Ayr's Progress UnMarred

MORE THAN half a century of immersion in Ayrshire Rugby gives you a certain perspective; so, even before Richie Simpson kicked off at Millbrae last night, Ayr v Marr was going to be more arm wrestle than champagne running rugby.

Perhaps, had young Master Simpson lasted longer than 25 minutes on the park – if it wasn't for his bad luck with injuries, that boy would have no luck – Ayr's backs might have turned on the style. During Simpson's all too short cameo, big Jamie Shedden showed what a great attacking threat he is; but, after Simpson limped off, the Ayr back division struggled to make an impact.

Some of the passes young Richie pulls off are very Finn Russell, if he can stay fit and get a god run of games, he definitely has a future in the game.

His premature departure perhaps detracted from the entertainment value, but it made little difference to the final outcome, as, in spite of some very spirited defence from the visitors, the big home pack made hay, scoring five of their side's six tries, and forcing Marr to concede the final Penalty Try. Marr tried everything, legal and illegal, to halt the juggernaut, but, particularly when they got their maul moving, Ayr would not be denied.

It took them just 104 seconds to make the breakthrough, skipper Blair Macpherson as ever leading from the front. If it works, why change things, so Ed Bloodworth went over for Ayr's second try, before, as the opening quarter ended, James Malcolm steered another rolling maul over for his tenth try of the season.

Then, with Simpson off, to be replaced by Andy Stirrat and Oscar Baird on the naughty step, the home team lost their way a bit. Marr were definitely in the ascendancy at this point, but they could not find a way through some determined Ayr defending, best exemplified by Bloodworth's line-out steal to thwart Marr right at the end of the half.

Perhaps the difference between the two sides was shown in the 45^th minute, when, with five or six Marr players celebrating what they thought was a tie, the Ayr team played to the whistle and were rewarded with a drop out from the in-goal area – further proof of Ayr's defensive rigour.

By this time, some of the home faithful were getting a bit anxious, since the bonus point try had still not been scored. Things changed in 53 minutes when, off another advancing maul, replacement prop Rhodri Tanner burst over down the narrow side. Marr then lost the influential Blair Jardine to a yellow card and Ayr took advantage, skipper Macpherson grabbing his second try – his final contribution to the victory.

Five tries scored, all by forwards, then finally, inside the final ten minutes, the home backs got their reward when full back Robbie Orr crossed, mind you, he was put in by a sumptous offload from flanker Ryan Sweeney.

In the final minute, Sweeney was over again, but, to his chagrin,he looked up to see referee Ruaridh Campbell sprinting to between the posts to indicate a Penalty Try.

I didn't think the usually excellent Mr Campbell was at his best. He was hot on the Ayr infringements, but seemed a bit blind to some of Marr's chicanery. But, he dealt firmly with the three outbreaks of “handbags” on the night.

The Derby certainly attracted a big crowd, on a still evening. Considering the rival attraction, just up the road at Somerset Park, of the Ayr United v Hibs Scottish Cup tie, the turn-out was terrific; the pre-game light show was impressive and the new floodlights are certainly a huge step up from the set-up they replaced.

So, a 45-0 win, another five points and the certainty of retaining top spot in the Arnold Clark Premiership, a good ending to a super week for Ayr.

I watched the game on BBC Alba, ok, this meant I missed out on the usual Ayr hospitality, but, on the plus side, I got to recline in my very-expensive arm chair, in front of a real coal fire, and I didn't have to explain what was happening in front of us to young Iain Hay. Not a bad situation for an old coffin dodger like me.

Mind you, I was not overly impressed by Iona Whyte's commentary – well the English language stuff which I could understand – I wish Alba would offer an English language option, or even a broad Scots one. I missed Paul Mitchell and Lee Jones, for my money the best Scottish commentating team.