The Ayrshire Bulls managed to scrape victory over Stirling County at Bridgehaugh on Sunday, battling the elements as much the opposition. The rain did its' best to deter any attacking rugby, but the Bulls managed to muster a solo try and penalty to secure a 0-8 victory.
Speaking afterwards, Peter Murchie was happy with how his men managed the conditions: "We learnt a lot. We learnt that guys are willing to dig in for each other. "We have got guts". A Ross Thompson penalty was the only difference for majority of the match, before Nico Griffiths sealed the win with a score five minutes from the final whistle. Even then the score came in benny hill fashion, with neither side mustering a convincing threat for the full eighty. The ball spewed out the back of a ruck on County's try-line for Griffiths to legally dive over and get a palm on the ball. There was a brief period of confusion before the ref confirmed the score with his assistants. Ross Thompson was named FOSROC Man of the Match, after weathering (quite literally) the storm better than his Stirling counterparts. The sides don’t get much of a break from each other, with the two going at it again this Saturday. Ayr are the hosts this time, welcoming Stirling to Millbrae at 14.00. It was similar fortunes for the Club XV the day prior, securing victory over Boroughmuir at Millbrae. A 26-12 win got Stuart Fenwick's men back on track after a disappointing month of November. At the final whistle, Stuart said: "This feels much better. The spirit amongst the boys has been good as well, it is a big weight off their shoulders getting that win. "It would have been really easy to batten down the hatches in those conditions, but we stuck to our game plan and continued to play rugby". Matt Donaldson was named Slaters Menswear Man of the Match. They will look to build momentum into this Saturday’s fixture against league leaders Biggar. They play after the Bulls on the 1st XV pitch at 16.00. The Ladies team lost on Sunday to Cartha in the Tennent's Premiership Play-offs. Despite a close first half, with Cartha leading 7-0 at the break, the hosts broke away to secure a 33-0 win and league safety. The Ladies will now face Heriots this weekend in a relegation shootout. A neutral venue is still to be decided.