Prestwick go top as Kelburne challenge crumbles and race for title tightens

Prestwick are the new Western Premier leaders after another day of twists and turns in an intriguing title race.

Their hard-fought win at Kelburne, coupled with Uddingston losing to Greenock, means Shahzad Rafiq’s side are in pole position.

And to add to the interest, Prestwick’s closest challengers are rivals Ayr, who are a mere 00.38 per cent behind.

“It’s great to be top and even more special that it’s Ayr up there with us,” said Rafiq.

“We try to play attacking cricket but there are also times when you need to be patient.”

One such time arrived early at Whitehaugh when Prestwick, having been sent in to bat in bowler-friendly conditions, were struggling on 28-3.

A crucial partnership of 60 ensued between Sachin Chaudry and Fraser Macdonald to put the visitors on course for a competitive total.

While Chaudry top-scored with 57, skipper Rafiq placed as much importance on Macdonald’s painstaking 16.

He added: “Fraser’s effort was vital in putting us into a good position.”

Rain intervened and Prestwick’s innings was brought to a halt on 136-5 from 41.3 overs before Kelburne were set a revised target of 125 from 25.

Chaudry turned in an astonishing bowling performance that yielded six wickets for five runs as the Paisley team were bundled out for 49.

Chaudry was not the only bowler in the division to return a six-wicket haul. Shujaa Khan’s 6-34 helped Ayr restrict Dumfries to 215 at Nunholm.

The league’s most prolific opening pair – Neil Smith and Michael Papps – then staged their third century partnership of the campaign to put the issue beyond doubt.

Smith’s was the only wicket to fall – for 92 – but Papps went on to finish unbeaten on 97 as Ayr won with 12 overs to spare.

Assessing his team’s title prospects, skipper Andi Mcelnea said: “It’s going to be tight all season. July is a big month for us and if we can do well then we will have a chance to push for the title.”

Uddingston will have to regroup quickly after their five- wicket defeat to Greenock at Bothwell Castle Policies.

A sub-standard batting display saw them dismissed for just 103 as Aussie duo Julien Hulbert and Kyle Scrimgeour shared seven wickets.

Scrimgeour’s 32no then guided Greenock to their best win since returning to the top flight.

Champions Clydesdale are back on the fringes of the title race following a crushing nine-wicket win at East Kilbride while Ferguslie and Poloc remain in the picture though the pair were frustrated by rain at Meikleriggs.