ALREADY, this season has been a thrilling year of rugby for sides across Ayrshire.
Although 2024 is nearly over, with fixtures also having concluded until 2025, it is worth taking a look at what is yet to come for teams from across the county.
There is still plenty to play for in the country's top league, the National Premiership, with two Ayrshire clubs competing at either end of the table.
Ayr RFC currently sit atop the standings, having lost just once in their first 13 matches.
With nine fixtures left to play, the South Ayrshire outfit will be looking to top the regular season table before heading into the play-offs amongst the other top four teams.
Having showed impressive form already this season, Ayr will be confident of earning their first title since 2019.
However, the rest of the season may pose a completely different challenge to their local rivals Marr RFC - who won the league as recently as 2022.
The Troon side currently sit second from bottom in the table, five points clear of last placed Musselburgh.
Despite this, they are just two points behind ninth position, or fourth last, and the prize of guaranteed safety.
It is far from the successful seasons of recent years, with just three wins and a draw from 12 fixtures so far.
Despite this, Marr will be confident of turning their fortunes in the new year and securing their place in the top league for next year.
In the National Division Three, it has been nothing short of a rollercoaster season for newly promoted Garnock RFC.
Nine games so far have returned three wins, four losses, and - remarkably - two draws.
Despite this impressive return, the Lochshore side currently sit second from bottom albeit some 19 points clear of Cartha in last place.
Although the position does not read well, the club are closer to top spot than the drop with only 12 points between themselves and Hillhead Jordanhill, who have played one match more.
The league table is far too tight to call, and Division Three will certainly throw up plenty more surprises in 2025. Garnock will be hoping it will prove to be another positive year.
In National Division Four, Ardrossan Accies have enjoyed another positive year following on from their promotion last campaign.
However, 10 wins and one loss from 11 games still hasn't been enough to top the table as things stand.
The bragging rights currently belong to Strathmore, who have won each of their 10 games to date.
Their efforts so far have the two sides level, and a thrilling title fight looks set to take place in 2025.
Into the regional leagues and there looks set to be another title battle at the top of West Division One.
Kilmarnock RFC have shown impressive form so far this season, losing just once in 11 matches.
That one loss came at the hands of Lenzie, who themselves have only faced defeat on a single occasion.
It all means that just one point separates the two clubs, with the East Ayrshire outfit in top spot at present.
Both are well clear in the top two places, with a thrilling battle set to continue in the next calendar year.
Further down the standings, it has been an inconsistent season for Cumnock RFC.
The East Ayrshire club have won four and lost seven of their fixtures to date; form which has them firmly in mid-table.
The side are far removed from relegation fears, but way back of the title pace, so 2025 will be all about building up a head of steam before next season.
In West Division Two, Carrick RFC have shown some impressive form this season winning eight and losing three of their games to date.
Their form has the South Ayrshire club in third position, just two points from top spot.
However, if a title charge is to lie ahead, Carrick will need a few favours from elsewhere - as well as an impressive 2025.
Strathendrick currently look like the team to catch having won all of the nine matches they have played to date.
While Irvine RFC have taken to life in the division well following their promotion last season.
With four wins, six losses and a draw so far the North Ayrshire club are firmly in mid-table.
The Marress club will have their sights set on building from this form and climbing as far up the standings as they can before the season is over.
Share