Robynn’s No. 1
Ayrshire’s rugby stars had to take an online bow this year at their end of season awards.
And the top talent at Ayr and Marr have both been honoured for their campaigns.
Robynn Gibson ( pictured) took the spoils for the Ayr Ladies as the Millbrae club held their virtual presentation via Zoom.
Ayr Rugby signed off their 2019/ 20 season with a virtual awards presentation on social media to celebrate the success of their senior sides.
The prizes were announced live on Twitter with many of the recipients watching along on Zoom conference calls with teammates and coaches.
The awards allowed their coaches to pay homage to some of the outstanding campaigners in their squads.
Club XV
It was a season of new starts for much of Ayr and Stuart Fenwick can be proud of the efforts of his youthful Club XV.
Ayr’s first XV took to life in National 1 like a duck to water before a string of injuries hampered results.
The squad seemed to have turned a corner and were building up a run of form before the season came to a premature end in light of Covid- 19.
One of the ever- present forces in the squad was Seth Rae, and his tireless work ethic around the park earned him player of the year honours.
Zac Howard was named players’ player in a season that has been his coming of age.
From a plucky winger capable of a line break to the team’s captain and leader.
One of the success stories has been the emergence of tighthead prop Ben Cree, and being named breakthrough player of the year will have come as no surprise to the Millbrae faithful.
An unstoppable force with ball in hand and an immovable object at scrum time, it’s hard to fathom that was just his first year of senior rugby.
Ayrshire Bulls
His name has been in lights since impressing with Scotland Under20s, and Ollie Smith earns another accolade with Peter Murchie naming him his player of the year.
The FOSROC Stage 3 Academy star has brought a consistent energy and would have been nailed on to make an impact in the play- offs had they gone ahead.
Aussie import Sam Kitchen was voted players’ player of the year.
The bullish hooker epitomised the team’s image and topped the FOSROC Super6 try scoring leader board.
Young prop Michael Scott was named breakthrough player of the year.
Ayr Ladies
Andy Duncan named Robynn Gibson his player of the year after the centre led her side in tries scored through a tough campaign.
A scattering of hat- tricks in the regular season alone meant even when games didn’t fall in Ayr’s favour, Gibson remained a constant source of points.
Skipper Catherine Shennan scooped up players’ player of the year with the majority vote.
In what was her first year at the helm, Shennan showcased strong leadership and remained the heartbeat of the backline, conducting play predominantly at fly- half with the odd appearance in the midfield.
A newer face to the Millbrae supporters, Louise Downie was named breakthrough player of the year after a terrific first season in pink and black.
The versatile back joined Ayr Ladies through partnership.
Alongside the senior teams, Ayr also celebrated the winners from the Under- 16s and Under18s, as well as reserve side Ayr/ Millbrae.