A View from the Touchline – BT Premier League: 16.12.17.

Ayr 12 pts (t 2, c 1) v Currie Chieftains 14 pts (t 2, c 2)

At noon, Edinburgh was still in the icy grip of winter, but the west coast and sunny Ayr was positively mild, although, as the misty low cloud cleared, a fresh chilly feel returned to the damp and hostile atmosphere at Millbrae. This was the third time, in as many months, that these two teams had locked horns, and this encounter was as close and as ferocious as the previous League and Cup games which both went Ayr’s way. For the Chieftains it was third time lucky, as Ayr narrowly failed to convert a number of crucial kicks at goal.

The Millbrae pitch looked remarkably green and in good condition considering the state it was in after that mud-bath Cup match a few weeks previously. Unfortunately for the lighter nimble Currie players it was soon evident that the greasy surface would be a problem. The backs found it difficult to keep their feet as they tried to jink and accelerate through gaps, and the pack slithered backwards, as the big well-organised Ayr forwards exerted control in scrums and rolling mauls.

Ayr started in lively fashion moving the ball through their backs, which kept the Currie defence on its toes. They did not make much progress and play was mainly confined to the midfield area. When the visitors were penalised for holding on, the Ayr tactics were predicable; a tried and tested formula at which hefty packs are more than likely to register points, following a well-executed 5 metre lineout and drive for the try line. The Ayr pack did just this, and the George Stokes try was converted by Scott Lyle.

Well into the first quarter, Currie were getting more possession and beginning to put moves together. Several attacks down the left looked promising as Jamie Forbes, Ben Robbins and Thomas Gordon took play into Ayr’s 22. These attacks caused some panic in the Ayr defence and the referee punished them for two professional fouls as they endeavoured to keep their line intact. Grant Anderson was the first to go to the bin when he deliberately knocked on; within five minutes he was joined by Steven Longwell who was also into mischief when Currie looked like scoring. Some heroic defence and inconsistent passing seemed certain to prevent the visitors from scoring, but when the ball surprisingly popped out of an Ayr scrum fifteen metres out, the mercurial Charlie Shiel snapped it up and darted for the line; his loose forwards soon arrived to drive him over. Jamie Forbes kicked the difficult conversion which was to make all the difference at full time.

For the remainder of the half, Currie kept up the pressure and they were unlucky not to increase their try count, even when Ayr were back to a full complement of players. As halftime neared, a perfect Jamie Forbes penalty kick took play to the 5 metre line. Some excellent Ayr defence halted the Chieftains’ drive but they were patient and recycled. Hamish Bain, good to see him fit again following his early season injury, went close; Currie still retained possession and finally sent the ball wide. Robbie Nelson powered his way over with three defenders trying to bring him down. Jamie Forbes added the conversion from in front of the posts.

Halftime score – Ayr 7 pts, Currie Chieftains 14 pts.

For the first 15 minutes of the second half there was some very exciting, end-to-end entertainment, which was peppered with mistakes particularly at critical moments. The Chieftains had difficulty at scrum time throughout the afternoon, an Ayr strength, which they used to advantage. Scott Lyle sent a scrum infringement penalty to the 5 metre line; again the inevitable followed. Hooker Robbie Smith was in the train of Ayr’s drive for an unstoppable score. The locals went wild, but they were not so happy when the conversion ricocheted off the post.

As the December light dimmed, so did the quality of the rugby match; Ayr used their pack to batter a way towards the Currie line, and the Chieftains tried to move the ball with passes that were just a little too ambitious and missed their target. Both sides showed excellent defensive organisation and were it not for a Robbie Nelson interception, just short of the visitors’ line, after one of Ayr’s props had made twenty metres, to roaring acclaim, Ayr may have achieved a similar outcome to the earlier matches. The Chieftains also had their chances, frustratingly when a three-man overlap saw the ball miss the intended recipient and sail into touch; it was nail-biting stuff, but good to win at Millbrae and hear the locals say that they had been robbed. Ha! Our next match is at Malleny Park on Saturday January 6th v Boroughmuir. Have a good Christmas and a happy New Year. IJS, 17.12.17