BT Cup Finals Preview: Ayr and Melrose in search of BT Cup glory

Melrose and Ayr will take centre stage on the international pitch in the BT Cup final after this season’s top two teams from the BT Premiership impressed throughout the rounds (kick-off 3.30pm).The final will be a repeat of last weekend’s BT Premiership final, where Ayr edged out league-leaders Melrose 12-8 in a tense affair to be crowned Scottish club champions at The Greenyards with the Millbrae men aiming to achieve this season’s double.Borders side, Melrose, pushed past defending BT Cup champions Heriot’s 29-19 in their quarter-final clash before moving on to record an impressive 48-18 victory over Stirling County at the semi-final stage.Ayr’s road to the final included a 36-7 quarter-final win over BT National League Division 1 side, Jed-Forest, and a 28-10 semi-final scalp of rivals Glasgow Hawks at Millbrae.Ayr captain, Pete McCallum, said: “We are delighted to have already secured the BT Premiership trophy going into another head-to-head with Melrose in the Cup final.The two sides are very evenly matched and it showed last Saturday in the league final, so we will be expecting much of the same at the national stadium.”Ayr have developed their rugby across all areas over the seasons with much work put in at grassroots level to bring local and young players through.”Ayr Head Coach, Calum Forrester, said: Last week showed how tight these games have been between the two sides over recent matches with it going right down to the final whistle.Melrose will be hurting after last week and will be desperate to finish their season on a high after their efforts over the course of the year. This makes them even more dangerous and our players know that they will need to raise their game again this week.The players are looking forward to the challenge this weekend in what is set to be a big day out for all clubs involved in Cup Finals Day at BT Murrayfield.Melrose will be searching to avenge last season’s BT Cup final defeat to capital side, Heriot’s, while also looking to bounce back from their league title defeat against the west coast contingent.Melrose club captain, Bruce Colvine, said: “We will be preparing just as we did for the league final and will hope that the result goes our way on Saturday.”To lose the league in the manner than we did, it will definitely spur us on for the final and we’ll learn from our mistakes to make sure we perform well to round off our season.The team have performed at a high standard all season, particularly in the league, and we will look to play our usual game, utilising our forward pack to get good go-forward ball against a strong opposition.” Melrose Head Coach, Rob Chrystie, said: To play at the national stadium is always a huge honour for any player and the squad is looking forward to this opportunity.Ayr, I am sure, will be in a buoyant mood after last weekend’s victory and as always will be a handful. We have re-grouped this week and are determined to put in a performance that we can all be proud of. Hopefully both clubs can put on an exciting game for the large crowd that is expected for a BT Premiership showcase.BT Cup Finals Day, Saturday 22 April, BT Murrayfield International Pitch:BT Men’s Bowl Final: Blairgowrie v Portobello (11am)Sarah Beaney Cup: Murrayfield Wanderers v Hillhead / Jordanhill (1.15pm)BT Cup Final: Melrose v Ayr (3.30pm)BT Men’s Shield Final: Murrayfield Wanderers v Carrick (5.45pm)Back Pitches:BT Women’s Plate Final: Stirling County v Stewartry (11am)BT Women’s Bowl Final: Kirkcaldy v Garioch (11am) Tickets cost£10 for adults and£5 for U18 and senior citizens with clubs receiving a commission for any tickets purchased which are associated with their club. Read all about the other BT Cup Finals here.