Winning Ayr in good heart for derby

Cricket Ayr warmed up for Sunday’s big Cambusdoon derby with a double win.

Put into bat by Greenock, there were useful contributions from Neil Smith ( 29), Michael Papps ( 41) and Andi McElnea ( 34) before an excellent 75 not out from Matt Crawshaw saw Ayr finish on 237- 9 after 50 overs.

Greenock’s reply was interrupted by rain after drinks with the score on 80- 3. On the restart, they were set a target of 222 of 45 overs, but when rain returned the visitors were six behind their target on 165- 6 with no more play possible.

The triumph keeps Ayr third in the league and hot on the tails of leaders Prestwick.

At Coatbridge, Cambusdoon XI beat Langloan by six wickets to go second in the Reserve League.

Langloan were restricted to 169- 8 with Harry Boyd taking 3- 51 and two wickets each for Richie Borland and Pushkar Bhandari. Another fine innings from Lloyd Jefferson ( 58), got Cambusdoon off to a fine start before 30 not out from Niall McCrossin saw them win with almost 13 overs to spare.

The Development XI made it two victories in a row in the Evening League, beating Vale of Leven at Milburn Park. The home team scored 131- 6 off 20 overs, with Lloyd Jefferson taking 2- 27.

The reply was built around 71 not out from Matthew Baines, his second 50 in successive games. He got good support from Lloyd Jefferson ( 21) and brother Johnny ( 26 no) as they won with more than two overs to spare.

On Saturday, the Cambusdoon XI take on St Ninians at the Henry Thow Oval. On Wednesday, a third attempt will be made to play the McCulloch Cup semi- final against Ferguslie.

Sponsors: v Prestwick: Barry McGuire; v Ferguslie: Clancy Consulting.