Double dream remains alive
Ayr tough out a bruising battle
AYR.................................................... 34 CURRIE CHIEFTAINS...................... 19
Ron Evans at Millbrae Ouch!
When the Tennents Premiership leaders and the side in second spot clash in the quarter finals of the Scottish Cup, you expect a bruising contest.
But after the coruscating performance by the Ayr pack, there will have been some sore and aching bodies heading back to Balerno on Saturday.
Games between Ayr and Currie have over the years, regardless of the undoubted quality behind the scrum, been decided by the forwards and Saturday was no different with Ayr dominating all but a spell before the break and the run down to the final whistle.
But it was a game which produced some scintillating rugby from both when they cut loose.
The return of prodigal Ayr favourite Ross Curle saw him take up a slot in the center as though he had never been away.
Tries from Frazier Climo and a beauty from Danny McCluskey put Ayr in early control, but that merely acted as a signal to Currie to up their game.
And when scrum half Charlie Shiel switched to Ben Robbins he cantered in unopposed.
Superb handling from Robbins, Robbie Nelson and Joe Reynolds put No8 Scott McGinley over for a try of the highest quality to ensure the contest stayed tight.
But the half ended with Climo slotting a penalty to give Ayr a five point cushion at 17- 12.
Currie had the misfortune to lose hooker and skipper Fergus Scott, another old Ayr favourite, and props Fraser Watt and Matias Sonzogni Argiro.
The way that all three were replaced confirms just the amount of superiority Ayr had established and the second half was but three minutes old when a familiar sequence took place.
Climo penalty to opposition 22m, Tommy Spinks imperious take at the line out, ball spread wide and an impertinent cut- out pass by Climo to put his partner in crime Grant Anderson over in the corner.
Good as that was, what energised the crowd like a can of extra strength Red Bull was a huge scrum, a massive gain and prop Steven Longwell celebrating as though he had scooped the Eurosides Lottery jackpot.
Despite three scum penalties in a row, territorially things were fairly even until with 12 minutes to go when Macpherson again took a hand and settled things with another try for Climo’s conversion to take the score to 29- 12.
Not to be outdone by his backrow team mate, Spinks went over to notch his reward for a splendid all round performance and at 34- 12 the signal went out to clear the Ayr bench and young Cammy Black made his top side debut.
Currie took advantage of the late changes as sub Steve Hamilton grabbed a consolation try, converted by Gregor Hunter.
It produced a more deserved scoreline for Currie although the margin in no way flattered Ayr.