Ross Curle emerged as the man who mattered as Ayr completed the Premiership double over west coast rivals Glasgow Hawks at Millbrae.
Hawks had battled bravely in a scoreless first half, but it was playmaker Curle who tipped the balance in Ayr's favour with a 42nd-minute try, which he also converted.
Two penalties gave the visitors fresh hope, but two more target-finders by Curle and a late touchdown from Andy Dunlop ensured the home side of an 18-6 success.
Gala's roller-coaster campaign took another downward lurch as they came a cropper by 21-10 at the hands of Currie at Malleny Park.
The bulk of the damage was inflicted in the first half, when Currie's hard work earned them a 14-0 lead, thanks to two converted tries from Kevin Bryce.
Ross Weston added a third before Gala staged a recovery which yielded two scores, but at no stage did they look likely to overhaul the hosts.
A penalty try five minutes from time clinched a precious 29-15 bonus point for Heriot's against Hawick as they kick-started their title drive at Goldenacre.
The Edinburgh side had struggled to impose their authority after taking an early lead and they had to rely on a second-half rally to snuff out the stubborn Greens.
Champions Melrose had to stave off a late Stirling County rally to make sure of their 20-18 success in a close encounter at the Greenyards.
Bruce Colvine's touchdown appeared to put the hosts in control, but when Gary Mountford plunged over for the Bridgehaugh men, the contest was back in the melting pot.
Melrose then had to dig deep in the tension-packed final stages to prevent County going home with the win points.
Sepp Visser returned to Meggetland to inspire Boroughmuir to a crucial 22-16 win in the relegation derby with capital rivals Edinburgh Accies.
The home side were clinging on by a single point with just seven minutes left when the Dutchman scooted in for the clincher. Alex Glashan had notched all the Accies points from a try, a conversion and three penalties.
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