Ayr Rugby Club youths are into Scottish Cup semis

Dec 26 2008

AYR youth rugby heads into the Christmas break with the under 15s, 16s and 17s all in favourable league positions and the under 15s through to the Scottish Cup semi-finals.

The last four place was staked with a 32-0 win away to Dunfermline. Ayr opened with a Blair Jardine try from a penalty move. Robin Hill and John Dewar added two more before the break while stand-off Danny McCluskey created space with a combination of piercing kicks over the opposing line, and darting runs.

Dunfermline started the second-half well but Ayr backs pressured the opposing line and Roo Bottomley was rewarded with an opportunistic try. The forwards worked well with man of the match Robbie Mackie having his best game of the season. Further tries came from Fraser Robertson with a fine run up the left wing and using his unique 'dummy' to score. Hill got a second with McCluskey converting one.

The under 15s now have a game in hand in West Division One where they currently sit second, one point behind West of Scotland.

The under 16s are two points behind West Division One leaders Dumfries while the under 17s have suffered from postponed matches particularly in the Glasgow Caledonian Cup where their tie away at Nairn has been called off twice. With two games in hand, they are four points behind the West Division One leaders.

Lack of games has been a major factor with the under 18s who will have plenty of rearranged fixtures to fulfil in the new year.

The S1s and 2s have re-arranged some fixtures as weather conditions have played their part in the loss of several games. In recent fixtures against Cumnock and Marr, there have been wins for the S2s and S1s.

The minis have suffered the most from frost and waterlogged pitches. After positive starts for most age groups at the West and Stewartry tournaments in September and early October, the weather has seen the abandonment of games and training through much of November and December. So they are hoping for improved conditions for Sunday mornings at Rozelle.