By David Ferguson
AYR are compiling a neat list of 'firsts' in the opening weeks of the 2008-9 season, and after holding on to their pole position in the Scottish Hydro Electric Division One with a hard-fought win over the league's bottom club they are bidding to notch another with a first Glasgow district derby win this season.

It is nearly seven years since Ayr hosted West of Scotland at Millbrae in a league fixture and then the clubs were in the second division. At the end of September that season, Ayr stuffed West 44-19 at Burnbrae and it marked the beginning of two different paths for the Glasgow district rivals – West heading down into Division Three while Ayr ignited the momentum that led, in 2004, to a rise into the top division.

Now West are back among the elite and coach John Beattie admits there is a palpable energy about the club as they prepare for the trip down to Alloway. Kenny Murray, the Ayr coach who works for Glasgow City Council, is as excited about the clash, not least as the club has just been voted 'Club of the Month' for September.

He said: "The 'firsts' have been great and have created a real buzz at the club – a first run of five wins in Division One, first time at the top of the league, even first competitive win over Stirling County at Bridgehaugh.

"But this is our first Glasgow district derby of the season and there is something extra about games with these sorts of close rivalries. But my job is to keep the players' feet on the ground because although we're delighted with the way things have gone so far, we are still only five games into a long season and are just four points in front."

Beattie, who has been working behind-the-scenes with clubs on a new Glasgow district league, added: "There is great merit in the game for local rivalries and if you doubted that you just have to come along and see this game and the crowd.

"Ayr have bolstered their club with imports and changed their coaching team, and are doing well, whereas we've just come up and are still mainly Glasgow boys. We were disappointed to lose at Melrose, and to Watsonians, but in general we're getting better every week."

With Edinburgh playing Glasgow in a reserve fixture on Monday at Whitecraigs, very few professionals and academy players will be available this weekend. West will be without Roddy Grant and Peter Horne, but have Richie Vernon, the Glasgow back-row, on their bench.

Ayr are starting to see some light at the end of the injury tunnel with flanker Andy Dunlop now firmly back in harness and Paul Burke on the bench today. Their key man remains Kiwi stand-off Frazier Climo, provided Ayr can cope with the physical West pack.

But the potential closeness of this fixture is symptomatic of the Division One contest as a whole this term where the Glasgow Hawks-Stirling County clash is expected to be as tough as the Watsonians-Boroughmuir game nearer the top of the table.

Watsonians coach Bruce Aitchison has forecast a game of fireworks at Myreside as his side smart from losing at Selkirk. He has switched wing Richard Minto to centre in place of Ben Di Rollo, brought Tupo Saena back, and shifted Otago B cap Andrew Tweed to lock in place of Jeff Nicholson.

Selkirk are strengthened this weekend by the return of Fraser Harkness and David Cassidy from injury, for their trip to Heriot's.

James King returns for Melrose at full-back for their home match with Currie while former Scotland U-18 cap Andrew Thomson starts at flanker. Stewart Walker is back for Edinburgh Accies at full-back and Ruaridh Bonner starts at fly-half, with Alex Blair at centre, as they head to Mansfield Park. The hosts are without Rory Hutton and Bruce McNeil, No 8 Ryan Hogg, and the injured full-back John Coutts.

• Former Stirling County and Scotland B winger Alan Armstrong died on Thursday night at the age of 55, the SRU reported yesterday. Armstrong passed away at Strathcarron Hospice after a long and brave fight against cancer.

This article was posted on 4-Oct-2008, 08:26 by Hugh Barrow.