Adaptable champions clinch third place

WATSONIANS AYR

17

Ayr assistant coach Glen Tippett praised the way his side adapted to the conditions better and knuckled down to defeat Watsonians and clinch third place in the BT Premiership, writes Gary Heatly.

As a result of this win, the reigning champions will be away to Currie in the playoff semi-finals on 24 March. Watsonians finish fourth and will be away to Melrose in their last-four tie on the same day.

“This performance deserves a bit of special praise,” Tippett said. “The conditions were very tough but we adapted to them quickly and played the rugby that was needed.”

Ayr got off to a bright start, with converted tries by Frazier Climo and Jonathan Agnew making it 14-0 early on.

Michael Allen’s converted try gave Watsonians points on the board at 14-7 before Scott Lyle and Ali Harris traded penalties to make it 17-10 at half-time. A converted Sean Crombie try levelled the game but a converted Steve Longwell try and Lyle penalty sealed the points for Ayr.