Arnold Clark Men’s Premiership Final Match Report: Ayr RFC 41-27 Currie Chieftains

Chris Hyde got the match underway as the sun gleamed on the historic Burns Monument, the perfect backdrop for what turned out to be a physical, high scoring encounter at Millbrae.

The first ten minutes were all about the hosts as Ayr dominated possession. However, they were unable to turn pressure into points with two failed try attempts and Currie’s defense standing firm. Both teams made their share of mistakes early on, with Currie spilling an early lineout and playing into Ayr’s hands, only for them to spill the ball on the try line.

Ayr earned a penalty from their first scrum, a pattern that would continue through the full 80 minutes, and Robbie Orr confidently kicked to the corner, allowing them to set up their attack using the full width of the pitch. Flyhalf Bobby Beattie kept searching for space but it was a pick and go from captain Blair Macpherson that got the first points on the board. Chris Hyde managed the conversion (Ayr 7-0 Currie, 14 minutes).

Currie were eager to respond immediately, with Sam Cardosi goose stepping in an attempt to get through the opposition defence. The ball made its way to Matthew Bradshaw on the wing but co-captain Gregor Christie capitalised on the smallest bit of space to finish in the corner and bring the score within two points (Ayr 7-5 Currie, 18 minutes).

That wasn’t enough for the visitors as they opted for a lineout maul from a penalty, with hooker Ryan Stewart scoring to take the lead for the first time in the encounter. Ayr responded through a lineout maul of their own as Alex McGuire powered his way over the line through to leave only two points in it (Ayr 12-10 Currie, 25 minutes).

The men in pink and black got the crowd on their feet when Jamie Shedden broke through the defence and ran about 40 metres before offloading to scrumhalf Fergus Johnston who lost control of the ball right in front of the try line.

The pressure continued to build as Currie overthrew their lineout only 10 metres from the try line in their own half but they managed to hold the ball up when it mattered most and deny any further points. The relief was short-lived as Ayr’s forwards continued in their quest, with a strong carry from Jamie Drummond  setting them up neatly for their third try (Ayr 19-10 Currie, 32 minutes).

As half time loomed, Currie opted for a lineout in the left corner and Fraser Sayers did brilliantly to find the space open wide to set Ryan Daley up to run into the corner, bringing the game within four points at the end of the half (Ayr 19-15 Currie, 40 minutes).

Half time: Ayr 19 – 15 Currie Chieftains

The visitors came out fired up in the second half, making their intentions clear by applying early pressure and opting to kick to touch instead of taking the three points from a penalty in front of the posts. Their dedication paid off as Christie timed his pass perfectly to set Cardosi up out wide to reclaim the lead by a single point (Ayr 19-20 Currie, 44 minutes).

The hosts were working tirelessly in search for points, and it was Beattie who came up just short on the try line before Currie forced a scrum right in front of the posts. Macpherson powered his way over once again for his second to bring the game to four tries a piece (Ayr 26-20 Currie, 50 minutes).

The back and forth between the sides continued as tempers flared but it was the home side who found a second wind. Another powerful scrum and the midfield partnership working perfectly set Shedden up for a well deserved try. And just two minutes later, inside centre Robbie Orr put his foot on the gas to run in a try from his own half, leaving the Edinburgh side with work to do in the final 10 minutes of the final (Ayr 38-20 Currie, 67 minutes).

An intercept from Christie saved Currie from conceding any further points but it was Daley who kept their hopes alive when he regathered his chip down the right field, found Sayers who offloaded to Bradshaw who made no mistake dotting down under the posts (Ayr 38-27, 72 minutes).

With just seconds left to play, the teams packed down for one final scrum which Ayr maintained control of. Johnston passed to Beattie who was waiting in the pocket to slot a cheeky drop goal and cement their second consecutive title in front of an elated home crowd (Ayr 41-27 Currie Chieftains).

Full time: Ayr 41-27 Currie Chieftains

Ayr RFC: 15. Chris Hyde, 14. Adam McGowan, 13. Jamie Shedden, 12. Robbie Orr, 11. Jack Craig, 10. Bobby Beattie, 9. Fergus Johnston, 1. Jamie Drummond, 2. Alex McGuire, 3. Rhodri Tanner, 4. Ed Bloodworth, 5. Rory Jackson, 6. Ryan Sweeney, 7. Tim Brown, 8. Blair Macpherson (c)

Replacements: 16. Jamie McAughtrie, 17. Caleb Rae, 18. Calvin Henderson, 19. Cameron Reece, 20. Oscar Baird, 21. Lewis McNamara, 22. Scott Watson.

Currie Chieftains:  15. Fraser Sayers, 14. Ryan Daley, 13. DJ Innes, 12. Scott Robeson, 11. Matthew Bradshaw, 10. Alex Harley, 9. Gregor Christie (cc), 1. Chris Anderson, 2. Ryan Stewart, 3. Gregor Scougall, 4. Courtney West, 5. Ali Bain, 6. Rhys Davies (cc), 7. Sam Cardosi, 8. Ed Hasdell

Replacements: 16. Ewan McCallum, 17. Nic Thompson, 18. Andrew Hoggarth, 19. Ross Morrison, 20. Archie Fletcher, 21. Hamish Chisholm, 22. Euan Crombie.

Player of the Match: Jamie Shedden

Referee: Samuel O’Neil

AR1: Michael Todd

AR2: Chelsea Gillespie