Four tries in friendly with County

Stirling County welcomed Ayr to Bridgehaugh on Saturday for a competitive pre-season fixture that featured seven tries scored between the two sides.

Out on the 2nd XV pitch as club volunteers busied themselves sprucing up the grounds for the new season, the two BT Premiership teams quickly got stuck into the game.

Ayr had the upper hand early on, trapping County in their own half and the visiting backs attacked the try-line. The hosts defended well though and fought their way out of danger.

After testing each other at the set pieces, Stirling teed up a penalty but the kick was unsuccessful.

Points soon appeared on the metaphorical board thanks to some swift footwork by Ayr winger Jamie Bova to get a try, which he was unable to convert.

Stirling stepped up the attack but Ayr winger Craig Gossman and centre Danny McCluskey tackled tenaciously, and hooker Lewis Anderson showed great speed to track down a Stirling back and drag him into touch.

Gossman and McCluskey were then sniffing out an interception and the ball flew through the hands of scrum-half David Armstrong and full-back Grant Anderson. County leaked a few penalties before Ayr's forwards took care of business and nabbed a try which stand-off Graham Hunter converted.

A few jinking runs by flanker Gregor Henry and replacement Stuart Lewis impressed, and when the home team gave away another penalty, Ayr took the line-out and number eight Pete McCallum leapt over in the corner. Hunter's conversion was short.

Ayr started the second half at a canter, with centre Archie Russell racing away up the wing and chipping on. Stirling collected but Ayr regained possession through Bova. Full-back Anderson took it on and muscled his way through the defence.

Another penalty gave Ayr the opportunity to score from the line-out and replacement hooker David Young barrelled over. Lewis's conversion attempt was held up by the wind.

County couldn't be counted out though and their pacy number eight blasted his way over for a try, with the conversion hitting the post before going over the crossbar.

Despite hefty tackles by McCluskey and replacements Cameron Taylor and Richard Dalgleish, the hosts put their foot down and scored a converted try between the posts.

They added another, unconverted, before Ayr youngsters Stafford McDowall and Harry Warr showed what they could do with ball in hand. They couldn't make it all the way to the try-line, and County turned over, looking for a winning score at the other end of the pitch.

Ayr held them back with some well-organised defence and the final whistle came too soon for the hosts but in time for the visitors.

Head coach Calum Forrester was happy with the 22-19 win and his players' efforts after the previous week's victory against GHA.

"We very much focussed on attack last week and this week it was good to look at our defence."

Ayr have their final pre-season fixture next Saturday against Darlington Mowden Park at the Northern Echo Arena before their BT Premiership campaign begins at home against Currie on Saturday 27th August.

- Elena Hogarth.