Prestwick Cricket Club close in on Western Union title

Jul 30 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

MGM Prestwick are only four games away from clinching the Western Union and reclaiming their place in the national leagues.

The Oval lads kept up their hot form with a 68 run win away to Helensburgh in a rain interrupted match on a soft wicket.

Openers Fraser Macdonald and Jim Johnstone never really got started as Gavin Pitt's men toiled to 56-2 after 12 overs.

Wickets continued to tumble cheaply including a controversial lbw against Ian McGregor to leave them 119-8.

After rain sent the teams indoors, Prestwick stumbled to 152 all out, leaving Helensburgh 39 overs to chase down their target. The hosts never looked likely as they folded for only 84.

Prestwick now host Galloway on Saturday before closing with a run of away games against Meikleriggs, Hillhead and Irvine.

The St Ninians X1 drew at home to Ardrossan who made 227-5 with Finlay Macdougall taking 3-54.

Kevin Lawler hit 86 in Prestwick’s 202-7 to leave both teams with ten points.

The Sunday X1, superbly marshalled by Iain McGregor, beat Greenock away. Chasing 186-9 from 35 overs, Prestwick romped home at 190-5 with three overs to spare. Mark Openshaw hit 82 not out and Fraser Macdonald 70 retired.

A strong performance with bat and ball saw the under 13s secure a comfortable win over Hillhead. Some excellent bowling, particularly from Gregor Cairns, held Hillhead to 58. The opening pair of Mitchell Rao (33) and James Pettigrew required only 10 overs to reach the target.

sFixtures: Wednesday: U18s v Ferguslie (h) Scottish Cup; Saturday: 1st X1 v Galloway (h) sponsored by Ian McKinnell; St Ninians X1 v Kirkstyle (a) sponsored by Frankie & Benny’s; Sunday: Sunday X1 v Ayr (h) sponsored by Adam & Co; Monday: U18s v Glasgow Accies (a), U13s v Glasgow Accies (h), sponsored by Reid Quantum.

Rain was again the winner for the third week running as Ayr’s game away at Drumpellier fell victim to persistent rain and was called off 12 overs into the second innings. Ayr were 32-0 chasing the home team’s 225-6.

The Cambusdoon XI eased their relegation worries with victory over Nunholm, who batted first and scored 178-8. Elliot Speirs was top bowler with 3-40. The game also saw a welcome return from the experienced Donald Henderson who provided an economical spell in the middle of the innings.

The Cambusdoon reply got off to steady start but it was the fifth wicket partnership of 83 between Speirs (59) with his first senior 50 and Adam Gilbert (43 not out) which provided the impetus to see them home with three overs to spare.

Sunday saw the Development XI continue their good run of form with victory over Clydesdale at Cambusdoon. Batting first, they posted a respectable 217-7 with Richie Borland (48) and Matt McClymont (54) the top scorers.

They then bowled Clydesdale out for 124 with two wickets for Richie Borland, Ross McKelvie and Luke Speirs

The U11s suffered a home defeat to Hillhead by 34 runs while the U15s also saw defeat away to Poloc despite the efforts of Luke Speirs with a 50 and five wickets as they lost by four wickets. The only winners of the week were the U15B team who beat Uddingston by 35 runs.

On Saturday, Local Life Ayr are away to Stenhousemuir while the Cambusdoon XI entertain Bothwell. On Thursday, the Cambusdoon X1 face West of Scotland in the Western Cup semi final.