Ayr land spoils in derby day cracker
Prestwick come up just short in Oval run chase
Ayr returned to winning ways in the League on Saturday with a thrilling victory in the local derby against Prestwick at the Henry Thow Oval.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and posted a total of 181, with the main contributions coming from skipper Andi McElnea ( 60) and Michael Papps ( 36).
In reply Prestwick were always in trouble with the Ayr bowlers taking wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 90- 9.
With final pair Mitchell Rao and Gavin Pitt at the crease, but they managed to keep the scoreboard ticking over until only 30 were required of the last three overs, but Scott McElnea managed to entice an edge for Pitt to leave Ayr victors by 14 runs and Rao stranded on 66 no.
Neil Smith with 3- 16, Scott McElnea 3- 34 and Andi McElnea 2- 33 were pick of the bowlers.
On Sunday they were in action in the Western Union Cup at Titwood against Clydesdale where they lost by three wickets in the last over.
Ayr batted first scoring 1639 with Neil Smith top scoring with 70 – a total the hosts chased down with four balls to spare.
Johnny Baines the pick of the bowlers taking 3- 34.
Wednesday night saw Ayr begin their week against local rivals Prestwick in the McCulloch Cup with the result being decided on the last ball of the game.
Prestwick batted first scoring 141- 9 with the innings built round 63 from Faizal Jawad.
There were three wickets each for Neil Smith and McElnea.
When batting, Ayr made a solid start between Papps and Smith before losing regular wickets but needed only six off the last over and that came down to two off the last ball.
But Matthew McClymont edged behind to leave Prestwick victors by one run.
The Cambusdoon XI hosted St. Ninians on Saturday but fell to a six wicket defeat.
Batting first they were bowled out for 143, Niall McCrossin top scoring with 43.
The visitors innings got off to good start with an opening stand of 73 between Lawler ( 59) and McGregor ( 34) before three quick wickets from Pushkar Bhandari gave the Cambusdoon men some hope but St. Ninians ran out comfortable winners with more than 20 overs to spare.
T h i s w e e k s e e s international cricket return to Cambusdoon when Scotland take on Namibia in the Intercontinental Cup from June 6- 9 with play starting each day at 11am. Entry is free.
Next week sees Ayr at home to Clydesdale on Saturday in the Western Union and away to Irvine in the McCulloch Cup.
The Cambusdoon XI are away to Titwood on Saturday.