Ayr Cricket Club lose in the last over away to Carlton

May 20 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Cricket Club’s slow start to the season continued when they lost in the last over away to Carlton.

Batting first, Ayr posted a respectable 251-6 with Kiwi pro Michael Papps top scoring with 104, well supported by Andi McElnea (33) and Neil Smith (43).

In reply, Carlton were always up with the run rate thanks to Scotland internationalists Fraser Watts (49) and Preston Mommsen (83) until the fall of three quick wickets left the hosts needing 11 off the last two overs which they achieved with five balls to spare.

In midweek, Ayr beat Weirs in the Rowan Cup after restricting the visitors to 83 thanks to fine opening spell from youngsters Callum Gordon and Luke Speirs, followed by three wickets for Douglas Johnstone.

Ayr’s reply got off to a shaky start with the early loss of David Johnstone, but Neil Smith (36 not out) along with Elliot Speirs and Callum McLaughlin saw them home with three overs to spare.

The Cambusdoon XI kept up their good run of form with a comfortable win against Torrance House at Cambusdoon.

Callum McLaughlin, with 5-33, was star performer with the ball as they reduced the visitors to 179-9. Captain Ross Mitchell, with 79 not out, led from the front as the Ayr men reached their target with 16 overs remaining. He was well supported by Niall McCrossin (34) and Elliot Speirs (29 nout out).

Two junior matches beat the weather. The under 13s beat Glasgow Accies, scoring 102-3 with Ivan Craig and Lloyd Jefferson retiring on 30. They then reduced Accies to 69-8.

The under 11s got their season of to a winning start with a comfortable victory against East Kilbride.

This weekend sees Local Life Ayr at home to Forfarshire while the Cambusdoon XI head to to Glenpark.

MGM Prestwick, boosted by the addition of Kiwi bowler Andrew Scott, made it three straight wins when they beat Glasgow Accies by 35 runs at home.

Scott had arrived as Ayr’s overseas amateur but is too old under league rules. So Prestwick stepped in to register him as an unpaid pro.

Skipper Gavin Pitt said: “Andrew bowled well and took two wickets. We struggled early on a damp wicket but got there in the end.

“It’s a good start to the season and if we win our next two games against Hillhead and Irvine we will be sitting pretty.”

Fraser Macdonald top scored with 53 in Prestwick’s 147 all out. In reply, Accies were dismissed for 112 with Fraser Rodger taking 4-30.

Kevin Lawler hit 82 as the St Ninians X1 ran up 159 all out away to Anniesland. The home team were dismissed for 144 with top bowling from A. Koshti (3-24), J. Mahaffy (3-26) and D. Thomson (3-25).

The Sunday X1 lost away to Glasgow Accies who scored 216-4. In reply, Prestwick were dismissed for 114.

Fixtures: Friday: U15s v Hillhead (a), sponsored by Reid Quantum; Saturday: 1st X1 v Hillhead (h), sponsored by Frankie and Benny’s; Monday: U18s v East Kilbride (a), Frank Smith Trophy.

Ayrshire under 13s lost to Clyde Sharks in their opening game, sponsored by Doon Valley Cricket Club, at Cambusdoon on Sunday.

Clyde made 102 all out (Adam Gordon 3-21, Jake Johnstone 2-12, Shuuja Khan 2-14). In reply, Ayrshire were dismissed for 79.