Ayr 17 - 13 Heriot’s: Heriot’s coach Smith upbeat despite loss

AFTER the woeful fare on offer in Glasgow’s win over Zebre on Friday night, the West of Scotland’s rugby community needed a lift, and those who were at this scintillating match at Millbrae certainly got it, from 80 breathtaking minutes of exciting, skilful and committed rugby; with the result in doubt right up to tyro referee Kevin White’s final blast on his whistle, the young official emerging in credit from a tough Premiership baptism.

SCORERS:

Ayr: Tries, Wisnewski, Sutherland, Curle. Con: Jerecevich.

Melrose: Try: Cessford. Con: Wilson, Penalty goals: Wilson (2).

Ayr won, to remain unbeaten and top of the heap, but, as they conducted their post mortems, Heriot’s Phil Smith was the happier head coach.

“No complaints – we lost three middle row players in midweek but all our pack were outstanding in a great game,” he said. “Our positive response to Ayr’s second-half try even surprised me. We always looked dangerous but, in the end, Ayr’s defence was terrific and we just fell short”.

Opposite number Kenny Murray was less upbeat, saying: “A win’s a win. It was a very tight game, but for me we weren’t clinical enough, we took some poor options, didn’t manage the game well, didn’t turn the screw and were a bit indisciplined against a very tough Heriot’s side; still, onwards and upwards.”

Ayr’s strong start brought unconverted tries by hooker Hayden Wisnewski and lock Scott Sutherland, who grabbed his fifth touchdown in six games before Graham Wilson potted two penalties to keep Heriot’s in touch at the break and leave the home fans bemoaning several gilt-edged chances which Ayr had squandered.

Ross Curle’s finish to a scintillating Craig Gossman break, converted by Peter Jerecevich in his final Premiership game before an Australian stint with Scotland’s Sevens squad, put Ayr clear before their indiscipline saw Andy Dunlop yellow-carded. The visiting pack found impetus and Struan Cessford charged over, Wilson converting. Then, when replacement Denford Mutamangira also went to the sin bin it looked bleak for Ayr. But the home team held out doggedly, before finishing strongly for victory, albeit clouded by a fractured wrist for Kerr Gossman, who will be out for a few weeks.