RBS Premiership Rugby: Ayr 29 - 23 Boroughmuir

AYR emerged victorious from a real going-over from a rampant Muir eight at Boroughmuir, writes Matt Vallance at Millbrae. The visitors won the tight exchanges, Ayr won where it mattered, out-scoring their visitors by five tries to two to remain top of the RBS Premiership table.

The home side began well, an unconverted Grant Anderson try and one from Finn Russell, converted by Peter Jerecevich, putting them 12-0 up inside the opening ten minutes.

Ali Warnock, pictured, goaled penalties in 20 and 24 minutes to open the Muir account. Anderson scored a second unconverted try, before, right on half time, hooker George Turner crashed over, Warnock added the extras and it was 17-13 at half time.

Ayr’s Nick Campbell was yellow-carded in 45 minutes, but the home team stretched their lead in 52 minutes, Andy Dunlop being driven over from short range for the unconverted bonus-point try.

The visiting backs brought their side right back into things going into the last quarter. They ran back a slack Ayr clearing kick, Keith Buchan’s grubber bounced kindly for Jordan Webster, who ran in for a try, again converted by Warnock.

But Anderson fed Craig Gossman for the try in the corner which secured victory when Russell goaled a marvellous conversion.

There was still time for Warnock to kick a last-minute consolation.