Depleted Ayr can build on crucial victory
The so- called ‘ bragging rights’ of Ayrshire rugby – if indeed, they could be deemed such, given the relative achievements of both Ayr and Marr – have fallen to Ayr, writes RON EVANS.
By ending Marr’s splendid run of home wins with their 19- 6 BT Premiership victory at Fullarton on Saturday, Ayr can now look forward to putting their poor start to the season behind them and consolidating a spot in the top four of the Premiership which will be crucial come the end of the regular season.
They ground out that win at Troon with several of their first- choice side unavailable and Calum Forrester touched on that after the game.
The Ayr coach revealed: “Injury and illness left us without six or seven front- line players so that was always going to be a test of the strength in depth in the squad. I think the whole team stood up well.
“It was what you would have expected from a derby match with a couple of tussles early on to set the tone.
“We knew that it was going to be a tight game but we got the win we wanted by sticking to the game plan.
“We knew about their excellent home record and how difficult it would be to get a result and I am sure that other teams will come a cropper at Troon before the season is out.
“With a big crowd and a really lively atmosphere, it was a great day for Ayrshire rugby.
“Hopefully people who came along just for this game found it an enjoyable experience and we will see them turning up for more games during the season.”
It is back to Millbrae for Ayr on Saturday with Heriot’s the visitors and with the Goldenacre men in second spot, three points ahead of Ayr, the chance for Pete McCallum’s men to take over that place is a massive incentive.
A lot depends on the strength of team Ayr will be able to put out but, with some of the young and less experienced members of the side having had a baptism of fire over the past few weeks and not been found wanting, the depth of the current squad is more than a little encouraging.