Aberdeen Grammar 9 - 16 Ayr: Dismal Aberdeen are no match for Ayr

AYR displayed the greater desire to win, which against a poor shadow of an Aberdeen side proved sufficient to give the Millbrae side their first win in three starts, though it was never a game to thrill.

Ayr assistant coach Peter Laverie underlined the importance of the victory when he said: “This was a big one for us after defeats against Melrose and Currie. I thought we showed a good attitude, tackling superbly, and displaying a cutting edge that our opponents lacked.’’

Aberdeen were woeful, never remotely likely to score a try, which given the fact the Rubislaw side has scored 16 touchdowns in its return to Premier 1 was hard for the home support to take.

The northerners had to rely on the boot of stand-off Rob Aloe who, although not his normally authorative self, kicked three penalties.

Two of these scores came in the first half to keep his side in touch at 8-6 at the break.

Ayr were much the more enterprising of the two teams, even if they had to rely on a mistake by the home side which enabling centre Ross Curle to run in unchallenged from 70 metres after intercepting a wild pass to score the first try on the stroke of half-time.

Replacement centre Nick Elrick scored a second on the hour to leave the home side with the consolation of a losing bonus point.

Ayr’s tally was boosted by penalties in each half from winger Sylvan Diak and a last- gasp effort from Curle.

On this form Ayr could still make the top three of the division. However, Aberdeen will struggle to make the top eight come the break in early November.

Scorers: Aberdeen: Pens: R Aloe (3). Ayr: Tries: R Curle, N Elrick. Pens: S Diaz, R Curle.

Aberdeen: S Aitken, E Oag, A Dunbar, W Wardlaw, A Alapati, R Aloe, M Ward. N Fraser, S O’Connor, R Allan, E Nimmons, M Douglas (c), R Barrie, T McGinness, G Ryan. Subs used: M Dixon, C McConnachie, S Warnock, F Lyle, R Lawson.

Ayr: G Anderson, S Manning, R Curle, M Stewart (c), S Diaz, R Fergusson, AJ Macfarlane, G Reid, H Wisenewski, S Fenwick, J Dunning, C White, R Doneghan, A Dunlop, G Fisken. Subs used: C Davidson, D Young, M McConnell, N Elrick, C Templeton.

Referee: A Macpherson.