Millbrae welcomes Glasgow and Exeter

Glasgow Warriors have announced that Millbrae will host a pre-season friendly against Exeter Chiefs.  The Warriors will take on the English Premiership side on Thursday 23rd August, kicking off at 7:30pm. 

Ayr RFC has close links with the RaboDirect PRO12 side, with several Warriors players having previously turned out for the men in pink and black. 

Club president Billy McHarg said: "It's an absolute honour to be hosting this game and we're delighted to be working with Glasgow Warriors to put this fixture on."

You can read the full story here.

Bastille Bonanza

Ayr RFC is delighted to host Ayr Town Twinning Association's Bastille Bonanza on Saturday 14th July from 1pm to 5pm.

To celebrate France's national day, ATTA are putting on a day of fun at Millbrae, including various craft stalls, indoor and outdoor activities for both adults and children such as Owl Magic, Creation Station and face painting, Zumba, Spirals and Bokwa demonstrations, live music, a quiz, a blind wine tasting, pétanque, afternoon teas with Café Français pastries and a tombola with a special prize donated by the French Consul.

For more information please contact Denise at ayrtowntwin@live.com

Turnberry Beach Rugby

If your rugby withdrawal symptoms just refuse to abate and you can't wait for the new season to kick off in August, then fear not, because two of Ayr's 1st XV players have the solution.  Turnberry Beach Rugby is the brain child of Andrew Dunlop and Stuart Fenwick, and takes place this weekend.

Men's and women's teams will compete on the sandy shores of Turnberry in a fast-paced and exciting competition that boasts free admission to daytime spectators.  Play begins at midday on Saturday.

The evening before, food and drinks will be available from 7pm, with acoustic music from 8pm.  On Saturday night, wristbands will be available for £5 for admission to the bar and music marquee.

Full details are on the event's Facebook page.

Women's rugby at Ayr RFC

Ayr RFC hosted its first women's rugby training session on Monday evening at Rozelle Park.  Women's rugby has steadily been rising in playing and spectator numbers over the past decade, and Ayr is now getting in on the act.

South Ayrshire SRU development officer, and Ayr 1st XV player, Stuart Fenwick decided to run a taster session after Queen Margaret Academy pupils suggested there was an appetite for women's rugby in Ayrshire.  Open to those aged fourteen years and over, the session attracted fifteen women of various ages and abilities.

Over an hour and a half, the women took part in touch rugby games, rugby-specific circuits, strength and tackling training.  Stuart was assisted by Lindsey Smith, the SRU's women's co-ordinator for the west of Scotland and apprentice William Black. 

All fifteen women seemed to be having a great time, and as one spectator noted, "It looks more fun than going to the gym."

"It was hard work, but good fun," commented Ann Marie Connelly.  "We enjoyed the bonding."

Stuart was pleased with the tournout and hopes for higher numbers next week, when he holds another training session at Rozelle.  Sessions will relocate to Millbrae when the pitches have undergone their final pre-season preparation.

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for details.

- Elena Hogarth.

Ayr's new signings in the news

As already announced on our front page, Ayr has made six new signings for the coming season.  The Herald is hot on our heels with the breaking news of Peter Jericevich, Dean Kelbrick, Nick Campbell, George Hunter, Kerr Gossman and Craig Gossman's arrival at Millbrae for an exciting year ahead.  We look forward to welcoming them on board.

Read the full story here and keep your eyes peeled for more news of signings in the coming weeks.

EH

Fergusson and McConnell in Scotland squad for Junior World Championship

Two of Ayr's best young players will be flying out to South Africa at the end of the month as part of the Scotland squad competing in the IRB Junior World Championship.  Fly-half/utility back Robbie Fergusson and scrum-half Murray McConnell have been named in Peter Wright's Under-20s squad to face France, Argentina and Australia in the pool stages and hopefully beyond.

You can read the full story here.




Fergusson and Bennett celebrate a win for Scotland U20s

McConnell on the charge for Ayr

Fergusson and McConnell are joined in a squad of 28 by some of the most talented young Scottish players, including former Ayr man Mark Bennett, who now plies his trade with French side Clermont Auvergne.

EH


McConnell leads Scotland U20s to win

Ayr's Murray McConnell captained Scotland U20s to a 33-16 win over the English Counties U20s.  Fellow Millbrae youngster Robbie Fergusson also started for the Scots at the University of St Andrews sports ground on Friday evening and scored a try for the men in blue.  The young Scots came from behind to record an encouraging victory over their English rivals that bodes well for next month's Junior World Championship.

A brief preview of the friendly fixture can be read here.

EH