STIRLING COUNTY 25 AYR 27

In terms of larceny, Ayr’s last-ditch victory was on the grand scale, a point acknowledged by coach Peter Murchie, writes Martin Laing.

He conceded that he thought the game was beyond his team as they trailed 25-15 with just a few minutes remaining. “We are delighted to get the win but at 10 points behind with 73 minutes on the clock, we were staring down the barrel,” he said.

“I feel like I aged a good couple of years during that last quarter. But we showed character and I’m pleased with the effort.”

It was a fair assessment. County had led throughout, going in front early on when Ali Mackie rumbled over for a try that Jonny Hope converted. Fraser Climo cancelled that lead with

a touchdown he goalled himself but Ewan Macgarvie and Andrew Orr stretched the advantage with unconverted tries. Paddy Dewhurst reduced the gap and Climo added a penalty but County looked to be in command.

Indeed, Stirling went further ahead soon after the break when Peter Jericevich dived over from a lineout and Hope added three points with a kick in 58 minutes.

It looked like the home side would hold out for the win until Steven Longwell finished off a drive, Climo adding the extras, and then Dewhurst crossed for the winning score.

Stirling coach Eddie Pollock could not disguise his despondency. “I thought we deserved to win the game,” he said. “We played really well and dominated a lot of the possession. At 10 points up with eight minutes to go, we should have won the game. But I’m proud of the players’ very good performance.”