Rampant Prestwick Cricket Club maintain title charge

Jul 23 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

TABLE-topping MGM Prestwick continued their march towards Western Union glory with another thumping win.

In a match reduced to 45 overs at the Henry Thow Oval, Prestwick lost the toss and were put into bat by Partick on a green wicket doing plenty for the bowlers.

And they were made to rally after the early loss of star batsmen Jim Johnstone and Fraser MacDonald, before posting a match winning total of 219.

Aussie Alex Bonner (48) and skipper Gavin Pitt (38) sent the ball to all areas of the ground as Partick’s limited bowling attack struggled to contain their rampant hosts.

And the visitors never looked like chasing down their target, before stumbling to 118 all out.

The towering Calum Rodger was pick of the bowlers with 3-30.

Prestwick now head for Helensburgh this Saturday looking to maintain their lead at the top of the league.

The second XI fell to a disappointing defeat against Victoria, despite the best efforts of in-form Kevin Lawler.

Victoria posted a beatable total of 193, with Findlay McDougall taking 3-40.

But Prestwick fell short in their reply and only Lawler showed resistance with another masterclass of a half century as they were skittled for 145.

The Sunday XI travelled to face local rivals Ayr at Cambusdoon and posted a competitive 237-5 when put into bat.

Jim Johnstone top scored with 65 but Ayr got home with just six balls to spare and five wickets down.

Scott McElnea top scored with 73 and Daniel Fleming crashed a flurry of boundaries, ending on 59 not out.

The under 15s also fell to defeat at Cambusdoon against Ayr after making 82-6.

Ayr knocked off the runs without losing a wicket – Luke Speirs (47 not out) and Ross McKelvie (37 not out) seeing them home.

Local Life Ayr endured another Saturday wash out as their game against lowly Falkland fell victim to heavy overnight rain and persistent showers.

Last week they suffered disappointment as they lost to West of Scotland in a low scoring semi final of the Rowan Cup.

West batted first and were restricted to 107, a total Ayr almost reached thanks to a ninth wicket stand between Richie Borland and Scott McElnea.

Unfortunately Borland was caught off the last ball of the penultimate over with seven runs still required to win and then Adam Gilbert was run out by Scotland international Gordon Goudie as they chased the winning runs.

The Cambusdoon XI lost away to Anniesland on Saturday.

The home team batted first and were bowled out for 187. Eliot Speirs, Matt McClymont and Niall McCrossin each took two wickets.

In reply, Ayr were bowled out for 117 with Ross Mitchell top scoring with 59.