Ferguslie move up the ranks after win over Ayr
Solid show by batsmen sets side on the way to victory
Ferguslie CC continued their winning ways to move into the second spot in the WDCU Premier Division at the weekend.
A solid showing from the Ferguslie batsmen set them on their way to victory against Ayr, with skipper Jamey Carruthers’ decision to bat first paying dividends over the course of an impressive showing from the Paisley side.
Ferguslie openers Gregor Preston-Jones, 53 runs, and Michael English, 63 runs, looked to dominate the Ayr bowling attack early on before a questionable LBW and short ball that never got up saw both men back in the changing room before they deserved.
Their outs brought club coach and Scotland international Riyaad Henry to the crease alongside overseas professional James Holt.
Henry hit a well-made 45, and Holt would finish the afternoon with an unbeaten 52 runs, which left Ayr to chase a total of 227 runs to beat the Ferguslie men.
With a lot to live up to, the Ferguslie bowlers more than matched the efforts of the club’s batsmen as they managed to keep Ayr at bay.
And Ayr fell 23 runs short of Ferguslie’s total, thanks in part to the bowling attack of Henry who took three wickets.
Ferguslie prospect Haroon Tahir was also in fine form, removing ex-internationalist Michael Papps for 53 runs, with David Stafford taking the stumping.
This was also backed up by a good opening spell from the skipper, Carruthers and middle over spells from John Allan and Greg Cameron.
Ferguslie are now second in the league and will play leaders Prestwick this weekend in what looks to be a thrilling game.
Captain Car ruthers was also very complimentary about Tahir’s performance, not just for Saturday but for the weekend as well: “We’ve always had high hopes for Haroon and he is really showing his skills and ability this season.
“It was probably inevitable that he would get more opportunities and it’s great to see him rise to the challenge.
“The league is very open in my book and there’s still five teams I believe will challenge all the way. There is no room for slip-ups now.“