A View from the Touchline – BT Premier League, Play-off, Semi-Final: 24.3.18.

Currie Chieftains 21 pts (t 3, c 3) v Ayr 24 pts (t 3, c 3, pg 1)

Following some scintillating play in the first ten minutes, the Chieftains went on to establish a solid lead; but on the stroke of first half time, Ayr snatched a try, and for the remainder of the contest they played to their muscular forward power which strangled the life out of any Currie ambition to progress to the Grand Final.

Malleny Park was quite unrecognisable from the scene just a week earlier, when snow drifted around the hoardings and stand. The warm spring sunshine certainly brought out the crowds, as spectators joined a 50 metre entrance queue; very reminiscent of Club rugby matches 25 seasons ago; it was a delightful atmosphere to behold. Conditions were almost perfect for rugby, although the gusting breeze could be seen as an advantage which Ayr used to perfection in the second half.

The Chieftains pack has matured and improved as the season has progressed, but the experience and reputation of the big Ayr forwards go before them; this was an issue for which Ben Cairns had prepared. From the start the mobile Malleny team moved the ball as quickly as possible at every opportunity, and they soon established a firm foothold in opposition territory. Following a Ratu Tagive turnover, and resulting penalty lineout, the Chieftains set up a series of attacks that edged towards the Ayr line; Mike Vernel, who is rapidly achieving the rank of Currie stalwart, stepped his way through a number of tacklers to score under the posts. Jamie Forbes added the conversion and was on song with more penalty touch kicks, to keep the opposition under pressure.

Unfortunately some of these penalty lineouts did not always go to plan, but when they did, the resulting 5 or so metre drive produced sweet success. Two more converted Chieftains tries, from Richie Vernon and Thomas Gordon, followed in the next 20 minutes with only a Scott Lyle penalty goal in reply for the visitors. When Ayr lost Rob McAlpine to the sin-bin, things looked bleak for the visitors, but they managed to regroup and came back strongly. At this stage the match was perhaps tighter than the score line would suggest. Although Currie had won the territorial battle, possession was about even and the defence of both teams was exemplary. With the clock almost at halftime, Ayr finally got into the Currie 22 via a strong run from Rory Hughes. Given a sniff of the goal line, the burly Ayr pack then got to work and hammered a way through. Steven Longwell’s try was converted by Scott Lyle.

Halftime score – Currie Chieftains 21 pts, Ayr 10 pts.

That try and the halftime talk certainly pepped up the visitors; immediately they pumped the ball deep into the Currie 22 and kept play there for most of the second half; it was virtually a role reversal. There were some brighter moments for the beleaguered Chieftains - Ratu Tagive made 30 metres down the right wing but was caught by the splendid Ayr cover, or when Hamish Bain, Vince Wright and Luke Crosbie carried the ball forward, but they crashed into the immovable Ayr defence. Once the visitors re-established their grip close to the Currie line, it appeared only a matter of time before the inevitable occurred; Robin Hislop was driven over in a pile of bodies and Scott Lyle kicked the conversion.

With 30 minutes remaining Currie were desperately trying to play with speed and flair, but that vital spark was missing and they could not gain momentum. Time and again the impressive line speed of a well drilled Ayr defence was in their face. At breakdowns a pink shirt was over the ball to inflict several turnovers; all rather frustrating for the Chieftains who were finding it difficult to get much possession in areas from where they could push for a score. When Ayr went ahead with another pushover try, this time from Lewis Anderson, and again converted by Scott Lyle, it was no surprise. Although only three points in arrears, it seemed more as the visitors controlled proceedings. The Chieftains’ woes deepened ten minutes from time. Richie Vernon was shown a red card for dangerous play; yellow may have been more appropriate considering the particular circumstances of the tackle. Tactically Ayr stitched up Currie by playing to their forward strength, but as time ran out, Currie’s 14 men started to turn the screw and had the visitors reeling. Perhaps if this had happened a little earlier the outcome could have been different, but eight minutes of heroic Ayr defending kept the Chieftains at bay. It was an exciting end to a close game and disappointing that our playing season is now over; especially with the better weather arriving. How is it that the other Home Unions still have six weeks of rugby fixtures left to play? I.J.S, 25.3.18.