THE SCOTSMAN WRITES
Ayr likely to be without Kelly as they continue quest for double



Published Date: 18 April 2009
By DAVID FERGUSON
AYR could be without their talismanic skipper Damien Kelly when they return to the scene of a rare league defeat this afternoon on the scent of a double.
Only three clubs have claimed the Scottish Division One and cup in the same season – Glasgow Hawks in 2004, Hawick in 2002 and Melrose in 1997 – and Kenny Murray, the Ayr coach, bridled at the suggestion that with a first Division One Championship firmly tucked away at Millbrae, this afternoon's Scottish Hydro Electric Cup quarter-final at Melrose might not be as important to his players.

He said: "Damien has been struggling with an injury so it looks unlikely that he will play. He will be a big miss, but we've played and won without him in the league and I can assure you that this means a lot to our guys.

"We had a hard, physical session on Monday night after the Melrose Sevens and trained well on Tuesday and Thursday, and it's been noticeable that the guys have had a really meaningful game to prepare for this week. Because the season has been so fragmented it has been hard to keep the intensity and motivation up, especially after winning the league, but the cup has brought the focus back.

"The boys set themselves a lot of goals last summer and while the league was an obvious one they were as strong about wanting the double, and so right from the first game the priority has always been to win the league and cup in the same season."

Scott Forrest returns at inside centre, the former openside flanker having suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle against Glasgow Hawks in November. He has warmed up on the sevens circuit with Scotland, but this is his first XVs match since then. That was the same month that Ayr lost 26-21 at the Greenyards in the league, one of only three championship defeats in the season, and Murray insisted that that provided motivation this weekend. "A few players didn't play well in that game and though Melrose deserved their win it was on a Sunday at 12 and we had to be up and away at 7am, so preparation wasn't ideal. It's different this week, but there is not much between the teams so I expect a cracking cup-tie."

Melrose coach Craig Chalmers is hoping for a bounce effect from the Melrose Sevens where his team reached the final before losing to the South African professionals from the University of Johannesburg. "We got a big boost last weekend with the way we played," he said, "but we never won the cup and so this is our last hope of silverware."

In Edinburgh, Boroughmuir host Heriot's at Meggetland without Greg Cottrell and Elgan O'Donnell to injury and Matt Cannon, the England sevens cap, who is in Ireland for a family wedding. They do have the Fijian centre Apenai Kororua back from tour of duty with the army, and he is one to watch having scored six tries in just seven games this season.

Heriot's triumphed at Meggetland early in the season 33-24, but Muir won at Goldenacre in January 43-20. Eamon John, the Boroughmuir coach, is keeping his players on their toes by announcing the team today, but he expects a similarly fizzing match. "Heriot's are a good side and have played some good rugby, but they know we are a good side too," he said. "It will come down to who gets it right on the day."

Having reached the cup final last season only to suffer stage fright against Melrose, Heriot's are keen they earn themselves a chance to put that right. Fitness coach John Houston tasted cup victory with Hawick and, with Chris Fusaro and Stewart Dewar back from under-20s action, the Edinburgh professional senses a strong desire to secure a home a semi-final next weekend against Edinburgh Accies. He said: "They know themselves how it feels to get to the final, and there is no doubt they want to get back there and lift the trophy, and they've given themselves the chance by getting this far."

In the remaining quarter-final, Haddington host Dundee HSFP in a repeat of last week's Division Two clash at Mayfield, won by Dundee 34-17.

Haddington coach Eddie Pollock expects a different game this time. "We took the chance to rest eight players last week because guys had knocks from the cup win over West of Scotland and we'd planned to look at some of our talented under-18s," he said. "We're disappointed with our league finish, we lost our last five games having thought we might get promoted, so it was good to play well against West. If we play as well this weekend we're capable of beating Dundee."

This article was posted on 18-Apr-2009, 10:07 by Hugh Barrow.