THIS was a stirring west of Scotland derby with all the right qualities before Ayr took off back down the M77 carrying the match points and the Bill McLaren Shield.
Ayr have been the Glasgow District torchbearers for the past decade, but now their title of 'Best in the West' is being seriously threatened by a Hawks team which matched them in every department across the pitch on Saturday but came up agonisingly short. "Ayr are the benchmark for club sides, but we are closing the gap," said Hawks coach Jamie Dempsey.
"They took their chances, we didn't. But we took them to the final kick of the game. Their consistency is difficult to overcome, but we almost had them. We are maturing as a group and are confident in our future."
Calum Forrester, Dempsey's opposite number, said: "These teams know each other backwards. Both sets of players gave everything, it was a true derby, with everyone up for it, and we're delighted to have won.
"We scored two good tries, kept the ball well and, while I am disappointed at the way we conceded their first try, I can take a lot from this match. Our discipline was tremendous, and we kept the ball well when we had it. Two wins from two tough games: I'm happy."
Grant Anderson and Kerr Gossman scored excellent first-half tries for Ayr, both converted by Gavin Lowe, but a George Horne drop goal and a penalty from the stand-off, plus a well-taken Haddon McPherson try in injury time made it 14-13 to the visitors at the break.
Ayr's Callum Templeton was on the 'naughty step' when McPherson scored and with his return Ayr cranked up the pressure, Lowe kicking two penalties to stretch their lead. Kenny Beattie then finished off a superb maul by the home pack to make it 20-18.
Ayr survived 10 minutes with Scott Sutherland in the bin before coming back to pound unsuccessfully at the home line. When Hawks broke out, Ayr showed they too could defend in depth and, with the final kick of an enthralling game, Horne sclaffed a potentially match-winning drop goal wide; Ayr had won the day.
Jock Craig, Ayr's director of rugby, is recuperating from a heart attack and results such as this will surely help speed his recovery.
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