Oval men turn it on at the double

Jul 4 2008 by Mike Wilson

SKIPPER Fraser Macdonald hailed Prestwick after a weekend double win sent them climbing in the league and staked a quarter-final place in the Scottish Cup.

The Oval men dumped SMRH by 47 runs on Saturday and then crushed West of Scotland in the cup 24 hours later.

Macdonald said: “It was an excellent weekend’s double but it’s frustrating that we can’t do it more often.”

Macdonald (42) and pro Dhanuka Pathirana (62) put on 120 for the second wicket as the youngest ever Prestwick side, fielding five under 18s, reached 166-9 on a poor wicket at Inverleith. Wicket-keeper Archie McDonald chipped in with 17.

In reply, teenager Willie Rowan took 4-20 as the hosts folded to 119 all out.

Macdonald had bravely dropped vice-skipper Alex Bonner and David Carlyle but he brought them back for Sunday’s cup win over West. Pathirana (72) and Bonner (67 not out) helped Prestwick to 189-4. The Sri Lankan pro then took 4-13 as West were dismissed for 128.

The win gives Prestwick a home quarter-final on Sunday against Premier strugglers Ferguslie and Macdonald fancies their chances.

The under 18s, who are defending the Frank Smith Trophy, beat Kelburne to set a up a semi-final trip to Ayr on Wednesday July 16.

Archie McDonald top scored with 38 as Prestwick reached 103-7. Kelburne were then routed for 46 with Craig Morrison taking 4-6 including a hat-trick. Fraser Rodger took 4-12.

On Monday evening, the under 18s beat Glasgow Accies by five wickets at New Anniesland. Accies were routed for 78 (Darren Thomson 4-12). Prestwick replied at 81-5 (Archie McDonald 36). The under 13s lost to Accies at home. Prestwick made 65-6 but Accies replied at 66-5.

Glenburn won the primary schools tournament, beating Kingcase by one run in the final.

Fixtures: Friday: U11 v Kilmarnock (h); Saturday: 1st X1 v Dumfries (a); 2nd X1 v Moorcroft (h); Sunday: 1st X1 v Ferguslie (h); Sunday X1 v Poloc (a); Monday: U18 v Ferguslie (h); U13 v Ferguslie (a); Wednesday: U15s v Ayr (a).

Weakened Ayr slid to a 96 run defeat away to Carlton.

Missing Mark Renny and Douglas Johnstone through injury and David Johnstone with work commitments unable to make Edinburgh for the start, Ayr got off to a great start when Andrew Baird bowled Scotland star Fraser Watts with only one scored.

Aussie pro Peter Wooden was then dismissed for 13 before captain Cedric English and former Scotland player Brynn Lockie took the score to 207. English then dismissed Rafiq after completing his centrury. A flurry of quick wickets in the run chase saw the home team finish on 255-6.

The Ayr reply started well, reaching 31 before Andi McElnea was bowled. A steady fall of wickets including a controversial lbw decision for Matt Horne, who top scored with 69, saw Ayr bowled out for 159.

The Cambusdoon XI travelled to Titwood but were unable to complete their match with rain stopping play when they were on 188-7 after 48 overs with David Johnstone top scoring with 60.

The juniors had a quiet week with the weather affecting a number of games. Only the U13s managed to beat the rain defeating Uddingston with Callum Gordon 30 retired and Seb Stewart 29 amongst the runs.

Ayr were due to play Uddingston in the final of the Scottish region of the ECB on Tuesday and on Saturday entertain Grange on league duty in a match sponsored by Jim Borland. The Cambusdoon XI are away to Nunholm on Sunday and on Wednesday make a third attempt to play East Kilbride in the Western Cup.