Tuesday, 5 June 2018

AGM tonight at Millbrae

The 2018 Annual General Meeting will take place tonight (Tuesday 5th) at Millbrae, scheduled to start at 19.30pm.

The club would like to invite as many members as possible to attend and have their say in the club.

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Weekender '18 a Roaring Success

After months of intricate planning the 2018 Land O'Burns Weekender has finally passed and once again proved to be a roaring success. Emulating the buzz of it's maiden year twelve months ago, the weekender fused together beach rugby, a beer festival, creative cuisines, family entertainment and world-class live music into an unforgettable two-day event.


Kicking-off early on the Friday (25/05/18) the action got underway at 5pm with the U-13s tournament taking place. It proved to be a showcase of tomorrow's superstars and in the end the home side, Ayr, came out on top.

The minis' tournament was by followed by the trade touch competition which pitted some of Ayrshire's local businesses against each other out on our man-made beach. Competing was: Courtney Plant, Donnini Apartments, Coorie Nook, Marine Fitness and Shady Tour. After some fiercely competitive group stages it was Coorie Nook who prevailed, dusting off Courtney Plant in the final. Donnini Apartments try-bonus gifted them third,completeing the podium.


Music from the talent DJ Stefan Janik pitch side generated an forgettable festival atmosphere whilst 'Just Like Eddie' wowed spectators on the Designer Studios Stage. The action was followed by the Friday's main event at nine with Jonny Lee Memphis as the iconic Elvis Presley.

The festivities continued into the Saturday where our beach rugby tournament ran in tandem with the Land O'Burns Beer Festival from midday-20:00. A real exhibition of some of the countries finest rugby talents, Newton Stewart snatched up the gold in the mens tournament whilst Hillhead Jordanhill made it back-to-back weekender victories. After the beer festival came to a close at eight local band the Marauders took us into the early hours of the night.



From all at Ayr RFC we thank the hard work from volunteers and sponsors a like who made this festival the best one yet. Lastly, thank you to all who came down this weekend, it was a fine example of the local community getting behind a great cause and we are sure there was some fun had along the way- same time next year?

Land O'Burns Weekender Committee

Jim Lymburn, Jim McKay, Louise McKenzie, Brian Williamson, Stewart Kerr, Callum Kerr, Gavin White, George McMillian, Billy McHarg, Stuart Fenwick, Jim Preston, Lisa Main, Andrew Dunlop, Amy McGillivary

Photos: Karen Crawford 

Tuesday, 8 May 2018

Ayr Youngsters Selected for U20 Championship

Bryan Redpath has announced his first ever Scotland U20s squad ahead of their World Championship starting at the end of this month in France.

Amongst the few that have been selected are four Ayr Players; Euan McLaren, Robbie Smith, Stafford McDowall and Paddy Dewhirst.

Smith, McDowall and Dewhirst were all involved in the recent U20s Six Nations and will look to replicate the heroic performance that saw them fell England when they arrive on the world stage in a few weeks.

Smith and McDowall both lead from the front in the Six Nations, with them being named captain and vice, respectively.

Prop McLaren missed out on a chance at the Six Nations due to injury but has been called straight back into the squad now fit.

We would all like to congratulate the four youngsters in an incredible achievement, and know they will do both Ayr RFC and their country proud.

Tuesday, 1 May 2018

Ayr Announced as Super Six Team

Scottish Rugby have announced that Ayr RFC have been successful in their bid for a Super Six spot.

Joining Ayr in the super six league will be Boroughmuir, Heriots, Melrose, Stirling and Watsonians. The sides who failed in their bid were Currie Chieftains, Dundee, Edinburgh Academicals, Gala, Hawick and Glasgow Hawks.

The change in league structure is set to come in for the 2019/20 season.

Speaking exclusively to ayrrugbyclub.co.uk President Billy McHarg expressed his delight in the announcement with: "I am grateful that all the hard work done on and off the pitch at Ayr RFC has been rewarded with a 'Super Six' franchise.

"The future of the club at the top end of Scottish Rugby has been secured for the next five years".




Callum Kerr
Media Manager


Monday, 30 April 2018

Ayr 2018 Award Winners

Another fantastic season of rugby over the last ten months culminated in the 2018 Awards dinner on Friday night.

