Nov
14
Match Report: Craig Dawson
Photos: Dave Patterson
Boroughmuir suffered their sixth strait league defeat with Ayr taking revenge for our victory at Millbrae by recording a 10-32 win at Meggetland today.
It was top of the table Ayr against a freefalling Muir. In mitigation Muir have some key players on the injury list and some great success with other players on International duty. Magnus Bradbury has been called into the Scotland Sevens Squad and skipper Andy Rose is on international duty with Zimbabwe. A great achievement for both players.
It was also interesting to note that Ayr had five Glasgow players in their squad including the entire front row while Boroughmuir had only two Edinburgh pros available.
Ayr started the game strongly and dominated both possession and territory in the first half but good Muir defence kept them in the game. Ayr struck first with prop George Hunter going over for the first try converted by Fraser Climo after 15minutes. Muir however responded well and after winning a penalty under the posts decided to the run the ball rather than kick the points a were rewarded when the ever hungry Jordan Edmunds scored a well worked try which Dougie Steele converted to tie the score 7-7 with 30 minutes gone.
Ayr responded by putting Muir under pressure for the last 10 minutes of the half. Great Muir defence kept them at bay but after a number of scrums on the Muir line Ayr moved the ball wide with Ross Curle gong under the posts in injury time for a converted try to give them a narrow half time lead of 7-14.
Ayr stared the second half as they had finished the first putting Muir under pressure and a great break by Ross Curle who only failed to score when Jordan Edmunds bundled him to touch just short of the line. With 55 minutes gone Ayr were awarded a kickable penalty which Fraser Climo converted to increase their lead to 7-17.
More Ayr pressure resulted in another penalty which Climo again converted to stretch the lead to 10-20. Muir were struggling to win enough ball to put some phases together and with Ayr continuing to dominate the game it was no surprise when replacement wing Graham Fiskin went over for an unconverted try to make the score 10-25.
With five minutes left Muir were running everything in an attempt to get a bonus point out of the game however a loose pass resulted in an interception try for replacement Danny McCluskey converted by Climo to give Ayr a 10-32 victory.
One can clearly see why Ayr are top of the league and they put on a great performance to dominate Muir but this was by no means an easy game for them.
Muir defended strongly especially in the first half but with Ayr dominating the scrums and the Muir line out still giving up to many turnovers it was difficult for Muir to get into the game. Unfortunately Muir remain third bottom of the league seven points clear of Gala.
We have two tough matches coming up away at Currie next week and at home to Melrose on the 28th but if we regain our mojo and return to our early season form a top four finish is not beyond us.
In other results:
Boroughmuir Magic 2s 18 Ayr 2nd XV 24:
Tries from Gavin Welsh and Alasdair McLaurin.1 conversion and 2 penalties from Iain Martin
Boroughmuir Bears 57 RHC 2nd XV 3
