'Meaningless' final Ayr match called off

AYR'S final match of the season against Selkirk this weekend has been scrapped after both clubs appealed to the SRU Championship Committee that it was a meaningless fixture.

The end-date for an extraordinarily long season was last weekend, but Ayr's pile-up of fixtures from a bad winter led to a final, late game at Philiphaugh. However, with Currie regaining the Premier One title from Ayr on Saturday, the match had no relevance to promotion, relegation or league positions and qualification for next season's British and Irish Cup.

Selkirk players turned up for training last night only to be told that their season was over. Dennis Henderson, Selkirk's Director of Rugby, told The Scotsman: "Ayr were keen not to play and put it to the championship committee and we supported them.

"It has been a very long season and the players we have left standing need a break. It is also now beyond the end-date for the normal season, so we felt it was common sense and it's good that the championship committee have seen fit to acknowledge that."

The decision may raise the ire of a number of lower-league clubs across the country, however, who have been ordered to play every game remaining in their league season, despite lacking players, under the threat of points deduction and possible relegation.

Meanwhile, Peebles are looking for a coach to assist new head coach Gary Parker next season after his long-time coaching partner Ritchie Gray declined the move due to work commitments.