Forrester demands more of the same

There have been times this season when coach Calum Forrester must have despaired, watching his squad depart from the game plan, but not at the Greenyards on Saturday.

The no- frills forward display completely undid any Melrose aspirations of generating the sort of momentum which had brought them 12 successive wins and 13 did indeed prove unlucky for the Greenyards outfit.

The coach confirmed that, in the wake of the disappointment of the loss to Currie in the last match of 2017, the team had been ordered to up their work rate and effort.

He said: “We certainly got that and every player on the park gave it his all. The team know they have the ability to play and today they showed that confidence in themselves.

“The pack was outstanding and the way they dominated Melrose and set up the platform was the key to our win.

“We now go into our games with Stirling at Bridgehaugh, Marr at home and Heriot’s at Goldenacre before the end of January, knowing what we can and have to do.

“We have to back up this performance with results in those games but today has been a huge confidence booster so we simply have to build on that.”

Ayr travel to Stirling knowing that a win on the road is imperative and, although they won 46- 28 in an 11- try romp at Millbrae, that was in September and in the depths of winter.

A similar result to that at the Greenyards would suffice.