Massive effort to guarantee first place

This was always going to be Ayr’s toughest test of the season so far and in every facet of their game they could come away satisfied.

D e f e n s i v e l y t h e y contained the pacey Melrose attack, the line out went well, the set piece was rock solid and the patience in their build up was at times exemplary.

Melrose were worthy opponents and until the closing stages always posed the sort of threat which had foiled Ayr in the past but it was a happy coach Peter Murchie who summed up the game at the end.

He said: “Melrose are a quality side and it turned out to be as good a game as we had expected.

“We put in a massive effort and it was the best defensive display so far his season and equally importantly we took our chances after we had made the openings and broken down a very good defence.

“It was a top- drawer game and both sides contributed, the massive hits, the superb tries and the fact that the game was in the balance for a long time - that is what the crowd come to see.”

Ayr have Boroughmuir next up at Meggetland on Saturday then a toiling Hawick back at Millbrae on October 13.

Although they have disposed of their biggest rivals in Melrose, Currie and Heriots, there will be no slackening of in the quest for what will, likely, be the last Premiership title.