Cricket: Papps can’t stop Ayr slide

May 22 2009 by Mike Wilson

KIWI pro Michael Papps finally arrived in Ayr but couldn’t halt their poor start to the season as they crashed by six wickets at home to Aberdeen.

Papps had been delayed by red tape but he flew in late on Friday and made a quick impression with 36 off 58 balls. But only Dougie Johnstone (21), Neil Smith (20) and Scott McElnea (12) offered support as Ayr were skittled for 118 in 41.3 overs with five players going for ducks.

In reply, Ayr made a promising start and reduced Aberdeen to 24-3 before Gul (37) and Brand (37 not out) eased the visitors home at 117-4 in 18.3 overs. Best bowling came from McElnea (2-33).

Ayr had a comfortable victory against Glasgow Accies in the Rowan Cup last Tuesday. Ayr batted first and racked up 128-2 in their 16 overs with David Johnstone and Andi McElnea top scoring with 48 and 46. In reply, Accies were held to 68-7 with Callum Leck taking 3-16.

On Sunday, Ayr beat Prestwick at Cambusdoon in the West League Cup. Put into bat, the visitors made 164-6, Calum Rodger top scoring with 74 not out. Andrew Baird was top bowler taking 3-20.

Papps, who top scored with 77 not out and Mark Renny with 40, put on 106 for the second wicket as Ayr reached their target with only two wickets down and an over to spare.

The Cambusdoon XI had a good win against Bothwell with Richard Skinner taking five wickets as the home team were bowled out for 118. Alan McCrossin (43) and Ross Mitchell (32) saw the Cambusdoon men to victory.

The juniors’ competitive season got underway with the under 11s, sponsored by Dalblair Vets, having a good victory at Greenock. Ivan Craig top scored with 21 and took two wickets. There were also three wickets for Nathan Baird and four for Jake Johnstone.

The under 15s lost to Greenock in the Scottish Cup by three runs. There were three wickets for Callum Gordon and 33 runs for Callum Ablett. The under 13s lost to Poloc.

This week sees Ayr try again in last year’s West League Cup against West on Tuesday and are at home to the same opposition on league duty on Saturday in a match sponsored by Anne Webster. The Cambusdoon XI are away to Glasgow University Staff on Saturday.

MGM Prestwick slumped to a 95 run defeat away to Edinburgh, the capital side racing to 231-9, despite 4-64 by Aussie amateur Hayden Pryce.

In reply, the Oval side were dismissed for 136 after 37.4 overs. Top scores came from Calum Rodger 51 and Derek Pitt 33.

The 2nd X1 beat Shawholm by nine runs at Poloc. Prestwick ran up 146 (Neil Franks 60, Alex Bonner 36) while Bonner took four for 18 and Jake Stafford 2-25 to remove the home side for 137.

The under 11s lost at home to Clydesdale while the under 15s beat the same team by two runs. Prestwick made 94-4 (Samantha Haggo 33 not out, Ross Patterson 31). In reply, Clydesdale were 92-5 (Patterson 2-15).

The under 13s beat Glasgow Accies at New Anniesland on Monday by 27 runs.

Prestwick made 84 (Mitchell Rao 29) and then dismissed Accies for 57 with two wickets each for Gregor Cairns and for Saul McNally-Jones.

Fixtures: Friday: U15s v West of Scotland (h); U11s v West of Scotland (a); Saturday: 1st X1 v Weirs (home), sponsored by George Turnbull; Sunday: 1st X1 v Ferguslie (h), West League Cup, sponsored by golf section; 2nd X1 v Active Life (a); Monday: U18s v West of Scotland (h), sponsored by Reid Quantum.