Ayr 32 - 0 Gala: Whitewash doesn't tell whole story as champions reach semis

AYR had to produce a late spate of tries to secure their ticket on the road to the National Cup at Murrayfield.

The Borderers surprised the Premiership champions with their spirit and bravery in a stalemate first half.

And at the break, the home troops were only 3-0 in front, thanks to a 34th minute penalty from Frazier Climo.

Climo had missed an earlier penalty opportunity, with Graham Spiers off-target twice for the visitors.

Ayr had plenty of the ball, but their normally effective moves were snuffed out by a superbly drilled Gala defence.

The Borderers were so powerful in contact and around the fringes that the hosts were unable to carve out a single threatening try-scoring opening.

The floodgates were eventually opened midway through the second half when Johnny McClung finished off a move featuring Mark Steven and Gibson Siwo and crossed for the first of Ayr's five tries.

And further tries came from Siwo, Climo and then a Jono Crossan double.

Climo added the remainder of the points with the boot as the pace, power and fitness of the seasiders finally told.