Amazing comeback seals Ayr victory

AYR

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A last-minute try by their man of the match, tight-head Robin Hislop, converted with the final kick of the game by Scott Lyle, completed an amazing comeback win for Ayr in this BT Scottish Cup tie at Millbrae.

The home side made a ter- rible start, going behind to a Jamie Forbes penalty, a Tom Gordon try and a breakaway Ruaridh Smith try, converted by Forbes, as the visitors surged 15-0 ahead in the first quarter.

But a Grant Anderson try, off a ‘free ball’ converted by Lyle, and an unconverted Lewis Anderson try made it 12-15 at half-time.

Lyle then converted a Jonny Agnew try to put Ayr in front for the first time, but, inside the final ten minutes, a penal- ty try put Currie ahead and in sight of the quarter-finals.

However, even though Blair Macpherson was on the naughty step, Ayr would not be denied and pack power paved the way for Hislop’s late, late clincher.

Ayr repeatedly fell foul of French exchange referee Luc Romas, who also yellow-carded Gordon of Currie and Ayr’s George Stokes, after some firsthalf ‘handbags’, but, in the end, the home side’s resilience carried the day.