Yet Another Ayr v Melrose Epic

I WILL leave the Politics and the off-field wrangling until tomorrow. Yesterday's epic Ayr v Melrose Tennent's Premiership Play-Off Semi-Final deserves a bit more than the 200 to 400 words it got from those mainstream media outlets who still deem rugby important enough to be allocated space in the fitba pages – even on weekends when there is precious little fitba being played. So, here goes.

AYR 15 – MELROSE 12

WHO WRITES the scripts for matches between these two: Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielburg, Martin Scorsese? Whoever it is – get thee to Hollywood, pronto. Yet again, the Ali and Frazier of Scottish Rugby produced a Thrilla in Millbrae to leave the punters roaring for more – which they will get in round two, this Saturday's Scottish Cup Semi-Final, at The Greenyards.

That is still to come, and this Play-Off Semi-Final will take some replicating, far less beating, for drama and action.

The Grand Finale - Ben Bain is heading off to award Ayr their Penalty Try

 picture courtesy of George McMillan, Ayr RFC Facebook 

Truth to tell, with a wee bit more precision, had they not at times succumbed to “white-line fever,” Ayr could well have had this one done and dusted by the interval. But, they kept butchering gilt-edged chances, falling onto steadfast Melrose defence and 3-3 at the break left the home fans worried; they could see the game slipping away from them.

In that first half, a Grant Anderson touch-down was recalled for a forward pass, while three Ayr mauls, all going forward rapidly, ended in a pile-up and Melrose possession when I seemed the try must follow. Such was Ayr's control, it took the visitors 22 minutes to get into the Ayr 22 with ball in hand.

But, for all their dominance in possession and territory, Ayr could not add to Frazier Climo's first minute penalty goal, awarded as Ayr, as they did regularly, splintered the visitors' pack. They paid for this failure to put points on the board in 34 minutes, when Craig Jackson levelled from a penalty.

“The boys were really down in the shed at half-time,” Ayr Coach Peter Murchie admitted. “We had to get them back up and tell them to be a bit more ruthless.”

It was Melrose, however, who got the better start to the second half, as Jackson's two penalties kicked them out to a 9-3 lead. But, the home side came back, carefully working through a series of phases before Climo made a half-break and off-loaded to the supporting Grant Anderson, who crashed over wide-out, to make it a one-point game, at 8-9.

We then had a lengthy hold-up as Grant Anderson received treatment for a neck injury, which saw him stretchered-off. However, he later returned and, although he admitted: “My neck hurts like Hell,” he was able to go home.

Jackson meanwhile kicked the visitors four points ahead with his fourth penalty, before Melrose settled back in deep defence as Ayr threw everything at them down the home stretch.

In 77 minutes, the irrepressible Steven Longwell crashed over, but, as he indicated via a piece of on-field mime, Ben Bain didn't have the benefit of a TV replay, so, unsighted, he could not award the try, which Longwell is adamant he scored.

No TV replay, but, George McMillan's photograph shows: Steven Longwell DID score

On we went, waves of Ayr attacks foundering on stout Melrose defence. Eight minutes came and went, on we played, with the action all in the visitors' 22.

In 85 minutes, Ayr pressed again, but, Ross Curle was hammered into touch at the corner-flag. The Melrose line-out would be the game's final play. Take it, win it, kick the ball out; game over, Melrose in the final.

Then came the twist. In a move similar to the one Scott Sutherland pulled at The Greenyards in 2017, Man of the Match Tommy Spinks soared skywards to steal the 'Rose throw. Robbie Smith gathered the falling ball and drove for the line. In piled the bodies, and, suddenly, to roars of delight from the Ayr fans, Mr Bain was running to the posts to indicate he had awarded a Penalty Try.

Victory was Ayr's, in the most-dramatic of circumstances. The Melrose players, stunned looks on their faces, slumped to the turf. The Ayr men jumped for joy – what a finish.

Well, not every Ayr man was entirely happy. The home hooker is adamant – Smith Did Score – before having the ball illegally torn from his grasp, so as to cause the referee to award the Penalty Try.

Facing the press post-match, Robin Chrystie was clearly struggling to keep hold of his emotions. His side had given so much, and had victory torn from their grasp at the death. You have to agree with his opening words: Melrose did deserve better.

Rob Chrystie, one of the good guys and dignified in defeat

But, wee Rob is not one of Scottish rugby's good guys for nothing, he continued: “OK, we made a couple of crucial mistakes, but, credit Ayr for taking their chances. I'm bitterly disappointed, but so proud of the boys. They left nothing out there.”

And, his side has a chance of retribution in the Scottish Cup on Saturday, on home soil.

As Peter Murchie said: “It was a horrible way for Melrose to lose, but, an amazing way for us to win.

“Melrose defended really well, but, our set piece got us going. It wasn't a perfect performance, but, while we left it very late, we did enough to win. It's do or die again next weekend, in what I am sure will be another great game.”

In the other match, at Goldenacre, Heriot's made full use of home advantage to beat Currie 35-10. The Nails now travel to Millbrae on April for the Grand Final. A fitting climax perhaps, with the Number One seeds facing the Number Two one in a reprise of the 201 Grand Final.

Ayr are just hoping they get what they didn't get back then – a competent referee.