Highland left deflated at Ayr as late try costs them victory
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HEAD coach Dave Carson says his team were left devastated after a final minute try robbed Highland of victory at Ayr as they went down 18-14 in National One.
Jamie Bova put Ayr ahead with a penalty, but Highland stamped their authority with Magnus Holden grabbing the first try of the match with Scott Fraser converting to make it 7-3 after 30 minutes.
Hugo Crush then scored Highland’s second try of the game which Fraser converted to make it 14-3 at half time.
Ayr came storming back in the second half, with Bova scoring and converting his try along with another penalty to reduce the deficit to one point.
Highland’s stubborn defence almost saw the game out, but in the closing stages of the match, Scott Watson grabbed Ayr’s second try to give the hosts victory.
Carson says it was a hard way to lose a match, saying they deserved more than a losing bonus point.
“I was absolutely gutted for the boys,” says Carson.
“There was 90 seconds left in the match and the game isn’t over until the final whistle.
“We were one point up and they managed to get a turnover in the middle of the park.
“They stick it out wide with an extra man and they execute the move well to score.
“I have never been so disappointed for the boys, they put their heart and soul into the match.
“I would prefer to lose by 20 points than lose a match like that.
“It was a fantastic effort from all 20 players who came on to the field and we were all left absolutely gutted.”
The defeat has left Highland in sixth place on 30 points with six wins from their 11 matches so far.
Highland have two matches left to play in 2022 before the Christmas break.
Highland play their final home game of the calendar year when they face Aberdeen Grammar at Canal Park on Saturday.
