Ayr Rugby Club welcome Welsh double header

Feb 11 2011 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

THE Welsh weekend takes on a whole new meaning at Millbrae in the next few days.

First up on Thursday at 7pm there is the annual contest for the McCall Cup against old foes Llanishen. Then on Saturday, the British and Irish Cup finally comes to Millbrae (writes RON EVANS).

After three games on the road, Ayr take on Llandovery (kick off noon) in the match postponed from away back last December and a vital one it is.

With a win, a draw and a defeat in those three games away against Pontypridd, Birmingham and Rotherham, Ayr go into the first of their two home ties. Two wins could see them into the quarter-finals of the cross border competition and although they were without a game last Saturday, they should be well prepared.

The hard fought win over Boroughmuir a week ago on Saturday and with key players in action in France in the club international last Friday should see Kenny Murray's squad in prime form to take on the Welsh but they will be under no illusions about the task facing them.

Llandovery are third bottom of the Principality League and their record since the turn of the year has not been too great. On January 3, they lost 25-18 at home to Cross Keys and the following week went down 41-33 to Glamorgan Wanderers away then in the British and Irish Cup they lost27-6 to Doncaster at home.

Last Saturday they won 14-12 in the cup against Llanharen who are in the bottom half of the SWALEC East League One, a two point win against a side from a division below them perhaps but they will come to Millbrae determined to fly the flag for their country, just as Ayr have done on their forays into England.

The noon kick-off is not the best of times for such a massive match, Ayr's biggest at home this season, and the team will need all the encouragement they can get in a competition in which they have done Scotland proud so far.

Even if you are planning to get to Murrayfield later, try to get to Millbrae to give the team your support.

You know, some people will go to any lengths to make a point. As I wrote last week, Ayr skipper Damien Kelly tried to persuade me that his try against Boroughmuir was from 50 yards out rather than about seven so just to show that he could go that distance, he ran in an interception try from the half way line against the French in Orleans in the club international.

It was in vain as the Scots went down 30-18 but with two tries disallowed, they came away with their heads up ready for the visit of the Irish in March.

Team manager Iain Rankin said: “It was a fantastic match and a great advert for club rugby. There was very little between the sides but the French kept the upper hand with a driving maul which we found hard to deal with."

It isn't often that someone jumps a complete age group but that is exactly what Ayr's Mark Bennett did when he was selected for Scotland U20 to face the French in Caen.

He celebrated his 18th birthday with the only score in the 49-5 defeat but as so often happen at age group level, the Scots were up against hugely experienced opposition.

Coach Peter Wright wasn't too despondent and felt the side had acquitted themselves well and could look forward to putting in a performance in their next match.

The Scots are in action again on Friday night at Stirling against the Welsh and will look to put the French defeat behind them .

Ayr secretary Gus McKay tells me that tickets have become available for the Scotland v Wales international on Saturday and anyone buying them from the club will have the offer of a free trip to Edinburgh in the Llanishen bus (but bring your own beer!)