Dundee HSFP 23 - 31 Ayr: Bennett's a breath of fresh Ayr

ROOKIE centre Mark Bennett emerged as the Ayr hero as they outgunned Dundee HSFP at Mayfield.

The 17-year-old Scotland age-group star bagged a try, made another and slotted two vital kicks.

The most crucial passage of action came during the final three minutes of the first half when Ayr rattled up ten unanswered points. Ross Curle banged over a penalty and added the extras to a fine try by Grant Anderson to grab control of the contest.

Earlier, Ally O'Connor had given High the edge with a snap dropped-goal, only to see flanker Jono Crossan surge over for an Ayr touchdown.

Dundee went back in front two minutes later with a penalty from Glasgow pro Peter Horne.

Bennett stole the show in the second half, scoring Ayr's third try a minute after the restart, then playing a big part in the completion of Anderson's double. He also clipped over two penalties to snuff out any chance of a fightback.

High could only respond with touchdowns by Ryan Milne and James Fleming, along with two goals by Horne.

Scorers: Dundee HSFP: Tries: Milne, Fleming. Cons: Horne 2. Pens: Horne 2. Drop goal: O'Connor. Ayr: Tries: Anderson 2, Bennett, Crossan. Cons: Curle. Pens: Curle, Bennett 2.

Dundee HSFP: Horne; Fleming, Duthie, Clark, Hay, O'Connor, A Dymock; N Dymock, Forrest, Brown, Hawkins, Linton, Cumming, Gray, Levison.

Ayr: Anderson; Manning, Bennett, Stewart, Taylor, Curle, Hunter; Reid, Fenwick, Cox, Tippett, Kelly, Crossan, Burke, Dunlop.