To winners Gala went the spoils:

a six-point lead at the top of the table, plus ownership of the Bill McLaren Shield. To losers Ayr, the realisation their champions' crown is not as much being worn uneasily as falling off an increasingly shoogly peg.

And to Scottish club rugby, reeling from the beatings handed out to their two fully professional sides on Friday night, confirmation that we do have talented, committed Scottish players who can entertain.

Ayr camped in the Gala 22 for almost the entire opening quarter at Millbrae. In that time Craig Gossman kicked a penalty goal and big brother Kerr ran in two lovely tries. However, in the final analysis, the home team's failure to take more from this fierce opening blast proved costly.

Right from the start, Gala's defence was impressive. Then, towards half-time, they began to press a resilient home defence, probing and re-cycling, until the impressive Ewan McQuillin found himself with the freedom of Millbrae, and three men unmarked outside him. So, he did what props do in such circumstances and rumbled over for a try, which Ewen Scott kicked to make it 13-7 at half time.

Coach George Graham had stern words with his men at half-time - patience, character and defence were just three of them. The Braw Lads pinned their hosts back, McQuillin applied intolerable pressure on George Hunter in the scrums and the resultant penalty try, goaled by Scott, put Gala ahead.

Craig Gossman's yellow-carding further ratcheted up the pressure on the home side. Scott kicked two further penalties to tease out a seven-point lead before Ayr came up with a finale worthy of any Hollywood blockbuster.

However, the thin maroon line held. Twice the home pack rumbled over, but could not ground the ball; Gala men, forwards and backs alike, defended as if their line was the mission at Rorke's Drift, and, in the end, they got their reward with the final whistle on a marvellous and crucial victory.

A great win, but, Graham is not taking his side's six-point lead for granted. "One game at a time," he stressed, before adding: "Our superb defence won this one for us".

Opposite number Peter Laverie was left frustrated. "Poor decision-making cost us. Gala took their chances, we didn't. Their defence was outstanding, but the title race isn't over."

In the other contest on Saturday, Edinburgh Accies edged out Stirling County 31-30 at Bridgehaugh.