Ayr tops after league battle
Millbrae side hit the table summit
And then there was one.
Before the epic clash at Millbrae to decide who would go into week six of the Tennents Premiership as league leaders, Melrose and Ayr shared that top spot, separated only by the superior Melrose points differential.
At the end of a pulsating match there was a clear and solitary leader and Ayr’s performance merited that position.
With a festive atmosphere generated by the German food and beer available at the Octoberfest celebrations, a breezy but mild afternoon and a buzzing crowd, the stage was set for what was unquestionably the most significant game in the Premiership so far and neither side disappointed.
Ayr started at a fearsome pace and put the Melrose defence to the test immediately but there was no sign that the line would break until the 16th minute.
Grant Anderson, deputising for scrum half David Armstrong who was temporarily indisposed seemingly to have the top of his head bandaged back on, spotted a tiny gap in the solid Melrose
tryline defence and plunged over for Frazier Climo to convert.
Rory Hughes then picked up a softish yellow card but it was all Melrose needed as they exploited the extra man up front then swung the ball wide for Jason Baggott to squeeze in at the corner.
Climo banged over another penalty and so the score remained until referee Sam Grove- White was consulting his watch prior to blowing his half time whistle.
Not that the half had been dull, far from it, with mighty surges by Ayr lock, the outstanding Marshall Sykes through midfield then a sprint up the right touchline by Tommy Spinks which saw the ball switched left and a try denied by Stafford McDowall’s pass to Anderson being judged microscopically forward.
As half time loomed, Ayr struck with Kyle Rowe again prepared to come off his wing, put Anderson away on a mazy run on which only he seemed to know where it would take him before putting
Climo into space for a slam- dunk to the line to take Ayr in 17- 5 ahead at the break.
Melrose were never going to lie down and crashed back into contention after half time with a long spell of possession which ended with center Patrick Anderson going over for Jackson to convert and bring the margin back to five points.
A long stoppage for a knee injury to Melrose flanker Rauiridh Knott took a bit of momentum out of the Melrose game and Ayr again built the pressure which ended with McDowall selling an outrageous dummy before cantering over the line.
Climo converted, Melrose again struck back and started to put the Ayr defence under real pressure. Lock David Corbinici and No8 Blair Macpherson were putting in a hefty shift until Macpherson infringed to collect a yellow and, as they had done earlier, Melrose extracted full retribution with wing Bruce Colvine going over to bring the visitors back to only a score behind.
Hammer and tongs barely describes the ensuing spell of play as the game swung from end to end with chances coming for both but when Craig Jackson’s kick for Gavin Wood was collected instead by Danny McCluskey, not only was the danger averted but the initiative was back with Ayr.
Climo was high tackled, Melrose found themselves with a player in the bad boys room, Ayr put the ball into the corner and, as Melrose had done, took full advantage with a drive to the line and Macpherson claiming a much deserved try and the bonus point.
He may not have been on the scoresheet this week but Rowe made as huge contribution to the final try as he had to the second, leaping like a wide receiver to collect an Armstrong hoist then putting Gregor Henry away for try number five.
Climo converted, the top spot was secured and among everything else, Ayr made yet another successful defence of the Bill McLaren trophy.
Ayr Rugby dished out a sweet helping of revenge on champions Melrose.
The Millbrae side were beaten 16- 13 by Saturday’s visitors in last season’s Premiership final.
But Peter Murchie’s side beat the defending champions 38- 17 in convincing fashion when they came to Ayrshire.
Both sides went into the Tennent ’ s Premiership clash undefeated, with just Melrose’s superior points difference separating the sides.
However, Ayr knocked an impressive five tries past the Borders side.
Grant Anderson, Frazier Climo, Stafford McDowall, Blair Macpherson and Gregor Henry all got themselves on the scoresheet.
And Climo’s kicking boots were on fire as he converted all five tries, and he added a penalty on top of the scoring for a further three points.
The second XV bagged a hard- fought 39- 21 victory over Melrose Storm.
The win marked their first over the Storm since 2013ending a 10- game drought.
Meanwhile, Marr Rugby continued their winning run with a bonus point victory over Kelso.
The Troon side ran out 4512 winners.