SURVIVAL is that most basic of instincts and it was in search of self-preservation that Hawick took on a vastly superior Ayr side.
Despite the aggressive approach of the visitors, they were unable to stifle the class of the Millbrae men who, had things gone their way, could have been out of sight after half an hour.
As it was, they led 10-0 after the first quarter, Frazier
Climo landing his second penalty attempt and Damien Kelly finishing off a scything Richard McCallum break for the opening try.
Kelly returned the compliment seven minutes before the break with a rollicking run into midfield before handing on to McCallum who finished in style.
Climo converted to take Ayr in at the break 17-0 ahead but a rash of yellow cards, a full scale brawl and some unsavoury moments took a lot of momentum out of the game. Ayr found it difficult to stay in top gear, but kept Hawick well clear of the danger zone and a sustained spell of pressure saw Climo nip over for try number three, but it looked as though the bonus point would elude the league leaders.
That try coincided with a red card for Hawick wing Colin Murray for abusing one of the match officials, something which summed up both the attitude and misery of the Hawick camp.
There were only a couple of minutes to go when Climo took sweet revenge for some towsy handling to glide imperiously over for his second try and Ayr snaffled what in the final reckoning could be a crucial bonus point.
Scorers: Ayr: Tries Climo 2, Kelly, McCallum. Cons: Climo 3. Pen: Climo.
Ayr: A Wilson; F Marin, J Montoro, R McCallum, R Holland; F Climo, A McFarlane; G Reid, MacArthur, G Sykes, D Kelly, S Nimmo, J Wilson, A Dunlop, G Tippett. Subs: S Fenwick, S Sutherland, P Burke, S Magorian, D Steele.
Hawick: J Coutts; C Murray, K Hedley, R Scott, G Anderson; A Weir, B Campbell; B McNeill, M Landels, S Linton, M Robertson, K Miller, N McTaggert, R Hogg, D Landels. Subs: D Lowrie, G Johnston, G Petrie, R Borthwick, N Little.
Referee: D Walker.
