Glasgow Hawks 17 - 32 Ayr: Climo helps Ayr maintain domestic double hopes

AYR shrugged off a lethargic start to keep alive their league and cup double quest with an ultimately clinical display at Old Anniesland.

The defending Premier One champions had toiled to cope with a sprightly Hawks outfit in the early stages. But when scrum-half Al MacFarlane came off they bench they clicked into gear when it mattered and grabbed the precious bonus point.

The first half was a jittery and dour affair with the visitors content to keep exchanges tight and depend on tactical kicking by Frazier Climo. Hawks were much more adventurous in the tricky breeze, but all they could show for their efforts was an excellent try by speedy winger Robbie Hair and a brace of kicks from Mike Adamson.

Despite the fact that Ayr had the worse of possession and territory, they turned round only a point adrift thanks to a touchdown by Grant Anderson, goaled by Climo – who also slotted two penalties.

The Seasiders snatched the initiative in the early stages of the second half with a typically powerful finish by skipper Damien Kelly in the wake of a surge from Gordon Reid.

Adamson clawed back three points with his third penalty to set up a tension packed finale. But it could have been so much better at this stage for Hawks. Matt Whittleston was held up over the line, then Andy White broke through only to let the ball squirm from his grasp at the last moment.

Whittleston and Kelly jumped back into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons midway through the half as they played a prominent part in a major bust up. And both were lucky to dodge the red card of referee Gary Gordon.

Kelly made the most of his reprieve just two minutes later when he plunged over for his second score at the end of a pick and drive move. Climo's conversion widened the gap to eight points.

And when Jonny Crossan secured the bonus point there was no way back for Hawks.

Scorers: Hawks: Try: Hair. Pen: Adamson 3.

Ayr: Try: Anderson, Kelly 2, Crossan. Con: Climo 3. Pen: Climo 2.

Glasgow Hawks: C Gossman; R Hair, E Morrison, G Harkness, M Taylor; A White, P Jericevich; G Strain, J MacLay, J Stafford, C Harvey, M Whittleston, R Hamilton, G Oommen, G Strang. Subs: C Taylor, N Cox, C Kerr, M Adamson, G McDonald.

Ayr: G Anderson; C Taylor, R Curle, M Stewart, J McLung; F Climo, J Hunter; G Reid, S Fenwick, G Sykes, D Kelly, S Sutherland, P Burke, J Crossan, A Dunlop. Subs: S Nimmo, B Sykes, G Tippett, A MacFarlane, A Wilson.

Referee: G Gordon.