Ayr 17 - 24 Dundee HSFP: Lethargic Ayr punished by distinguished Dundee

THE fears of the Millbrae "Silverbacks" in the past month came home to roost with a vengeance as "Fortress Millbrae" crumbled in the face of an uplifting display from a Dundee XV who won this match by more than the mere seven points imply.

The lethargy and lack of focus which the Ayr old timers and coaching staff have identified and tried to cure were all-too-obvious as the visiting pack took control from the start, giving their quicksilver backs ample opportunities to force Ayr onto the back foot.

And, after Ayr responded to a half-time rollicking from angry coach Kenny Murray, the visiting pack refused to yield. Great tackling frustrated the home side, before a moment of inspiration and class from Rick McKenna set up a wonderful second try for James Fleming.

Flanker Danny Levison scored the game's opening try, Urquhart converting, but home hooker Stephen Adair touched down at the other end to make it 7-5. It was as close as Ayr came.

Slick handling and Fleming's sheer pace off line-out ball produced Dundee's second try, converted by Urquhart, who later goaled a penalty for the visitors to lead 17-5 at half time.

Dundee's awesome third quarter defensive effort paid off when they broke out and McKenna's magical chip and re-gather sent Fleming in.

It was only then that Ayr began to produce some continuity rugby, for Robbie Colhoun to crash over. Frazier Climo converted, before blocking a Colin Strachan grubber, gathering and scoring himself. But, as he fluffed the conversion, not even the most myopic Ayr fan could see the home side salvaging the game. They couldn't.

Scorers: Ayr Tries: Adair, Colhoun, Climo. Con: Climo. Dundee HSFP: Tries: Levison, Fleming (2). Cons: Urquhart (3). Pen: Urquhart.

Ayr: Anderson; A Wilson, Scott Forrest, R McCallum, Taylor; Curle, McFarlane; Reid, Adair, Fenwick, D Kelly, Tippett, Crossan, Colhoun, Dunlop. Replacements used: Fergusson, Climo, D Stewart, Sykes. Replacement unused: Nimmo.

Dundee HSFP: Urquhart; Coleman, Duthie, Strachan, Fleming; McKenna, A Dymock; N Dymock, Simon Forrest, Brown, Linton, Hawkins, Cumming, Levison, McInally. Replacements all unused: Russell, S Cessford, Milne, R Cessford, Wade.

Referee: A McPherson