Murchie left frustrated as Bulls’ title bid falters

AYRSHIRE Bulls missed the chance to make it a threeway tie at the top of Super6 yesterday as they went down 29-20 at home to the Southern Knights. A bonus-point win would have taken the Millbrae side level on 28 points with Watsonians and Heriot’s, but in the end it was the Knights who claimed the five-point victory thanks to a dominant final quarter after a tight first hour.

“The pitch was extremely heavy, so it made putting tempo into your attack very difficult,” Ayrshire coach Pete Murchie said. “I think if a team got a bit of a lead it was going to be very difficult to chase. We made way too many mistakes today.”

The Bulls did not help their own cause by getting Blair MacPherson and David Armstrong yellow-carded in the first half, which ended with them 13-17 down. They fought back to take the lead midway through the second 40, but two late scores made it three wins on the trot for the Borderers.

“The group are beginning to come together, they’re getting stronger, and they know each other better,” Knights coach Rob Chrystie said. “Can we get better than that performance? I believe we can, and that’s our focus.”

Watsonians could only pick up a losing bonus point at Bridgehaugh, going down 2724 to Stirling County, while Heriot’s joined them at the top with a commanding 53-10 win at home to Boroughmuir Bears.

Meanwhile, Marr remain on track for the league and Scottish Cup double after beating Highland 17-12 in their quarterfinal tie. Currie Chieftains also made it through to the semifinals, beating Hawick 19-12, while Edinburgh Accies booked their place with a 40-20 win over Jed-Forest. They will be joined in the draw by Heriot’s Blues, who won 32-30 at Gala.