Exciting rugby union season continues across Ayrshire

From thrilling wins to heart-breaking losses, Saturday and Sunday [February 15 and 16] had a little bit of everything.

In the National Premiership, Ayr RFC's incredible campaign is still going strong after a resounding 52-15 win away at Melrose.

The result keeps the South Ayrshire outfit atop the standings with just five regular season matches left before the play-offs begin.

Elsewhere, Marr RFC continue to struggle at the wrong end of the table. They remain in second last position - six points off the bottom - after a 38-12 loss at home to Watsonian.

Moving into National Division Three and Garnock RFC picked up the narrowest of victories away at one of the league's toughest venues.

The North Ayrshire outfit travelled by plane to face Orkney on Saturday, with the trip more than worth it after they picked up a 39-38 win - leapfrogging their opponents in the process.

In National Division Four, Ardrossan Accies sought to keep their title hopes alive at the weekend as they travelled to play unbeaten leaders Strathmore.

However, the Memorial Field outfit now look destined to miss out after falling to a 31-17 defeat in Forfar.

In the regional leagues, Kilmarnock RFC remain the team to catch in West Division One.

A 43-10 win away at Oban Lorne on Saturday keeps the East Ayrshire club one point clear of second-placed Lenzie.

Meanwhile, Cumnock fell to a narrow defeat on their travels, with Bishopton running out 24-21 winners on Saturday.

In West Division Two, it was a resounding win for Irvine RFC on Saturday as they hosted bottom side Clydebank.

A 70-0 victory at Marress was enough to lift the North Ayrshire outfit into the top half of a tightly packed league table.

One men's side from Ayrshire also had cup action to contend with over the weekend with Carrick RFC travelling to play Haddington in the National Shield quarter-final.

In the narrowest of contests, it was not to be for the South Ayrshire side who missed out on a semi-final place following a 15-14 defeat.

Into women's rugby and it was a weekend full of cup clashes for the area's sides on Sunday.

After weeks of call-offs, Ayr got their National Shield campaign under way with an impressive 19-12 win away at Hillhead Jordanhill 2nd XV.

In the National Plate, Irvine RFC kept their unbeaten start to the pool stage going with a 34-26 win away at Hamilton.

They will host Orkney Dragons this weekend and a win will secure top spot in their group.

And in the National Bowl, Carrick RFC got their pool stage going on Sunday as they travelled to face Caledonian Thebans.

A match ended in a rare draw with the final scoreline ending 15-15 meaning it is still all to play for in the coming weeks.