UPDATE Ayr win cross-border skirmish
Ayr battled hard away to Blaydon in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday to eventually win 26-22.
The Millbrae men had headed to Newcastle looking for a test ahead of their RBS Premiership opener away to Boroughmuir on Saturday.
Ayr's tries came from Ross Doneghan, new arrival Dean Kelbrick, Ross Curle and Richard Dalgleish, with new stand-off Finn Russell converting three of them.
Ayr head coach Kenny Murray, pictured, said: "I was really pleased with the guys' attitude. We were playing against a good side who have strong links with Newcastle Falcons, but when we got into our stride we played some good stuff."
Glasgow Hawks gave themselves a boost ahead of their RBS National League campaign with a home win over top-flight side Aberdeen Grammar.
Glasgow this summer lost a number of players after relegation, but flew out of the blocks to go up 15-5 at Old Anniesland.
Aberdeen pulled things back to 15-12 when Glasgow recruit Haddon McPherson was in the sin bin for a high tackle, but a great solo effort from the returning Mike Adamson after an interception put the home side 22-12 up.
The visitors fought back to enter the closing stages 24-22 before the home side clinched the match with a late converted try.
Elsewhere on Saturday it was Heriot's of the top-flight clubs who most impressed, defeating Watsonians 70-14 at Goldenacre with a great pack performance, led by CJ Osazuwa and Fraser Brown, setting the tone for the afternoon.
Boroughmuir, Edinburgh Accies, Dundee HSFP and Stirling County played in a round-robin event at Meggetland, with all sides having positives to take away.
In the Booker Border League, Nick McGrath and newcomer Lewis Mallin each scored two tries for Melrose at the Greenyards as they beat Peter Wright's Peebles 52-26. The other Melrose tries came from Grant Runciman, Bruce Colvine and new duo Greg White and Andrew Nagle, while Hawick saw off Kelso 41-17.
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