7 points. Some 90 seconds later the game was level as Marius Tamosaitis picked the ball up in the ruck and powered through for the line, converted once again by Dods.

(Man of the Match Frazier Climo hits the try line. Photo – George McMillan).

A quick start to the second-half saw forward Seth Rae score Ayr’s 4th try of the match. Frazier Climo this time denied by the post as his conversion clipped it and fell wide.

Gala were reduced to 14 early into the second period as Murray Wilson saw yellow for a high-tackle.

Without question the try of the afternoon on 50 minutes, Daniel McCluskey picked the ball up just after half-way. A quick-thinking kick over the Gala defence saw McCluskey in a foot-race with Gala full-back Matt Reid.

An unfortunate, or fortunate bounce saw McCluskey collect the ball and score in the corner, to the delight of the home crowd. Climo’s conversion was pulled wide, with Ayr 10 points ahead.

A Gala penalty, once again converted by Dods looked to have sparked the start of a comeback, however Ayr were then awarded their own penalty right in-front of the posts, with Climo converting.

The final minutes off the game saw Man of the Match, Frazier Climo, once again at the heart of the action with a superb fend then offload to McCluskey, who scored his second try of the afternoon.

Climo converted with ease to see Ayr finish 37-20 victors.

(The Ayr players lap up their victory. Photo – George McMillan).

Tries:

Ayr – Cameron Reece, Frazier Climo, Adam McGowan, Seth Rae, Daniel McCluskey x 2

Gala – Marius Tamosaitis, Matt Reid

Conversions:

Ayr – Jamie Bova, Frazier Climo

Gala – Craig Dods x 2

Penalties:

Ayr – Frazier Climo

Gala – Dods x 2

Yellows:

Gala – Murray Wilson

Ayr: 15. Richie Simpson, 14. Jamie Bova, 13. Harry Lynch, 12. Frazier Climo, 11. Daniel McCluskey, 10. Ross McCorkindale, 9.Adam McGowan; 1. Caleb Rae, 2.Stuart Collier, 3. Ben Cree, 4. Euan Hamilton, 5. Seth Rae, 6. Michael Kirk, 7. Cameron Young, 8. Cameron Reece (captain)

Replacements: 16. Gregor Lynch, 17. Logan Richardson, 18. Morgan Leatherbarrow, 19.Craig Brown, 20. John Fulton

Gala: 15. Matt Reid, 14. Fergus Johnston, 13. Murray Wilson, 12. Tim McKavanagh, 11. Ben Gill, 10. Craig Dods, 9. Lachlan Johnston; 1. Kyle Scott, 2. Jack Easson, 3. Marius Tamosaitis, 4.Cameron Tate, 5. Richard Tod, 6. Taylor Wilson, 7.Liam Scott (captain), 8. Stephen Cairns

Replacements: 16. Adam Keeler, 17.Lochie Milne, 18. Mark Amos, 19. Gregor Mein, 20. Harris Rutherford

 

Photos courtesy of George McMillan.