Prestwick Cricket Club break records at the double

Jul 8 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

PRESTWICK Cricket Club went run crazy in a record breaking weekend.

And former skipper Fraser Macdonald, who hit a career and club best 176, forecast: “We’re on course for promotion.”

Prestwick racked up 293-8 on Saturday to crush GHK by 120 runs at the Henry Thow Oval.

And then on Sunday, they ran up an astonishing 387-6 to thrash Kilmarnock by 352 runs to march into the quarter-finals of the SCU Trophy.

Macdonald, 26, bettered his previous top score by 11 runs en route to his best ever tally and a new club record.

He said: “It was a great weekend and our fifth league win out of five. We don’t have the money for a professional but we’re heading in the right direction for the SNCL Championship.”

Shazad Rafiq chipped in with 38 and then took 3-57 as GHK were dismissed for 173. Derek Pettigrew had figures of 3-23.

The runs flowed again on Sunday as Prestwick raced to a new best total against Killie in the SCU Trophy.

Calum Rodger led the way with a storming 146 and was well supported by Rafiq (86), Macdonald (51) and Kevin Lawler (45).

Skipper Gavin Pitt took 7-7 as the hosts were routed for a meagre 35.

Pitt admitted: “There was some amazing scoring and I have never known a weekend like it.

“Two club records is stunning and Fraser was chuffed with his knock, especially after scoring 165 last season.

“Sunday’s game was a bit of a farce. Killie turned up with 12 players but ended up with only 10 because one wouldn’t play without the other.

“It was a nice day so we had to make the most of it.

“Three of the seven runs against me were wides and six of my wickets were clean bowled.

“I was also pleased for Calum who has had a dry spell for two years after scoring a lot of runs previously.

“We now travel to Boroughmuir in the last eight but who knows – we could go all the way.

“We’re level with St Michaels at the top of the league and we play them at home in the last game so it’s set up nicely.”

Former president Allan Haggo said it was a red letter weekend.

He added: “In addition to Fraser’s knock, it’s a club record score by a mile and also a club record victory by a long way. It will take some beating.”

Fixtures: Friday: U18s v Uddingston (a), Frank Smith Trophy, quarter-final; Saturday: 1st X1 v Galloway (h), sponsored by Robert Pitt; St Ninians X1 v Vale of Leven (a), sponsored by Frankie & Benny's; Sunday: 1st X1 v Boroughmuir (a); Sunday X1 v Glasgow Accies (h), sponsored by Linea Construction; Monday: U18s v Drumpellier (a). All junior games sponsored by Reid Quantum.

Ayr suffered a disappointing weekend with a double defeat.

On Saturday, they lost away to Greenock in the SNCL. Ayr batted first and posted a respectable 249-3, Michael Papps again in superb form scoring 135 not out, well supported by Douglas Johnstone (38).

The Greenock reply was always up with the required run rate and they reached their with two overs to spare.

On Sunday, Ayr were on Scottish Cup duty away to Watsonians. Batting first, they were bowled out for 122 with most batsmen getting a start but none being able to go on and make a big score.

The hosts reached their target for the loss of only two wickets with 20 overs to spare, Scotland batsman Ryan Flannigan top scoring with 86.

The Cambusdoon XI continued their good run of form with a comfortable victory at home to Moorcroft.

Batting first, they scored an impressive 276-7, Niall McCrossin top scoring with 133, well supported by Luke Speirs (39) and Matthew McClymont (41).

Ayr then restricted the visitors for 200. Top bowlers were David Baines with 3-38 and Luke Speirs 3-46.

The juniors had a successful week with victory for the U11s against Prestwick by 16 runs. The U13B team also had victory against Prestwick, this time by 44 runs, while the U15s had a 62 run victory at Kelburne.

Fixtures: Saturday: 1st X1 v Arbroath (h); 2nd X1 v Partick (a). On Sunday, Cambusdoon hosts two regional T20 games east v west at noon and 4pm.