Rugby: Ayr coach regards 'Muir as contenders

After admitting Ayr were grateful to have retained top place in the table on what has been proving a bogey ground, a relieved Murray made it clear he still viewed 'Muir as contenders, saying: "Their scrummage was good . . . and two second rows (Ally Davidson and Tom McColl] carried the ball quite well. We're delighted to get the win because our two previous visits have seen us draw and scrape through by just a couple of points."

On a day when the try count was shared two apiece it was the goal-kicking of Ayr stand off Ross Curle that proved the difference as he slotted three penalties and a late drop goal which came when 'Muir were frantically chasing the game.

That last strike moved Ayr out of range in terms of denying 'Muir a losing bonus point for finishing within a single score and left frustrated home coach Phil Smith lamenting one that got away.

"We should have got something from the pressure we had especially just before half-time," said Smith.

That was when fate played a hand as 'Muir hammered the visiting line and then spread play wide only to be hustled into touch.

Smith said: "Unfortunately our centre Stevie Wilson took a bang to the head and found himself in the middle of that attack while temporarily dazed.

"He's fine now but the incident came at the wrong time for him to be involved.

"On other occasions we were held up over their line and with there being times, too, when our breakdown and set-piece work was poor we now find our season is about to go on the line."

After five straight wins Boroughmuir have lost on consecutive outings, to Currie and now Ayr.

Smith said: "This weekend we head for Melrose and we have to beat them or else we will just start to wallow a wee bit in the middle of the table.

Skipper Malcolm Clapperton believes consistency is key to a Boroughmuir revival.

"If we could have put together the forward effort at Currie with the abilities shown by our backs against Ayr then we might have been able to convert more of our pressure into points," said Clapperton

Boroughmuir, though, could have few complaints for all that their endeavour was not in doubt with Ally Davidson's lead every bit as strong as indicated by Ayr coach Murray.

They shunned the chance to go for goal with a kickable second half penalty preferring to punt into the corner only for the line-out throw to be squandered and on such decisions are valuable points gained and lost.

Also, Ayr winger Cammy Taylor missed a glorious chance in spectacular fashion when he fumbled and lost possession attempting to belly flop over the try-line.

Had that score been registered Ayr would have been out of sight.

'Muir started much the more aggressive side and from Davidson's line-out catch prop Robin Hislop burrowed over for the opening try which Warnock converted.

A touch of class from teenage Ayr centre Mark Bennett was rewarded with an equalising try (Ross Curle converted) after the defence bought a delightful dummy and sidestep but Jones restored the seven point advantage with a neat pick up and sprint when a passing movebroke down in the home 22.

At 14-10 Boroughmuir had little cushion against a stiff wind and the introduction of recently injured former Scotland clubs captain Damien Kelly helped galvanise Ayr to further seal their fate. Quickly into their stride Ayr went 16-14 in front through two Curle penalties by the time Steven Adair chipped through a ruck and grabbed the bounce to score with the defence flat footed.

How Boroughmuir probably regret passing up that kick at goal opportunity deep inside the final quarter and if they had taken that option it would have cancelled out Curle's 80th minute drop to ensure they didn't finish empty handed.

At least the Capital side went down fighting but the feeling is that while a place in the top eight after the split looks assured odds are lengthening against any title challenge . . . unless a gargantuan effort can be summoned up on Saturday at Melrose.

Scorers:

Boroughmuir: Tries: Hislop, Jones; Cons: Warnock (2). Ayr: Tries: Bennett, Adair; Con: Curle; Pens; Curle (3); Drop goal: Curle.

Boroughmuir: S Ruddick; R Neill, M Clapperton (c), S Wilson, H Jones; A Warnock, S Johnson; R Hislop, S Crombie, N Fraser, T McColl, A Davidson, J Doubleday, D O'Riordan, N Rodger. Subs: C Macintosh, J Latta, A Rose, R Cairns, H Leonard.

Ayr: G Anderson; A Wilson, M Bennett, M Stewart, C Taylor; R Curle, A McFarlane (c); G Reid, S Fenwick, G Sykes, D Stewart, G Tippet, J Crossan, A Dunlop, R Wilson. Subs: S Adair, S Nimmo, D Kelly, R McCallum, R Ferguson.