PREMIER pacesetters Ayr were forced to weather two storms at Millbrae as they again underlined their title credentials.
They had to master the driving rain and fierce winds – along with the threat of a spirited West outfit.
After soaking up early pressure, the seasiders surged in front in the 17th minute thanks to a moment of magic by AJ McFarlane. The alert scrum
-half caught the West markers on the hop by taking a quick tapped penalty, giving himself the time and space to dive over.
Frazier Climo added the extra points and helped to create the second try in the approach to the interval. Julian Montoro and Paul Burke provided the link for full-back Colin McCallum to scoot over in the corner.
West had a bright spell after the restart, with Connor Davis looking particularly dangerous, but again they couldn't turn pressure into precious points.
And their challenge was effectively snuffed out when Climo banged over a 45-metre penalty with the wind at his back.
Then McFarlane, Montoro and Burke combined forces to send Wilson in for Ayr to stretch the lead to 20.
West refused to buckle and they prevented any further breaching of their defence until deep into stoppage time, when Climo notched an interception breakaway try, converting the score himself.
The full article contains 231 words and appears in Scotland On Sunday newspaper.
