Ayr 30 - 25 Boroghmuir: Three-in-a-row chance is on as Ayr shade semi

AYR will be hoping to make it three Scottish Cup wins in a row when they go to Murrayfield on Saturday, 21 April to face Gala – but after this titanic battle it could so easily have been ’Muir who were heading there.

Since they scored more tries, and demonstrated a better off-loading and continuity game, Ayr probably deserved to shade the battle, but they know, in the final, the Braw Lads will be unlikely to stretch them as far as Boroughmuir did in this semi-final.

Ayr began with a bang, two Robbie Fergusson penalties and the stand-off’s conversion of a try started and finished by man of the match Ross Curle putting them 13 points ahead in as many minutes.

But within five minutes a straightforward Ally Warnock penalty, followed almost immediately by a brilliant scything run for a try from Stevie Wilson, signalled that the visitors would not lie down.

Ayr re-grouped, however, and hooker Stuart Fenwick dived over from a close-range ruck to give them a ten-point lead after 24 minutes. But, in the final ten minutes of the half, vigorous counter-rucking and fast hands produced a three-man overlap for flanker Alex Henderson to go over for a try, which Warnock converted, before he tied things up at the break with a penalty goal.

Scrum-half Sam Johnson delayed his pass after making a searing solo break in 50 minutes and the chance was lost, with ’Muir suffering the consequences as Ayr trundled downfield for Zimbabwean prop Denford Mutamangira to finish off another ferocious spot of Ayr rucking on the visitors’ line to make it 25-18.

Boroughmuir simply had to score next and did, with the try of the day, Sep Visser scorching home in a great 70-metre run. Warnock converted and with 15 minutes left the tie was still in the balance.

But not for long. Ayr attacked from the resumption, Curle jinked his way into the ’Muir 22 and when the home pack carried on the thrust, flanker Jonno Willis plunged over for the match-clinching try.

But while the home pack as a unit produced an immense 80 minutes, ’Muir’s ability and willingness to attack from anywhere, and at every opportunity, played no small part in making this match a wonderful advertisement for the club game.

Ayr and Gala produced an intriguing league battle last Saturday. If they can reprise the commitment from then and add some of the stardust which was sprinkled over this semi-final, Finals Day at Murrayfield will be one not to miss.

Both sides will be going for a third cup win, with Ayr also seeking a first three-in-a-row series – who do they think they are: Auchinleck Talbot?

Scorers: Ayr: Tries: Curle, Fenwick, Mutamangira, Willis. Cons: Fergusson 2. Pens: Fergusson 2. Boroughmuir: Tries: S Wilson, Henderson, Visser. Cons: Warnock 2. Pens: Warnock 2.

Ayr: G Anderson; A Wilson, R Curle, M Stewart, S Manning; R Fergusson, M McConnell; D Mutamangira, S Fenwick, G Sykes, S Sutherland, C White, G Fisken, R Colhoun, J Willis.Replacements: A Kelly, A Dunlop, A J MacFarlane, C Taylor.

Boroughmuir: K Buchan; S Visser, M Clapperton, S Wilson, R Guedroudj; A Warnock, S Johnson; N Fraser, S Crombie, J Latta, I Moody, A Davidson, A Henderson, A Rose, J Swanson. Replacements: G Jones, R Wilson, G Scott, N Rodger, J Webster.

Referee: A McMenemy.