Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership final: Ayr 41-12 Watsonians

AYR, SCOTLAND - APRIL 26: An Ayr and Watsonians player in action during the Arnold Clark Men's Premiership Final match between Ayr Rugby and Watsonians at Millbrae, on April 26, 2025, in Ayr, Scotland. (Photo by Calum Chittleburgh / SNS Group)

It all came from a brilliant first half from the home side. The final turned out to be the physical battle that many expected from two of the best defensive sides in the league this season.

Jason Baggott got proceedings underway and it was swiftly thumped clear by the home side. The first opening of the match came through a break from Baggott, darting between two Ayr defenders before flicking a pass wide to Lomond Macpherson, who was bundled into touch.

The resulting lineout saw another break from Watsons, but the ball was lost in the subsequent phase, and it was pounced on by Luca Bardelli, who ran the length of the field untouched to go in for the game’s first try under the posts. Fergus Johnston knocked the conversion over with minimal fuss. (Ayr 7 – 0 Watsonians, 3 mins)

Ayr were in again just two minutes later through Amena Caqusau. Ayr bundled their way up the left and found themselves in a two-on-one with hooker James Malcolm drawing and passing professionally to winger Caqusau who ghosted in untouched on the left hand side. Johnston nailed the conversion, despite the ball falling off the tee and hurriedly replacing it as time was running down. (Ayr 14 – 0 Watsonians, 6 mins)

And two minutes later again, Caqusau secured his second of the day and the home side’s third inside nine minutes. The Watsonians defence was caught napping and Caqusau obliged by jetting through a wide gap and rounding fullback Freddie Owsley to dot down under the posts. Johnston again nailed the conversion. (Ayr 21 – 0 Watsonians, 8 mins)

Watsonians were given the first reprieve of the match by winning a penalty for Ayr going into the ruck off their feet and gained territory with the resulting kick. Inside the 22 now, Watsons won another for offside, right in front of the posts and again kicked to the corner. Baggott sniped at first receiver, but was brought down a metre out and the next phase saw a forward pass flung to the left winger, bringing the promising play to an end.

Play paused for Jamie Drummond to receive treatment about halfway through the first half and Watsonians used the time to gather their thoughts and plan a way forward after conceding 21 points in a five-minute period. Caleb Rae took to the field, replacing Drummond.

Watsonians returned to the attack but again couldn’t execute a try-scoring movement, losing the ball too far forward of an attacking runner, resulting in another knock on. Handling errors was the theme of the half for Watsonians – their response to conceding three tries was good, keeping the ball away from the home side – but their handling failed them at critical moments.

Ayr were in again on the half-hour mark. Despite losing the ball in the tackle, Watsonians again threw a loose pass, which was snapped up by Lewis McNamara, who offloaded to Bardelli, who cantered in for his second and his side’s fourth try. Johnston couldn’t add the extras on the angle this time. (Ayr 26 – 0 Watsonians, 30 mins)

Watsonians pushed hard down the field in response, but Owsley’s break down the right was cut short on the 22, and when he offloaded, the pass was behind Macpherson, and it rolled harmlessly into touch.

On the cusp of half time, Ayr won back-to-back penalties and again breached the 22, opting to point to the posts as the clock ticked into the red. Johnston popped the penalty over and the home side went into the break 29 points clear. (Ayr 29 – 0 Watsonians, half time)

Half time: Ayr 29 – 0 Watsonians

Ayr weren’t done though and immediately forced Watsonians back to their line, winning a scrum inside the 22. Neil Irvine-Hess was taken off to receive treatment for a head knock, Stu Allison came on for him.

Directly from the scrum, Bobby Beattie travelled with the ball from first receiver and floated a long looping pass out to the left flank for Caqusau to score his hat-trick in style, beating Owsley for pace and dotting down in the corner. Johnston just pulled the conversion though. (Ayr 34 – 0 Watsonians, 43 mins)

A brilliantly worked move again saw Ayr coast in for a try – their sixth of the afternoon. Tom Lanni was the luck last on a huge overlap on the left side – far too fast for the covering Watsonians defenders. Johnston converted from under the sticks. (Ayr 41 – 0 Watsonians, 52 mins)

A yellow card was handed out to Ayr full back Robbie Orr for a tip tackle 15 minutes into the second stanza. From the penalty, Ryan Sweeney broke through Ayr’s defences and Baggott broke the donut for the visitors, running around the outside centre to open the scoring for Watsonians. He converted his own try from the left-hand side. (Ayr 41 – 7 Watsonians, 57 mins)

From a lineout drive resulting from a midfield penalty infraction, Macpherson went in in the right corner to nick the visitors’ second try of the half. It came from a slick set piece move from the lineout. Baggott couldn’t add the extras. (Ayr 41 – 12 Watsonians, 66 mins)

They almost bagged a third, but for desperate defence from the returning Orr at fullback. Zander Walls made the break and just had Orr to beat, but was flung into touch before he could dot down.

As time ticked down, Ayr came knocking again, in search of a seventh. With a minute minutes remaining, Jamie Shedden went close but was brought down with the line at his mercy, and Ayr won a penalty for a deliberate knockdown.

The scrum came to nothing though and the referee blew for full time, sending Ayr into raptures.

Full time: Ayr 41 – 12 Watsonians

Team sheets:

Ayr
15. Robbie Orr, 14. Amena Caqusau, 13. Jamie Shedden, 12. Andrew Stirrat, 11. Luca Bardelli, 10. Robert Beattie, 9. Fergus Johnston; 1. Jamie Drummond, 2. James Malcolm,
3. Calvin Henderson, 4. Edward Bloodworth, 5. Rory Jackson, 6. Ryan Sweeney, 7. Lewis McNamara, 8. Blair Macpherson (captain).

Replacements
16. Alexander McGuire, 17. Caleb Rae, 18. Rhodri Tanner, 19. Oscar Baird, 20. Tim Brown, 21. Adam McGowan, 22. Thomas Lanni.

Watsonian FC
15. Freddie Owsley, 14. Lomond Macpherson, 13. Ronan Kerr, 12. Dom Coezter, 11. Sam Leweni, 10. Jason Baggott (cc), 9. Murray Scott; 1. Cole Lamberton, 2. Cal Davies, 3. Martin McGinley, 4. Luis Ball, 5. Kwagga Van Niekerk, 6. Seb Cecil, 7. Zander Mactaggart, 8. Neil Irvine-Hess (cc).

Replacements
16. Matthew Pritchard, 17. Craig Davidson, 18. Tom Gracie, 19. Stu Allison, 20. Josh Minty, 21. Chris Bell, 22. Zander Walls.

Match Officials
Ref: Samuel O’Neil
AR1: Lee Fish
AR2: Bob Nevins
No4: Tom French
No5: Willie Anderson

Tries
Ayr: Caqusau (3), Bardelli (2), Lanni (1)
Watsonians: Baggott (1), Macpherson (1)

Conversions
Ayr: Johnston (4)
Watsonians: Baggott (1)

Penalties
Ayr: Johnston (1)
Watsonians:

Yellow/red cards
Ayr: Orr (yellow)
Watsonians: