Stirling Wolves travelled to Millbrae on Friday evening, for their penultimate match of the 2022 FOSROC Super6 Championship.
The hosts struck first in the match when Ollie Smith’s delicate kick over the Wolves defence in the 9th minute found Aaron Tait running on to the end of it to score. Ross Thompson converted successfully. [7-0]
Stirling were forced into a couple of early changes due to injuries, first to George Breese, with Murphy Walker coming on to replace him after 12 minutes and shortly after to Max Williamson, with Lewis Bean coming on for him in the 16th minute.
Wolves almost pulled it level through Ryan Southern in the 21st minute when he broke through the Bulls line, only for some excellent last-ditch defending to prevent him from scoring as he crossed the try-line.
Bulls got their second try in the 28th minute, another kick over the defence, this time from Thompson but again with Tait getting on the end of it after a mistake from Walter Fifita. Thompson’s kick was just wide of the posts. [12-0]
HT: Ayrshire Bulls 12-0 Stirling Wolves
Stirling brought Angus Fraser on for the start of the second half, replacing Gregor Hiddleston.
Ayrshire’s lead was extended in the 48th minute with a pick and go from Blair MacPherson, after Thompson was stopped just short of the try-line. Thompson’s kick was successfully converted. [19-0]
Connor Gordon was brought on for Wolves following the try, with Hamish Ferguson making way.
Stirling made a triple substitution in the 57th minute with John McKenna, Gregor Christie and Craig Jardine coming on to the pitch. Cameron MacMillan, Finlay Burgess and Craig Robertson were the players that made way.
Wolves made their final change in the 64th minute, with Liam Brims replacing Duncan Weir.
MacPherson got his second try of the match five minutes from time, driving over to score by the post. Richie Simpson converted. [26-0]
FT: Ayrshire Bulls 26-0 Stirling Wolves
HEAD COACH
Ben Cairns was asked his thoughts on the match:
“We had an inability to put any pressure on them and didn’t keep the ball beyond a couple of phases in attack, and then also we’ve not really made them work hard before losing discipline and giving them a penalty, which invites them into the 22.
I felt we would get stronger as the game went on, if Ryan Southern scores and it’s 12-7 at half-time, we’re creating a bit of scoreboard pressure, but we just couldn’t convert when we got one or two chances in the first half. Then in the second half we had one passage of over 10 phases but the rest of the time we’ve given the ball away too easily.
Our heart’s there for all to see, but we’re just not accurate enough at the moment and not creating any pressure.”
Match report by Andrew MacInnes
TEAMS
Ayrshire Bulls: 15. Ollie Smith, 14. Jamie Sheddon, 13. Thomas Glendinning, 12. Andy Stirrat, 11. Aaron Tait, 10. Ross Thompson, 9. Jordan Lenac; 1. William Farquhar, 2. James Malcolm, 3. Michael Scott, 4. Edward Bloodworth, 5. Alex Samuel, 6. Rory Jackson, 7. Gavin Wilson, 8. Blair MacPherson (C).
Replacements: 16. Alex McGuire, 17. Andrew Nimmo, 18. Calvin Henderson, 19. Ewan Hamilton-Bulger, 20. Sione Vailanu, 21. Richie Simpson, 22. Cam Jones, 23. Liam McNamara.
Stirling Wolves: 15. Craig Robertson, 14. Euan Cunningham, 13. Ben Salmon, 12. Ryan Southern 11. Walter Fifita, 10. Duncan Weir, 9. Finlay Burgess; 1. Cameron MacMillan, 2. Gregor Hiddleston, 3. George Breese, 4. James Pow, 5. Max Williamson, 6. Hamish Ferguson, 7. George Arnott (C), 8. Benedict Grant.
Replacements: 16. Angus Fraser, 17. John McKenna, 18. Murphy Walker, 19. Lewis Bean, 20. Connor Gordon, 21. Gregor Christie, 22. Liam Brims, 23. Craig Jardine.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: David Sutherland
AR1: Neil Muir
AR2: Alistair Watt
SCORERS
Boroughmuir Bears: TRY: Tait 2, MacPherson 2; CON: Thompson 2, Simpson
Stirling Wolves: None
FOSROC Player of the Match
Alex Samuel (Ayrshire Bulls)
