Glory year for Ayr Rugby Club

Jan 1 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

IT’S that time of year to reflect and whether now, or in years to come, 2009 will be recalled as the most memorable in the long history of Ayr Rugby Club.

Regardless of what the club achieve in the future, nothing will compare to the day when Ayr were crowned champions of Scotland or to the memories of the matches which led up to the game against Edinburgh Accies which clinched the Scottish Hydro Premier One title.

Heriot’s were still in the promotion race when they arrived at Millbrae and remained in the game until five minutes from the end when Flo Marin's interception try to go the length of the field was a clincher of the highest order.

As has been mentioned before, your correspondent was on the phone from the Millbrae press box to New Zealand as that one was scored and the listener at the other end, a fervent Ayr fan, was able to enjoy the crowd reaction as the wee French winger scorched away for the touch down. Truly a 'try which went round the world.'

Of the games prior to the match against Edinburgh Accies, probably the one which will dwell longest in the mind is the clash with Selkirk at Millbrae. The Souters needed the win to stay in the title race while many at Millbrae regarded it as the crucial contest on the way to the ultimate prize.

Even First Minister Alex Salmond was enthralled by the battle which saw Selkirk hold on until half time with the score 13-0 before Flo Marin added to Ryan Holland's two first half tries to take the points.

Damien Kelly was missing from the line up against Boroughmuir and Ayr were thankful to come away with a13-13 draw but that saw them within touching distance of the title and the chance to do it in front of their home crowd.

And so to that famous day, Edinburgh Accies pitching up determined not to be the side to hand the title to Ayr. Tries from the Wilsons, Andy and Jeff ensured that the huge crowd were not to be disappointed as Ayr scrambled home with a 20-10 scoreline.

The celebrations have been well documented but in the midst of the jubilation there were several, some sadly no longer with us, who took a quiet moment to reflect on the long, long journey which had taken Ayr to a position many had believed unattainable.

The biggest question of course, as summer drifted into autumn, was 'how do you follow that?' Several key players from the title winning side had moved on, Flo Marin and Julien Montoro back to France, Richard McCallum to study abroad, Jeff Wilson back to Australia, Stewart Magorian to retirement and Pat MacArthur to the professional ranks with Glasgow Warriors.

With the recruitment of Mark Stewart and Ross Curle to form a formidable centre partnership, the tireless Jono Crossan filling the back row gap left by Wilson and Jamie Hunter making a more than useful job of assuming AJ MacFarlane's No9 jersey during his spell in the southern hemisphere, Ayr embarked on the defence of their title and the question posed above is now being answered - 'by going for two in a row.'

Going into 2010, Ayr trail leaders Currie by five points but with a game in hand. Melrose lie in third having played two games more than Ayr but still a threat.

In the new year Ayr face the challenge of border raids to the Greenyards to face Melrose and Selkirk at Philiphaugh before the game which could decide the destination of the title, against Currie at Malleny.

We will look next week at the prospects for the second half of the season but perhaps the biggest part of the learning curve for Ayr has been in the British and Irish Cup.

The first match in the cross border tournament against Doncaster down in darkest Yorkshire was a massive wake-up call to Kenny Murray's troops as the professional outfit won 32-7.

Ayr showed they were quick learners by providing yet another memorable Millbrae match when, only five days later they beat Rotherham 28-13, playing what Murray describes as 'the best first half of rugby since I came to Ayr."

So, a host of wonderful memories and a fantastic few months of rugby to look forward. But as the old year bids farewell, your correspondent wishes all connected with Ayr and everyone who has an occasional glance at his scribblings a happy, peaceful; and healthy 2010.