Ole, Ole Ole - Watsonians halt the Ayr juggernaut

IT WASN'T quite “Death in the Afternoon,” but, as the Watsonians squad, mostly clad in the traditional Pamplona bull-running kit of white tee-shirt and trousers and red neckerchiefs left Millbrae for last night's bull-fighting themed Hallowe'en party at Myreside, they took not two ears and a tail, but, the much-more substantial Bill McLaren Shield with them.

The Watsonians team heads fo home as Steven Longwell builds up a head of steam on Saturday

Never having held the lump of wood before, the 'Sonians officials were wondering what to do with it: “Use it to serve canapés from,” was one suggestion, but, the one I liked was: “Let's hang it in the Hastings Room, to show Gavin and Scott something they haven't won.” They can be a cruel lot in Morningside.

But, in winning 25-20 and annexing the shield, the Edinburgh side did the rest of the Tennent's Premiership a huge favour. They burst Ayr's bubble of invincibility, cut their lead at the top of the table and, more-importantly perhaps for Coach Steve Lawrie – they gave themselves a confidence boost.

“We had a tough start, facing all the top sides early-on,but this result will give the boys self-belief, and a huge boost in confidence.”

“This is an exciting league, it's a challenging season, with Super-6 looming, and I was very happy with today. We scored some great tries, as id Ayr, since both sides came to play rugby, but, what particularly pleased me was the defensive effort – the way they put their bodies on the line, and their spirit.

“The important thing was to win, which we managed, now we have to kick-on from here.”

If Lawrie was pleased, you had to feel for Peter Murchie, who forfeited his unbeaten record as Ayr Coach. “It certainly didn't turn out as we had imagined during the week,” he said.

“We had our chances, but didn't take them, some wrong options were taken, while we didn't look after the ball was well as we should have.

“But, credit to Watsonians, their scramble defence was superb and after a poor first half, we were much better in the second, created a lot of chances but fell short. I am now looking for a huge reaction next week.”

Certainly, Ayr were without a few key men, but, to use that as an excuse would be unfair to Watsonians, who, in the final reckoning, deserved to win.

Damien Hoyland's star has, through injury and the rise of Darcy Graham, waned somewhat this season. But, in his first game since recovering from injury, the Scotland winger had one crucial cameo as he skipped through to set-up lock Charlie McKill for the opening try. Sadly, he had to retire with a knee injury soon afterwards – one step forward, two back, for the Edinburgh player.

Their other winger, teenager Rufus McLean, also impressed with one try and one assist, while Lee Millar kicked beautifully, and number eight Michael Fedo was a huge influence in an important facet of the win – the manner in which Watsonians won the breakdown battle, repeatedly turning-over Ayr when the league leaders had got into good positions.

But, in the end, this was a team victory for the Edinburgh side – they had no weaknesses.

Ayr were digging deep into their reserve strength. But, perhaps with the missing men in place, they would have won. They butchered two glaring opportunities as they fought back after Watsonians' opening try, while all their second-half pressure ought to have been better rewarded.

However, DEFENCE, an area where Ayr has set the standard in the Premiership over the past few seasons, was where Watsonians won this. There will be some sore bodies in Edinburgh this morning, because these bodies were put firmly on the line yesterday.

George McMillan's picture of Longwell setting-off on his runaway train try on Saturday 

Ayr did, however, have THE moment of the afternoon, when tight-head prop Steven Longwell took a popped pass somewhere between the Watsonians' ten-metre line and the half-way line and simply charged. He trampled all over Josh Rowlands as he did his runaway train impression all the way to the try line.

The former tight forwards watching all had huge smiles on their faces after this score.

For the record, Ayr's points came from the Longwell try, with Frazier Climo getting the rest from one try, two conversions and two penalty goals. For Watsonians, McKill, McLean and Rowland had tries, Lee Millar got the other points from two conversions and two penalties.

The match ended with a period of intense Watsonians pressure in and over the Ayr line, however, a mass outbreak of “white line fever” in the pack perhaps cost Watsonians a four-try bonus point. But, Ayr's huge defensive effort then was rewarded with a losing bonus point.

ELSEWHERE, Melrose continue to lead the chasing pack; after their 47-29 home win over Boroughmuir, but they remain four points adrift of the league leaders. Currie Chieftains continue to stick two fingers up to BT Murrayfield, for NOT thinking them good enough for a franchise, by staying in third place, after a 0-15 win over bottom boys Edinburgh Academical, at Raeburn Place.

Heriot's lie fourth, having thumped Hawick 50-14 at Goldenacre, while the closest match yesterday was at Bridgehaugh, where Stirling County edged-out Glasgow Hawks 34-30.

IT WAS NOT a good weekend either for our two professional sides. I watched the second half of Edinburgh's sorry second-half capitulation to Zebre from behind the sofa – it was that dire. We had all, I think, felt these sort of car-crash performances from Edinburgh were a thing of the past. The thing about Friday night's disaster was, it was experienced players who messed-up, by an large the youngsters played well.

It shows how expectations around Glasgow have grown, that we should be disappointed to lose to Munster via a last kick penalty. The great entertainers, even with a below-strength team because of Scotland calls, still grabbed a four try bonus point, and, had they kicked all their goals, they would have won.

That they lost so-narrowly merely indicates the need to ALWAYS have a reliable goal kicker on the field in professional sport. As they say in golf: “You drive for show, but, you putt for dough.” Place-kicking is rugby's equivalent of putting.