Held within the familiar surroundings of Ayr Racecourse rugby excellence was celebrated from all of those who have donned pink, black and green this campaign.

In the U-16 boys Michael Lafferty picked up two awards for his performances and commitment to the team, coming away with Clubman of the Year and Players' Player of the Year. Matthew Fripp was awarded Most Improved with Dylan Wilson named Player of the Year. Wendy Short was also commended for her unwavering commitment to hospitality duties.

The U-18 boys awards followed with Mathew Field and Dale Molenaar winning hardest trainers. Andy Morrison picked up Most Improved and Olly Mossie was celebrated by his teammates, who selected him as Players' Player of the Year. Club Captain Harry Lynch lead by example all campaign and was awarded Player of the Year.

It has been a troublesome season so far for Millbrae but with four games still to play they are starting to build some serious momentum, catapulting themselves to league safety. Lee White picked up their only award of the night- Player of the Year.

In the ladies section Cieron Bell was awarded U-18s Player of the Season. In the senior team Neve Findlay won Young Player of the Year with Robyn Gibson picking up Most Improved. Joanne Jones capped off a scintillating run of form this season with both Players' Player of the Year and Player of the Year.

The penultimate awards of the night were for the Ayr 2nd XV. Stuart Collier was awarded Young Player of the Year with Euan Hamilton picking up Most Improved. Utility front row Ben Paterson was voted Players' Player of the Year by his teammates and Cameron Reece won Player of the Year.

Before the 1st XV awards a special thanks was made to departing players Scott Sutherland and George Hunter, along with Head Coach Calum Forrester. All three men have been paramount in the club's success over the last decade and will be thoroughly missed around Millbrae. Club physio Helen Reid also received a bouquet of flowers, as she leaves the club on maternity leave.

Scott Lyle has had a barnstorming debut year at Ayr and was awarded with Young Player of the Year, with Robbie Smith picking up Most Improved. Tommy Spinks was named Players' Player of the Year and Steven Longwell ended the night with Player of the Year.


Photos: George McMillian 

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Weekend Review

The 1st XV season may have drawn to a close but their was still plenty pink, black and green action over the weekend.

On Saturday Millbrae continued their rich vein of form with an impressive 27-31 win over Lenzie RFC. The away victory moves them out of second-bottom and further into relegation safety. They will look to emulate their heroic performance this Saturday when they host Birkmyre. The match kicks off at 15.00 at Millbrae.

On Sunday our ladies battled hard in their last game of the season away to Watsonians but errors cost them dearly. Playing on the back-pitches at BT Murrayfield they struggled to pull out of second gear and fell 97-0. The defeat marked Laura Turner's last game as skipper.

There was also plenty action for our Ayr-Wellington Youth teams on Sunday. Through in Stirling our primary 4s and 7s won the 'Fair Play Award' in their respective year groups and William McHarg won 'best floss dance' in a dancing competition between all at the tournament.

In Dumfries our U-15s cruised to the West of Scotland Cup Final with a 0-55 victory. The final is scheduled for Sunday April 29 where they will face GHA at Millbrae. KO is at 2pm.

Closer to home the U-16s followed in the footsteps of the year below, seeing off Hawks 27-26 to secure a spot in their West of Scotland Cup Final. Coming from behind, the game went down to the wire where a penalty kick stole victory in injury time.  The U-18s face GHA away from home, kicking-off at 2pm.


Thursday, 19 April 2018

Tartan Touch Spaces NOW AVAILABLE

Tartan Touch, Scottish Rugby's community-based initiative, kicks-off at Millbrae on Friday May 11 and will run for ten weeks.

The scheme welcomes people of all ages and ability.

You can now book your spots online at eventbrite for both individual sessions and for a season pass. The season pass costs £20 with session set at £3 each.

U-12s go free, however need parents to sign them up online prior to the session.

The initiative which is derived from simple, non-contact rugby started last summer and was a real hit. Aimed at getting more individuals involved with rugby, last years 20 host clubs generated £14,000 and welcomed 1,800 individuals. This year ten more clubs have joined the scheme, including Ayr.

Save £10 and book your season passes here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tartan-touch-summer-pass-ayr-rfc-registration-44872681398

To book individual sessions go here:https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/tartan-touch-single-pass-ayr-rfc-registration-44980892059