Bring on the Hawks for BT Cup semi
Ayr roll back the years for semis
Ron Evans A long time ago at Millbrae, one can recall the incomparable Roy Laidlaw turning out for Jed in a No10 shirt in order that his precocious successor Gary Armstrong could play at scrum- half.
There is the memory of a feisty lad by the name of John Skzudro taking Ayr apart single handedly as the Riverside Park men again inflicted defeat at Millbrae.
But, as the song tells us, those days are past now and Jed are certainly a very useful outfit in BT National 1, but not likely to shunt one of Scotland’s top sides into a sense of trepidation — although they were certain to give them the respect which they deserved.
Both Ayr coach Calum Forrester and captain Pete McCallum pointed out the potent threat which Jed carried behind the scrum and how that was best nullified by denying them the ball.
One name mentioned was wing Robbie Shirra- Gibb, who spent some time with Ayr and indeed was the man who got Jed on the board.
Ayr opened the scoring with a crafty support try by Will Bordill coming in off on Archie Russell’s break then prop Steven Longwell was the scorer off a well rehearsed line out drive.
Jed then showed what firepower they could unleash from their backs given good ball and when centre Gregor Young confounded the Ayr defence with a scorching break, his offload put Shirra- Gibb in for Robbie Yourston to convert.
Scott Sutherland was yellow carded by his namesake referee David and the thought occurred that at 14- 7, Jed were far from out of it but the Ayr machine rumbled, Bordill had the ball for all of 25 meters of line out drive before he flopped over for try two.
Ayr’s tactic of keeping the slippery ball as close as possible worked and although it didn’t make for pretty rugby, it was effective and McCallum finished yet another rumble with a try, Climo converted and the interval lead was 26- 7.
That Ayr added only two tries in the second half was the result of several factors, not least the pitch which stood up well but became horrendously heavy.
Heroic defence kept the score respectable but it was also an opportunity for Ayr to empty the bench which had, as for any cup tie, seven players itching for action.
Two tries came from Craig Gossman with Russell claiming an assist in each and with both conversions good, Ayr were comfortable winners but Jed showed terrific spirit in defence and some play from their backs which would not have disgraced the Premiership.
Maybe at times their discipline let them down but it is that fiestiness in cup ties which sometimes gets results but in the end, Ayr cruised through to their semi- final.
David Sutherland had an excellent game and, as a dentist by profession, he filled the role of whistler as adroitly as he no doubt fills the molars of his clients. His reputation as one of the most approachable referees on the circuit will inevitably ensure his welcome back to Millbrae.
Coach Forrester admitted: “Jed gave us a good game, the pitch was a real leveller and it got worse as the game went on. As a result, there were no great ball carrying exploits but we stuck to the game plan.”
That result means that a veritable feast of rugby is in store for Ayr fans after a couple of weeks break starting on March 25 with the BT Cup semi- final against Hawks followed on April 1 by the BT Premiership play- off semi final, also possibly against Hawks depending on the outcome of the Stirling v Melrose clash on Saturday.
Then on April 15 comes the BT play- off final and the whole thing culminates with BT Finals Day on April 22 at BT Murrayfield.