Callum Kerr at Millbrae
Earlier this evening the Ayrshire Bulls ran in nine tries in a 59-24 route of Watsonians at Millbrae – securing home advantage in next week’s FOSROC Super Series Sprint Final. Watsonian’s – hampered by a red card ten minutes into the contest – did well to keep the Bulls at arm’s length until the interval but ran out of steam as the game marched on.
Their four tries confirmed a consolation bonus point, but they’ll need to bank on a draw tomorrow between Stirling and Heriots to keep their Sprint title defence alive.
(Photo – George McMillan)
A jubilant Pat MacArthur wasted no time in addressing the red card – which was given to Robert Bratton for a headbutt – when chatting to press at full time: “It is a real shame because it was two good teams going hard at each other. The red card of course made a difference and credit to Watsons who stuck in… but by the end the set piece started to kick in and their boys tired”.
There was still half an hour to play before the interval when the red was shown with the game sitting at 7-7 when the incident occurred. Despite the advantage – and a bucket load of scoring between both sides – the gap at the half time was only 26-24. When asked about what the message was in the changing room, MacArthur chuckled: “It was a lot of expletives.
“When teams need to get back into games they either play frantic rugby or they concede lots of penalties. I told them to control the game pace. There’s no requirement to give away penalties when we’ve got the advantage so that was our focus.
“I told them to stick to the systems and good will come off the back of that and it did”.
The final venue is confirmed, as is the top seed, but Pat MacArthur and his men have a wait to find out who’ll be travelling to Burns country next Friday night. Watsonians sit in second for the time being with Stirling and Heriots going head-to-head tomorrow. Both sides trail Watsons by three points which means whoever wins will leapfrog to second. The Edinburgh men need to hope the sides cancel each other out if they’re to return for a second crack at the Bulls.
Speaking on the importance of that home final, MacArthur said: “It’s outstanding. Tonight, when Glasgow are in a European Final, we still have a bloomin’ good crowd… That support is massive for us”.
Be part of that support next Friday when the Bulls look to win their first Sprint title. The match kicks off at 19.35 and will also be televised on BBC Alba.