Ayr keep pace at the summit

Published on Saturday 14 November 2009 20:57

Ayr 26 Watsonians 5

TWO tries in each half may have been enough for Ayr to clinch the bonus and maintain parity on points with Currie at the top of Scottish Hydro Premier 1 but Watsonians made things difficult.

Ayr got the perfect start with lock Scott Sutherland crashing over after two minutes but with Harris Grant and Stuart McInally putting in big hits Ayr were unable to get back into the danger zone.

It took a piece of individual brilliance by Ayr's Frazier Climo to prise open a gap and his inside pass saw fullback Grant Anderson in support for the second try.

Climo converted but the big Watsonian pack started to rumble and, after 25 minutes, sustained pressure saw wing Grant Somerville go over in the corner. The kick was missed but had Watsonians taken their chances, the half time scoreline could have been much different from the 12-5 favouring Ayr.

Into the second half, AJ MacFarlane scored a try but it took until ten minutes from time before Sutherland grabbed his second and the bonus. Climo converted both but Watsonians can look at this display and despair at their league position.

Melrose 43 Dundee HSFP 9

MELROSE produced a dazzling six-try performance for a crushing victory over a highly rated Dundee HSFP side at the Greenyards to maintain pressure on the leading two clubs in Premier 1.

Arguably this was Melrose's best display of the season and certainly in terms of back play the Borderers showed real skill in moving the ball with clever running by centre James King and telling control at stand-off from skipper Scott Wight, who contributed also with five conversions and a penalty goal.

It was a break by King that gave co-centre Jamie Murray the first try

for Melrose. Allan Dodds got the second when he came off his blindside wing to cruise through midfield, and then Callum Anderson added as third touchdown to give Melrose a commanding 22-6 lead at the break, Barry Jones having kicked two penalties for Dundee.

The visitors cut the Melrose lead with a third penalty from Jones but a second try from Dodds, a score from replacement Ross Miller and then a close range effort from prop Kieran Cooney completed the rout.

West of Scotland 34 Boroughmuir 24

A DEFIANT West side eased their relegation fears with a well-merited success at blustery Burnbrae. David Young and Matt Jenkinson emerged as the destroyers-in-chief with two tries apiece to make sure of a precious bonus point. The other West counter came from prop Elliot McLaren, while Mike Sim kicked three conversions and an opportunist drop goal.

Boroughmuir never looked like threatening to take the honours, however they carved out tries for Matt Hare, Sean McMurchie and Calum Cusiter. Elgan O'Donnell was on target with three conversions and a penalty.

It was a win that proved West have the power and talent to survive in the top flight, but like their opponents they will be looking to establish themselves as a consistent force.