Bailey Paterson, Gala's six-year-old mascot for this match, stated in his programme profile that he wants to be a spaceman when he grows up.

He probably wants to see his team string a few passes together as well, but the suspicion at Netherdale yesterday was that the young fellow will be zooming across the cosmos before that ever starts to happen.

It would flatter Gala's handling to call it execrable. In fact, it would flatter Gala's handling to call it handling. They fumbled, they flapped and made a complete dog's breakfast of every bit of possession that came their way in a backline blunderfest of epic proportions. "It's quite difficult not to score when you've got a three-to-one overlap," observed one long-suffering supporter as he trudged out of the ground. "But we managed."

In fairness to the Borders side, much of the match took place in a kind of misty drizzle that made the finer arts of rugby just that little bit more challenging. Yet Ayr managed to hang on to the ball in a manner that was completely beyond the repertoire of the home team. Maybe it's something to do with all the damp air they breathe on the west coast.

Maybe they rather liked the idea of rising to the top of the BT Premiership as well, which is where they were at the end of a day that saw Heriot's, the leaders yesterday morning, go down 18-20 against Glasgow Hawks. Ayr have not held that lofty position this season, but they will be able to enjoy the dizzying heights as the league now goes into shutdown until the end of November.

"That's where we want to be," said Ayr coach Calum Forrester. "The top four in the league don't come into the cup until after Christmas, while all the other teams in the league will get a game in a couple of weeks time.

"But we have had games for 13 Saturdays in a row now, so it is a good time for guys to have a rest. It gives an opportunity for a few of the guys who have been carrying knocks to relax and get their bodies fit again. We are in a good position now and we will get a few more back after this break"

In stark contrast to Gala's wanton ways, Forrester's side looked after ball as if charged with the care of a royal baby. "Our ball retention is something that has been a lot better over the past couple of weeks," said the coach. "It is something we have really focused on."

Ayr also took their chances, while the Maroons butchered far too many to feel entitled victory. Ayr were not miles ahead in any particular area - except that of holding on to the ball - but they had the edge in most of them and they had the composure to make those little advantages tell.

Forrester added: "We didn't really get our game going in the first half, but the one thing we did was come away with points when we got into their 22. We were quite ruthless when we were down there. In the second half we raised the tempo and I'm really proud of the boys' display across the board."

Gala had managed to get the first try of the game, with winger Lewis Young ploughing over in the 14th minute after a period of improbably concerted pressure. They also claimed a second, just short of the hour mark when Grayson Hart, the Edinburgh pro, had the presence of mind to take a quick tap penalty then shovel the ball on to Euan Dods for the No 8 to crash over.

But Ayr always had that element of added sparkle behind their dominant scrum. Full-back Craig Gossman used his speed and elusive running to good effect, collecting tries in the 38th and 53rd minutes, while the forwards kept up their end of things with touchdowns by Blair MacPherson, in the 32nd minute, and Robert MacAlpine, the former Edinburgh lock, just before the end.

Overall, Gala simply lacked fizz. They were flat. Their pack is starting to look long in the tooth, and they are in desperate need of new blood. Not that coach George Graham was minded to put the blame there.

"In no way am I making any excuses," Graham said. "We were soundly beaten today and that's just one of the things we have to get on with."