Callum Kerr @ Millbrae
The Ayrshire Bulls slumped to an opening round defeat at Millbrae this evening against Watsonians. With a short run-in to the championship both sides struggled with execution, but it was the visitors who managed to inch their way to a 3-11 win.
(Image – George McMillan)
Delusions of sparkling summer rugby were knocked on their heads by the onslaught of rain at kick-off. As the early exchanges rolled on the weather worsened with neither side gaining control of the game.
Watsonians were dealt a blow 12 minutes into the contest. The Bulls had a rolling maul closing on the visitors try-line. Neil Irvine-Hess managed to thwart the threat, but the ref deemed his involvement illegal – coming in from the side – and brandished a yellow card.
Despite the numerical disadvantage they managed to weather the period well, escaping out the other side of it with a 0-3 lead courtesy of a Jason Baggott penalty.
The Bulls maul continued to hurt them, however, and another maul penalty resulted in Donald Voas going to the sin bin for the same infringement.
Half-time: Ayrshire Bulls 0-3 Watsonians
The Bulls came out with a sharpness that was absent for much of the first half. Within two minutes they’d levelled the scoring through the boot of Brad Roderick-Evans.
Pat MacArthur’s men kept their foot on the gas, but Watsonians weathered it valiantly. A dominance at scrum-time gave them valuable yards when it mattered but they couldn’t turn it into points.
After twenty minutes of gridlock Watsonians pulled back in front. Ex-Ayrshire Bull Kody McGovern found a slither of space on his wing and managed to dot down – the conversion skewed wide.
Full-time: Ayrshire Bulls 3-11 Watsonians
Neil Irvine-Hess was named FOSROC Player of the Match.