Prestwick Cricket Club beat Irvine in derby cracker

Jun 25 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

DERBY dazzlers MGM Prestwick dug deep to claim Ayrshire bragging rights and go back to the top of Western Union.

The Oval lads, roared on by a vociferous home support, beat Irvine by five wickets in a nail biting finish at the Henry Thow Oval.

It was the first league meeting between the two teams since 1983 and tensions were always riding high.

Irvine won the toss and batted first but suffered an early blow when their former Prestwick star Drew Parsons was clean bowled by Mark Morrison for 11 to leave them toiling at 17-2.

Morrison went on to claim 3-54 as the Marress men reached 225-9 off their 50 overs. Top scores came from Kevin Giddings (74) and Sammy Joe Avontuur (48).

In reply, Prestwick lost the in-form Jim Johnstone to Parsons early on. But a brilliant 93 from Fraser Macdonald, in his comeback season from arch rivals Ayr, laid the cornerstone as Gavin Pitt's men piled on the runs.

Morrison (36 not out) and Shazad Rafiq (44 not out) were at the crease as Prestwick claimed a priceless win at 230-5.

The St Ninians X1 lost heavily away to Shawholm.

The U13s beat Drumpellier at home. Prestwick made 135-3 (retirals for Mitchell Rao, Mohammad Azeem, James Pettigrew). Drumps responded well but the task was put beyond doubt when James Miller and Nathan Baird were introduced to the attack, both producing four overs of line and length. Drumps replied at 105-7.

Prestwick were playing Ayr on Tuesday night to see who goes to the national semis at Perth on Sunday.

On Monday, the under 15s lost by five wickets away to Clydesdale. Prestwick were bowled out for 76 with Clydesdale replying at 77-5 with Jon Rogerson taking two wickets.

Fixtures: Friday: U11s v East Kilbride (a) sponsored by Reid Quantum; Saturday: 1st X1 v Glasgow Accies (a) sponsored by Frankie &Bennys; St Ninians X1 v Marress (h) sponsored by Matthew B. Kennedy; Sunday: Sunday X1 v Kilmarnock (h) sponsored by Adam & Co; Monday: U18s v West of Scotland (a), U13s v Greenock (h) both sponsored by Reid Quantum.

A MUCH better weekend for Local Life Ayr with a convincing win over Poloc on Sunday at Cambusdoon.

Ayr raced to 311-3 with Kiwi pro Michael Papps again in superb form, top scoring with 145. He got excellent support from Alan Davidson (57) and Douglas Johnstone 35 not out.

In reply, Poloc finished 95 runs short on 216. Alan Davidson top bowler with 3-29.

The Cambusdoon XI also returned to winning ways, beating Glasgow University Staff in league duty on Saturday. They were bowled out for 238, with 50s for Scott McElnea and Richie Borland and 30 from Niall McCrossin.

They then bowled out the Uni for 229 with three wickets for Andi McElnea, Luke Speirs and Callum Gordon.

Last Tuesday night, they got their week off to a great start with victory away to Uddingston in the Western Cup. A sparkling 50 from Scott McElenea on his return from injury saw them post 145 in their 20 overs. In a tense finish, they held on to win by six runs with three wickets for Andrew Baird and Niall McCrossin.

The U13s had a 52 run victory over Hillhead, scoring 117-6 to the visitors’ 65-7. Monday saw the U18s record a nine wicket win at East Kilbride.

This weekend sees the final games in the first half of the season with Local Life Ayr away to Stirling while the Cambusdoon XI host Langloan.