GHA RFC MATCH 255: GHA RFC 0 – 1 AYR RFC
2012/2013: West Cup – Group A
GHA’s participation in this year’s Scottish Cup is over after the Championship Committee imposed a sanction on GHA for refusing to reverse their home game against Ayr to Ayr’s home ground of Millbrae, when Braidholm and the backup pitch at Auldhouse were frozen off due to the weather.
With progression to the semi finals of the West Regional Cup in the balance, GHA were keen to maintain home advantage in the belief that this would give them the best possible chance of getting something from the game and secure a potential spot in the semi final. Ayr subsequently lodged a complaint and the Championship Committee awarded the points to Ayr. GHA appealed this decision but the appeal was unsuccessful. As it happened, all postponed Cup games beyond the 19th January were to be decided by a cutting of cards.
With 6 group games in all having to be decided by card cutting and with GHA receiving a sanction, it means that 7 of the 36 group games were decided without any rugby being played. Surely the format of the Cup will need to be revised for future seasons.