RBS Premiership Rugby: Leaders Ayr look to steal march on rivals

By DAVID FERGUSON
Published on 13/10/2012 00:58

AYR and Currie go head-to-head at Malleny Park today with the sole intention of using the British and Irish Cup window to brush title challengers aside.

That, at least, is the Ayr plan. Currie bounced back from defeat to Gala with another big win at Stirling, and could join the Maroons in second spot if they can succeed where all others have failed so far this term and overcome the Ayrshire men.

Ayr coach Kenny Murray acknowledged his team have been struggling past sides, while Currie have been running in tries all over the field in their wins, but it is wins that claim titles rather than tries.

Murray said: “The RBS Premiership has been very competitive this year and thrown up some big matches, and there are none harder than playing Currie at Malleny Park. This match will be great for spectators; two good teams going hard at each other for 80 minutes.”

Murray also wished good luck to Dundee, Stirling, Gala and Melrose in the British and Irish Cup, and while he admitted that his club would look on with envy there is also a hope that they can stretch their current three-point lead at the top while rivals’ minds are elsewhere. Currie are hopeful of ending their run, however. Coach Ally Donaldson commented: “Ayr are not top of the league by accident and have shown real form despite having a few injury problems. We are getting some consistency in our selection but still need to put it together for longer periods in the match. Games between these sides are always full-blooded and this one should be no different.”

In today’s other Premiership match, Edinburgh Accies head north to Aberdeen GSFP knowing victory would take them into the top half of the table, after Boroughmuir’s game with Heriot’s was called off last night due to a flooded Meggetland.

TODAY’S TEAMS

Currie (v Ayr at Malleny Park, 3pm): J Forbes; A Hinds, J Johnstone, S James, A Whittingham; A Binikos, R Snedden; J Cox, F Scott, A Hamilton, S Marcell, J Gray, M Cairns (capt), M Entwhistle, R Weston. Subs: R Merrilees, F Watts, G Temple, M Peacock, G Hunter.

Ayr: G Anderson; G Lowe, R Fergusson, R Dalgleish, C Gossman; F Russell, S Diez; D Mutamangira, S Fenwick, D Rae, N Campbell, S Sutherland, R Doneghan, A Dunlop, C Forrester (capt). Subs: H Wisnewski, B Schmidt, C White, G Fisken, R Curle.

Aberdeen GSFP (v Edinburgh Accies at Rubislaw, 3pm): S Aitken; E Oag, P Nacamavuto, J Knight, A Hales; S Wight, M Ward; M Dixon, S O’Connor, S Corsar (capt), S Smith, M Douglas, G Ryan, T McGuinness, C Eyre. Subs: N Fraser, C McConnachie, A Crammond, G Clow, L Earle-Wright.

Edinburgh Accies: R Young; J Pecquer, E Campbell, N Godsmark, S Pecquer; R Bonner, A Black; A Allan, M Liness, L Niven, G Campbell, T Drennan, D Teague (capt), A Findlater, C Reid. Subs: F Rawlinson, D Morrison, T Hancock, J Adams, E Bonner.