Ayr Rugby Club's title march halted by frost

Dec 12 2008

SATURDAY was a day of controversy, confusion and drama and that was without a ball being kicked at Myreside anyway.

Ayr headed to the capital for their Scottish Hydro Electric Premier Division 1 match against Watsonians with a re-jigged back division, Frazier Climo having damaged his back in training and, in the opinion of the coach, it was not worth taking the risk of further damage to the player who has contributed 156 points so far this season in 12 (and a half!) games.

Old warhorse and Ayr favourite of some seasons ago Stewart Magorian, back from his global rugby odyssey, was in at centre and the fact that James Eddie and Callum Forrester were available from the bench gave the Ayr pack a formidable look for what was to be a vital match in the quest for the Premier 1 title.

On arrival at Myreside, a pitch inspection revealed nothing which would not have been obvious much earlier in the day, certainly before Ayr embarked, but in the opinion of referee Rob McKinnon, the pitch was not playable.

The official is also reported to have suggested that frost coming down after the three o'clock kick off would increase the danger but if that was a factor, why not start the match with everyone aware that abandonment was a possibility?

Coach Kenny Murray said: "It was a big disappointment. The referee felt that one or two patches were too hard and his decision is final but we felt that the ground was playable and so did some of the Watsonian officials and even their own players were surprised because they were warming up when we arrived.

“However, as soon as the decison was made, the team's focus was on next week’s game so we will put this behind us and concentrate on next Saturday."

Then came the drama as the news filtered through from Goldenacre. Second placed Heriots had thrown away a 26-0 lead to go down to Stirling County by 32-26 and although they picked up two bonus points, that result means that Ayr are six points clear with a game in hand.

So what impact will that have on the monumental top of the table clash looming at Millbrae on Saturday?

"It won't change the nature of the game as far as we are concerned" said the coach. "However, it now means that Heriots are looking for other teams to beat us as well and that puts them under even more pressure coming to Millbrae."

Ayr will at full strength for Saturday’s contest and, having beaten Heriots 29-25 at Goldenacre in September, find themselves in the possibly uncomfortable position as favourites but they have to hold their nerve and prove that favourite tag correct, a point emphasised by the coach.

"It is another huge game for us and now each match is like a cup final so we have to focus on every game as it happens and it is crucial that we don't get nervous this week but relax and go out and play rugby. If we can do that then we will cause Heriots problems but there is no doubt that the team will

be up for this one."

They most certainly will and they deserve a big crowd to cheer them on, the support from the touchline having been mentioned by several of the players as being like an extra man in their campaign so far this season making

Fortress Millbrae – a venue feared by all who travel there.