Ayr 34 pts (t 5, c 3, p g 1) v Currie Chieftains 19 pts (t 3, c 2)

Training and conditioning are never a substitute for match time, as the SRU have recognised, by trying to formulate a strategy that will give their elite players more competitive matches via the semi-professional Super6 regime: it will not work. This match at Millbrae went some way to demonstrate the problem that still confronts representative rugby; they have to play together week after week as a team.

Played in breezy spring-like conditions, on a dry, green surface, which was a pleasant change from Currie’s previous Cup outing at the same venue, the visitors knew that they would have to bring a top performance to vanquish formidable opponents, who must have outweighed them by a considerable margin in the pack. It had been a good January for the Malleny Club, with their unchanged squad playing like a well-oiled machine. Unfortunately, and it is an annual occurrence at this point in the club rugby season, there are long gaps between matches, and previous momentum can be difficult to achieve after a three week lay-off; it is also a problem for those elite players, who may have longer between matches.

Of course, this break was the same for both teams, but when quick ball, technique and precision are the foundations of your game, even minor errors can prove costly against big guys; something that our National teams know only too well. Currie definitely made more mistakes than Ayr, who played to their forward power, and throttled most of the Chieftains’ aspirations, especially in the second half.

During the first fifteen minutes it became clear that the visitors would have their work cut out containing the beefy Ayr forwards, who, once in possession, were in no mood to let Currie play their open, running game. The few scraps that did come the visitors’ way were used well, particularly in the second part of the first half. The Chieftains also defended heroically throughout, as wave after wave of unrelenting attacks slowly ground them down and stretched their resources.

Initially, Currie’s set scrum and lineout play held up reasonably well, but towards the end of the first quarter, a scrum penalty was hoofed, by stand-off Climo, towards the Currie corner flag, and the blueprint for the afternoon’s try scoring was etched. The Ayr pack battered away, and Blair MacPherson’s score was shortly followed by another try, after Currie had cut down the left and into the Ayr 22. A neat grubber kick looked promising as it bounced towards the Ayr line, but Paddy Dewhurst was alert to the threat. He avoided a clutch of Currie tacklers and counter-attacked. The inter-passing went to the Currie 22 where it was briefly held up, before the ball sailed to centre, Danny McCluskey, for the try. Frazier Climo added both conversions.

Things were now looking bleak for the visitors; however, for the remainder of the half they sparkled. Following some good handling, Fergus Scott and Robbie Nelson went close, but when Joe Reynolds cut Ayr open in mid-field, his linking pass to Ben Robbins left the home defence wrong-footed. In the gusting wind, Gregor Hunter’s conversion drifted just wide. The Chieftains’ next score was the try of the afternoon, and of top quality. From their own 10 metre line, the ball whizzed between Robbie Nelson, Joe Reynolds, Ben Robbins and finally Scott McGinley took the scoring pass; Gregor Hunter converted.

For once the vociferous local crowd was silenced, although not for long. Cal Hope, Marc Kelly, Mike Vernel and Rhys Davies were knocking over ball carriers as Ayr desperately tried to hit back; their heavy forwards flopped over the breakdown to secure possession, and, unfortunately for Currie, the referee thought that the tacklers were too slow rolling away. On the stroke of halftime, Frazier Climo’s penalty goal restored crowd satisfaction.

Halftime score – Ayr 17 pts, Currie Chieftains 12 pts.

Apart from the first five minutes of the second half, when full-back Grant Anderson was on hand to score in the corner, after the ball was eventually moved wide, following another penalty lineout and rolling maul, there was a temporary halt to any further scoring. The hard-hitting, bruising action continued unabated, with the realisation that a ten-point lead could still be over-hauled by a spot of Currie genius.

Ayr kept up the pressure, and the Chieftains could not shake off their grip. Whenever Currie did advance, ball retention proved difficult, as passes went astray, the lineout wobbled, and the scrum creaked. Occasionally things looked favourable, but those small errors were made to look enormous by the marauding Ayr back row. Also, disheartening penalty kicks from the bludgeoning boot of Frazier Climo pinned them down, which added to Currie’s frustration and misery.

It was only during the last fifteen minutes of the game that the match moved beyond Currie’s reach. Another infringement, and the penalty was kicked to the corner flag. Multiple flawless phases were repelled, but the outcome looked inevitable, as a gallant Currie defence eventually conceded, and Blair MacPherson’s second try was converted by Climo.

The final stages of the match had both good and bad moments for the Chieftains, who could have done with a little more luck in testing, debatable circumstances. A yellow card for AP McWilliam, seemed rather hard as an Ayr rolling maul hit the deck, and the depleted Currie defence struggled, but could do little to prevent another back-row drive and try for Tommy Spinks.

As both camps emptied their respective benches, the changes seemed to disrupt the home side more than the visitors, whose spirited efforts were finally rewarded. The rearranged Ayr team lost shape and looked vulnerable, as Currie swiftly moved the ball around. The strong-running Steven Hamilton was given space to slip in for a consolation try. Gregor Hunter’s conversion hit the post but went over. It was a good finish to a rather disappointing patchy performance, but Currie now know the requirements at this end of the season if they are to claim any silverware. Millbrae is never an easy place to visit, especially when an experienced formidable home pack is firing on all cylinders and making few mistakes.

There is now another two-week gap before our final Premier League match, at home to Edinburgh Accies; kick-off 3.00 pm. A bonus point win at Malleny Park on Saturday 2nd March is vital to guarantee a home fixture for the Play-Off Semi-Final. Next weekend, when the National team are away to Wales, Chieftains ‘A’ play Kelso at Malleny Park – make this your destination for an afternoon of rugby. I.J.S, 17.2.19.

Currie Chieftains Team v Ayr RFC

15 Jamie Forbes, 14 Ben Robbins, 13 Joe Reynolds, 12 Robbie Nelson, 11 Matthew Hooks,

10 Gregor Hunter. 9 Charlie Shiel, 8 Scott McGinley, 7 Rhys Davies, 6 Cal Hope, 5 Marc Kelly

4 Mike Vernel, 3 Fraser Watt, 2 Fergus Scott, 1 Matias Argiro

16 Graham Carson, 17 AP McWilliam, 18 Reece Patterson, 19 Wallace Nelson, 20 Chris Davies,

21 Adam Hall, 22 Steven Hamilton.

Photograph (c) George McMillan (Ayr)