Ayr 14

Biggar 43

Al Stewart

at Queen Margaret Academy

In the first game Ayr were brushed aside 62-15 by a rampant Biggar.

That Ayr would improve was never in doubt but they still struggled to contain the Biggar XV who, apart from a couple of pretty much self-inflicted errors, were in control for large periods of the match.

Biggar had the breeze in their faces in the first half and popular opinion suggested that they would spend the bulk of the game in defence in their 22.

A tough opening salvo kept Biggar in defence but as has so often been the case this season, Biggar’s defence was more than a match for anything Ayr could provide.

On the 10 minute mark, having weathered the Ayr attack, a penalty kicked by Lavery to the Ayr half, saw the pack win good ball before setting off on a line drive straight into the Ayr 22. A couple of dunts by Lavery and then Bertram freed centre Jardine who cruised over for the opening score.

Bertram rounded off the next foray into Ayr territory with the pack providing inroads before the big winger was set free for the line.

Unconverted Biggar were 10-0 up but this lead was quickly reduced following an error by veteran Davy Reive.

A pass into ‘space’ ceded possession to Ayr with their prop needed no second invitation to score.

The conversion put Ayr right back into things at 10-7.

Although the restart from Lavery failed to go the requisite 10 metres Biggar regained possession and with Donald Voas set free on the left and taking play deep into the Ayr half, possession was then swept right with Jardine making a breenge before finding fullback Robbie Orr who rounded off the move with a try.

Biggar launched another attack before the half time whistle.

This time Voas appeared again on the wing to advance play before the ball was again swept right with Lavery providing the scoring pass to skipper Mulligan who crashed over for the bonus point winning try.

Jardine added the conversion for 22-7.

The wind seemed to drop a little at the start of the second half.

Only another massive defensive effort managed to keep Ayr out and then, in a flash, Biggar scored their fifth try.

A kick downfield saw Biggar get a lineout some 15 metres out. Although it appeared that ball had been lost Ewan Stewart managed to regain possession and with a head of steam well and truly up, the hooker bulldozed his way to and then over the line for the try.

Biggar were then penalised on a host of occasions and all in quick succession which culminated in Lewis Stewart collecting a yellow card.

With Biggar now understrength, it was hardly surprising that Ayr were able to capitalise and this came through a second try and conversion to take the score to 29-14.

The Biggar pack took control once again, and after one massive drive the referee awarded Biggar a penalty try.

A yellow card was issued to the Ayr prop and as the conversion is granted automatically, Biggar drew ahead again at 36-14 and with a quarter of the match remaining.

That Biggar managed just one more try in the third period is a telling factor and one which points at a reasonably strong Ayr effort as well as a series of unforced errors from Biggar which saw them unable to gain the consistency they sought.

Ewan Sanderson was the last to dot down. Picking up at the base of the scrum he feinted a pass to Reive before straightening up and gliding through a massive gap as the Ayr cover was posted missing. Jardine added the conversion for 43-14.

Biggar: R. Orr, M. Bertram, R. Hutton, A. Jardine, R. Stewart, C. Lavery, D. Reive, D. Voas, E. Stewart, R. Bassett, J. Orr, J. Campbell, E. Sanderson, C. Mulligan, L. Stewart, Reps: P. Davidson, R. Jackson, C. Borthwick, E. Bogle, R. Bradford.