Ayr Cricket Club beat Stoneywood Dyce in national league

Jul 29 2011 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR sizzled in the sunshine as they beat Stoneywood Dyce at home in the Scottish National League.

Put in to bat on a difficult wicket, Ayr scored a respectable 182-5. Top scorer was Michael Papps (35) with good support from Mark Renny (27), Douglas Johnstone (26 not out) and Ross Mitchell (33 not out).

Stoneywood’s reply got off to a terrible start as Papps removed Scotland international Goudie with the second ball of their innings.

Ayr’s bowling attack continued to keep control of the match with some excellent bowling from Elliot Speirs, conceding only 13 runs from his 10 overs and Papps, nine from eight overs as the visitors were bowled out for 117, Andi McElnea finishing with 4-29.

On Wednesday night, Ayr chased 156 to maintain their unbeaten record in the West League Cup with victory away to Ferguslie. Top scorers were Papps (70) and McElnea (56 not out) as Ayr won with one ball to spare.

The following evening they played host to Clydesdale in the Rowan Cup. The visitors batted first and scored 146-3. After a promising start by Mark Renny (42) and McElnea (21), Ayr lost regular wickets as the Clydesdale spin attack took control and restricted Ayr to 114.

The Cambusdoon XI also had a busy week, Tuesday night saw them beat Poloc to progress to the semi-final of the Western Cup.

Batting first, they scored 97-9 with Matthew McClymont top scoring with 31. Poloc appeared to be heading for victory for needing one for victory off the last ball but young Robbie Henderson claimed the wicket of the last batsmen as they were bowled out for 97 leaving the scores tied and the Cambusdoon men claiming victory by losing fewer wickets.

Saturday saw them lose to Nunholm at Dumfries in the SNCL Reserve League.

Batting first, they scored 144-9, Niall McCrossin top scoring with 41. The hosts reaching their target for the loss of five wickets.

Sunday saw them return to Nuholm this time in the Strathclyde League. Batting first, they scored 234-3, Callum McLaughlin scoring his maiden century for the club on his return from injury and 51 from Richie Borland. Some tight and accurate bowling then restricted the hosts to 229-4.

The under 11s beat Kilmarnock by 25 runs.

This weekend sees Local Life Ayr away to Drumpellier in the SNCL and the Cambusdoon XI away to Shawholm. Saturday sees Cambusdoon host anther game for the homeless Hillhead as they take on St. Michaels.

MGM Prestwick inched closer to promotion with their seventh straight win to preserve their 100 per cent record.

Craig Morrison hit 41 as the Oval lads were dismissed at home to Hillhead.

Shazad Rafiq took 5-27 as the visitors were skittled for 87 to give Prestwick victory by 70 runs.

Gavin Pitt’s men now face a big weekend with a trip to Irvine in the league on Saturday followed by an SCU Cup semi-final away to Dumfries on Sunday.

The St Ninians X1, with veteran Tommy Halpin coming out of retirement, beat Hillhead at Drumpellier.

Halpin, 63, played his first game for 16 years to help out the short handed Oval lads. And he carried his bat for an unbeaten 15 as Prestwick made 192 with Mitchell Rao top scoring with 58. Hillhead replied at 113 (Rao 3-39).

Halpin quipped: “If I’m not opening the batting for the 1st X1 on Saturday there will be problems!”

The Sunday X1 lost by eight wickets away to Clydesdale. Prestwick made 173-9 which was passed at 174-2.

The under 15s beat Ayr by four wickets. Ayr were dismissed for 66 but Prestwick replied with 67-6 with Michael Miller (34 not out) hitting the winning runs off the last ball.

The under 18s beat Uddingston by 72 runs at home on Monday. Prestwick raced to 160-1 (Ross Patterson 70 not out, Chris Scott 42 not out) and then contained Uddingston to 88-5 (Samantha Haggo 2-14).

Samantha, 18, top scored with 30 as Scotland ladies lost by five wickets to Lancashire at Stirling on Sunday.

Samantha is in the Scotland team for the European Championships in Amsterdam starting on August 14. Games will be against Holland and Ireland.

Fixtures: Friday: U11s v East Kilbride (a); Saturday: 1st X1 v Irvine (a), sponsored by Frankie & Benny's; St Ninians X1 v Bute County (h), sponsored by the Golf Inn; Sunday: 1st X1 v Dumfries (a), SCU Trophy; Monday: U18s v Greenock (h), sponsored by Reid Quantum.