New-boy Rowe’s brilliance calms Ayr nerves as they claim victory in Raeburn Place thriller
EDINBURGH ACCIES 17 AYR 30
Ayr head coach Pete Murchie hailed Kyle Rowe’s debut after the winger’s two tries helped them to secure a hard-fought victory at Edinburgh Accies on Saturday, writes Gary Heatly.
When Ayr built up an 18-0 lead just after the half hour it looked as if they would defeat the Premiership newcomers with a bit to spare at Raeburn Place.
Credit to Accies, though, who scored a try just before the break to breathe life into their efforts and then bagged two more in the second period to haul things back to 18-17.
Ayr were a bit jittery at that stage, but then Rowe, the new signing from Glasgow Hawks, scored a superb individual effort to give Ayr some wriggle room.
A fifth try came from No 8 Blair Macpherson to complete a 30-17 away day success.
And although Murchie admitted afterwards that there is plenty of work to do ahead of this coming week’s home meeting with Currie Chieftains, he was keen to praise 20-year-old Rowe’s efforts.
“Kyle is a very good finisher and his try in the first half gave him confidence,” the head coach said. “When Accies had got back to within a point we needed something special and it came from Kyle with that second try of his. He and other young players like [centre] Ollie Smith will have taken a lot from this experience.”
Young duo Robbie Davis and George Spencer impressed for Accies and head coach Derek O’riordan said: “The great thing for me is that we did not look out of place in this division.”
Tries from winger Jamie Bova, Rowe and Macpherson as well as a penalty by stand-off Scott Lyle helped Ayr build up the 18-0 firsthalf lead.
Centre Spencer scored Accies’ first try and, when winger Cameron Gray and then Spencer again went over, it was game on after 65 minutes. That was before Rowe danced through the home defence to score Ayr’s bonus point try. Macpherson’s second try made sure of victory.