Callum Kerr @ Millbrae
Yesterday the Ayrshire Bulls bounced back to winning ways with a dominant performance over Boroughmuir Bears. An early try put Pat Macarthur’s men in the front foot, and they showed no sign in slowing, coasting to a 49-7 victory.
(Photo – George McMillan)
It would be untrue to say Pat MacArthur was different at full time yesterday than the previous week’s defeat, as he was surprisingly optimistic after the Watsonians loss. He felt his men had shown they had the credentials to win the tournament and yesterday they rewarded his faith.
Speaking to press following the victory he said: “Look we are going to lose games and for me it is about reaction, how we turn up on the Monday to then get ourselves better. If we stick to what we practise, we’ll be good. At Watsonians in the second half we looked a little bit lost, playing a score line instead of a performance… Today we showed we’ve learned from that”.
He continued: “It was a good days work. Boroughmuir came down here with a lot of confidence, on the back of two bonus point wins, so we knew we needed to start well – start clinical.
“I’m very proud of the effort from the boys”.
Elias Caven did most of the damage, with a trio of tries punishing the Bears. Captain Blair Macpherson chipped in with one of his own, with a trademark carry from the base of a ruck. Aaron Tait also scored alongside a 60-metre solo effort from Jamie Shedden. The cherry-on-top was a Liam McNamara try on the stroke of full-time.
Boroughmuir’s consolation try came from Marcus Goodwin, barrelling over from the back of a maul.
Bobby Beattie was named FOSROC Player of the Match. The centre was at the heart of every attack and showed how dangerous his creative running lines can be. He also stewarded youngster Richie Simpson at fly half around the park on his first start for the club – showing the home fans glimpses of what could be a fruitful partnership.
MacArthur and the squad have no time to celebrate the victory, as Watsonians travel to Millbrae this Friday night. The match provides the perfect opportunity to avenge the previous defeat: “For me it is about putting in a full eighty minute performance this time… We’ll review this and really look at how we will take them on. I don’t change the team we are so I’ll take confidence from that into Friday’s game with Watsonians”.