RUGBY action returned to Ayrshire this weekend after weather wiped out action across the county the previous week.

And the comeback was a thrilling one as the various leagues across the nation reach the halfway stage.

In the very top division, the National Premiership, Ayr RFC saw their unbeaten start to the campaign come to an end on Saturday, November 30.

Currie Chieftains were the club to take the scalp as they won a thrilling encounter 27-24.

After the loss, Ayr's lead at the top of the table was cut to just two points with Heriot's now hot on their tails.

Elsewhere in the division, Marr RFC were also on the end of a narrow defeat as they travelled south to face Selkirk.

The home side won the match 13-11 with the Troon outfit picking up a losing bonus point.

After the loss, the Troon based side are three points clear of last place in the division - with the campaign now at its halfway stage.

The theme of narrow defeats for Ayrshire side's continued into the National Division Three where Garnock Rugby hosted Aberdeen Grammar.

In a thrilling and high-scoring encounter at Lochshore, the visitors claimed a 50-47 victory.

The loss saw Garnock slip back to third last position though they are still just nine points back of top spot with the league also exactly halfway done.

It was a more positive display in National Division Four for Ardrossan Accies who picked up Ayrshire's first win of the weekend.

In challenging conditions at the Memorial Field, Andrew Duncan's side saw off Linlithgow 24-10.

However, a big win for title rivals Strathmore means that Ardrossan have lost top spot for the first time since the beginning of the season - with the Forfar side also having a game in hand.

Despite facing defeat just once, the Accies face a tough test to battle back and earn their second straight promotion.

There were no fixtures in the regional leagues this weekend - owing to national shield fixtures taking place.

Just one Ayrshire side remain in the hunt, and are still in the draw following round three.

Strathendrick may be getting the better of Carrick RFC in the league at present, but the Maybole side were not to be bettered in the shield.

A 26-15 victory was enough to earn progression into the next round and move one step closer to a date at Murrayfield.

Into women's rugby, and it was a fantastic weekend for Ayr RFC in West Division One.

After a tough start to the season the South Ayrshire side have been in fine form of late.

That continued on Sunday, December 1, with a superb 31-22 win away at West of Scotland to move up to fourth in the standings - and avoiding the possibility of a last place finish.

The winning theme continued into West Division Two where Irvine RFC earned a 24-17 victory over Hamilton.

Unfortunately, the result failed to move Irvine off bottom place in what was the final match of their season.

And Marr made it a perfect weekend in Ayrshire as they travelled to face Dumfries Saints on Sunday.

The Troon side picked up a 17-10 victory to wrap up their West Division Three season - finishing top with the title in hand!