Heartbreak for the Bulls as Watsonians triumph after extra time in Super 6 final
IT was heartbreak for the Ayrshire Bulls on Sunday as the Millbrae men fell to defeat in the final of the 2022 FOSROC Super 6 Championship at Murrayfield.
Three extra-time tries saw opponents Watsonians triumph 43-24 after the two sides were tied at the end of an enthralling clash at the DAM Health Stadium.
The Bulls grabbed the game’s opening try in the 17th minute, when a driving maul rumbled close to the line in the left corner, and two phases later inside centre Andy Stirrat burst through a tackle and dived under the sticks.
And the Bulls had a second try in the 24th minute; after a lineout on the right, winger Aaron Tait found a lovely line to receive a short pass and cut through the defence, the ball grounded near the posts once more.
Two conversions gave the Millbrae side a 14-3 advantage, but Watsonians hit back and reduced the leeway to 14-10 at half-time, building up several phases inside five metres before Bobby Bratton fought his way over.
The Myreside men began the second half in the ascendancy, but some strong Bulls defending kept their opponents at bay – and the Bulls grabbed the first try of the second period when Will Hunt stabbed through a kick which was gathered by Eli Caven, the left winger finishing off the move after a period of pressure from his side.
Watsonians reduced the deficit with a try of their own in the 56th minute; this time it was Harrison Courtney who wrestled over the line from short range.
But an excellent 50-22 from Will Hunt in the 67th minute gave the Bulls relief, and they took full advantage with a try. The ball was shipped from right to left and Caven crossed for his second try of the evening as the Ayrshire side opened up a 24-17 lead.
With four minutes left, though, Watsonians levelled the match again when Gregor Scougall grounded the ball under the posts. The resulting conversion levelling the match.
More stout defending by the Bulls kept their opponents out in the final play of normal time, but it was Watsonians who grabbed the upper hand on 85 minutes, Lewis Berg finishing off a good move to give the Edinburgh club the lead for the first time.
And the Bulls were dealt a hammer blow three minutes later when captain Cal Davies crashed over from the back of a driving maul.
That left the Millbrae side needing two scores in the final period of extra-time, but after a spell of pressure the ball was lost forward and Watsonians took the ball up the other end, with Campbell Wilson grabbing the deciding try after the ball was turned over to complete victory for the Myreside men.
Ayrshire Bulls: 15 Liam McNamara, 14 Aaron Tait, 13 Robert Beattie, 12 Andrew Stirrat, 11 Eli Caven, 10 Richie Simpson, 9 Jordan Lenac, 1 Andrew Nimmo, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Michael Scott, 4 Ed Bloodworth , 5 Rory Jackson, 6 Archie Smeaton, 7 Tim Brown , 8 Blair MacPherson (capt).
Replacements: 16 Alex McGuire, 17 William Farquhar, 18 Calvin Henderson, 20 Jamie Drummond, 21 Gavin Wilson, 25 Thomas Glendinning, 23 Will Hunt, 24 Cam Jones.