Cricket: Eight is not great for poor Ayr

Jun 26 2009 by Mike Wilson

SORRY Ayr slumped to their eighth league defeat on the spin as another poor batting display cost them dearly at home to Grange.

Only Michael Papps (36) and Bruce Patterson (44) put up any resistance as they were bowled out for 120. Papps then took three quick wickets to leave the visitors on 27-3, but 58 not out from Scotland star Neil McCallum saw Grange to a comfortable win.

Sunday saw Ayr return to winning ways in the first round of the Scottish Cup against Kelburne. Put into bat, the visitors scored 197-9 with Patterson taking 3-29. After losing three early wickets, a partnership of 87 between Douglas Johnstone (40) and Fraser MacDonald (68 not out) saw Ayr home with 11 overs to spare.

Ayr’s prize is a last 16 tie away to West on Sunday, July 12.

The Cambusdoon XI lost away to Kelburne on Sunday. The home team scored 168-9 with spinners Ross Mitchell (4-38) and Luke Speirs (3-23) top bowlers. In reply, they were bowled out for 140 with Scott McElnea top scoring with 40.

The under 11s, sponsored by Dalblair Veterinary Surgery, had good wins against Ferguslie and Drumpellier. Nathan Baird was top man against Drumpellier taking three wickets in four balls.

Saturday also saw the return of many former players, including ex-pros Grant Stanley and Irwin Iffla, for the reunion weekend as part of the club’s 150th anniversary and a reminisce of days spent out in the middle over the years.

On Saturday, Ayr head to Watsonians in the league while on Sunday, they entertain Greenock in the West League Cup. The Cambusdoon Xl are at home to Whitehaugh on Saturday. This week also sees the Scottish Lions take on the MCC at Cambusdoon in a three day game on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

MGM Prestwick found the going tough as they slumped by eight wickets away to Dumfries in the first of a weekend double header.

The Oval lads, missing several players, were skittled for only 107 in 37.1 overs in Saturday's league clash with Andy Gibson top scoring with 26. The home side took only 18.2 overs to reach 108-2 and leave Prestwick pointless.

However, on Sunday, Prestwick took revenge when they beat the same team in the Scottish Cup. Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, Prestwick recovered from 80-5 after 26 overs to reach 224. Brothers Derek and Gavin Pitt shared 58 for the last wicket with Gavin hitting a run a ball 26. Derek finished on 92 all out.

In reply, Dumfries were tumbled for 170 (Fraser Rodger 3-25, Gavin Pitt 3-27, Mark Morrison 3-48). Prestwick now entertain Dunfermline Knights in the last 16 on Sunday, July 12.

The under 11s lost away to Greenock while the under 15s beat the same team by eight wickets at home. Greenock U15s were 93-8 (Mitchell Rao 2-12) while Prestwick romped home at 94-3 (Ross Patterson 36, Chris Scott 30 not out).

On Monday night, the under 13s beat Ayr at home by eight wickets. Ayr made 57-4 with Prestwick replying at 58-2 (Rao 20).

The under 18s beat Greenock at Glenpark by six runs. Batting first, Prestwick reached 108-9 and then restricted the home team to 102-8 (Alan McDonald 4-23).

Scotland girls under 17s, including Prestwick’s Samantha Haggo, beat Durham by 23 runs at Durham. Samantha hit 29 and took one wicket.

Fixtures: Friday: U15s v Glasgow Accies (a); U11s v Glasgow Accies (h); Saturday: 1st X1 v SMRH (a); 2nd X1 v Torrance House (h), sponsored by Alex Bonner; Sunday: 3rd X1 v Victoria (a); Monday: U18s v Ferguslie (h); U13s v Greenock (a), juniors sponsored by Reid Quantum.