Ayr Ladies experienced their first defeat in their RBS Women's National League Division 2 campaign when they came up against a well-organised and fired-up Glasgow University side at Millbrae on Sunday.
After a shaky start from both teams, Ayr settled down and produced some exciting breaks from number eight Lisa Croniken, prop Gemma Swankie and outside centre Laura Turner. However, Glasgow were extremely tough in defence and quickly snuffed out any attacks from Ayr.
The forwards coped well at the scrum, winning several against the head, and second row Lynda Morgan proved a safe pair of hands at the line-out.
Ayr managed to match Glasgow's defence, with terrific tackles from Croniken and flanker Laura Sommerville. In fact, each side seemed to be cancelling the other out and the first thirty minutes were scoreless until Glasgow went over for an unconverted try. 0-5.
Ayr struck back five minutes later, with Croniken charging up the touchline to release winger Emily Irving, who touched down for her first try. She couldn't convert it. 5-5.
The second half began well for the visitors, with their full-back speeding away from the fifty-metre line to score under the posts. The conversion was successful. 5-12.
Ayr dug deep and put Glasgow under pressure at the scrum, winning it against the head once more to allow Irving to get her second try. Her conversion was short. 10-12.
Glasgow then pinned Ayr in their own half for several minutes, but a brilliant run from replacement back Daryl Paterson saw the pink ladies break free. Alas, it wasn't enough, and despite tough tackles from prop Louise McLauchlan and hooker Amy McGillivray, Glasgow crossed for another try. The conversion hit the post. 10-17.
It was a physical encounter, with several Ayr players hurt, and after another injury break, the university side scored under the posts again. The conversion took the score to 10-24.
Ayr kept their heads up, stealing Glasgow line-out ball and McGillivray making a break to push on into the opposition half. Each side turned over and knocked on a couple of times, but it was Glasgow who managed to launch an attack, only to be scuppered by an excellent tackle from replacement back Hazel Malakoty.
Despite Glasgow's unusual rallying cry of "Up the Badgers" ringing round Millbrae, Ayr weren't put off, with inside centre Laura McTaggart deftly taking a high ball under pressure. Their scrum was also still functioning well and they continued to batter away at Glasgow's solid defence until Irving got over the tryline with five minutes to go. She couldn't manage the wide conversion. 15-24.
Ayr continued to plug away but Glasgow University coach, and Ayr men's first XV captain, Calum Forrester has clearly passed on all his defensive expertise, and there was no way through for them.
Final score: Ayr Ladies 15 Glasgow University 24.
- Elena Hogarth.
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