BIRKMYRE crashed out of the cup at the semi-final stages to a strong and determined Irvine side.
The Kilmacolm club went down 27-0 away from home, the first time in a number of years that they have suffered a shutout.
Yet it was Birkmyre who had the first opportunity to put points on the board. Having won a central penalty 35m out, they kicked for goal but it drifted narrowly wide.
It took until the 15th minute for the first score. Irvine won a lineout 10m out and from the resulting maul, one of their props rumbled over near the corner flag.
They then extended their lead to eight points with a successful penalty on the 26th minute. Despite this, Birkmyre were very much still in the match and turned down a three point opportunity in the dying minutes of the half with a view to scoring a try.
Unfortunately, errors and a strong defence prevented it from coming.
Irvine stretched their lead 10 minutes into the second half with a similar score to their first from a lineout.
This time their skipper and number 8 kept the ball at the rear of the maul which drove over for the try. Again, the conversion was missed.
Birkmyre knew two converted tries would be enough and started to put pressure on the home side.
This pressure told, with two Irvine players receiving yellow cards in quick succession for ill-discipline, resulting in them being reduced to 13 players for 10 minutes.
Birkmyre continued to press however they could not make the numerical advantage count. No sooner were Irvine back to full strength, they received a third yellow card.
Despite this they then scored the pivotal try. Birkmyre were attacking just inside the opposition half when James Toal saw his pass intercepted by his opposite number who ran 50m to score next to the posts.
The final score came in the dying minutes of the game. The home side created a near side overlap from a ruck and were able to run in for the final converted points.
Irvine now face a long trip to Lochaber for the final and Birkmyre will turn their attention to league duty as they not only seek promotion, but remain in contention to win the division.
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