Clydesdale gallop /Important win for title challengers
Clydesdale have emerged as the closest challengers to Western Premier leaders Ferguslie after a day when the Ayrshire Riviera provided the only respite from the rain, writes William Dick.
While Dale returned with the spoils from their trip to Ayr, down the coast at the Henry Thow Oval champions Prestwick were losing to Uddingston.
At Cambusdoon, Ayr were soon in trouble as Dale’s young new-ball pair of Billy Prizada and Ihtisham Malik claimed a wicket apiece.
However, it was a quickfire treble from Zeeshan Bashir which put the visitors firmly in control. At 25-5 the Alloway men were in danger of complete collapse until Scott Mcelnea – not for the first time this season – top-scored with 29.
There was also a dogged unbeaten 17 from youngster Puskar Bhandari ensuring that Ayr batted out their allocation of 25 overs to reach 91-9.
It looked like a stroll for Dale when they cruised to 64-1 but the loss of five quick wickets sparked a dose of the jitters and they were indebted to opener Sheryar Anwan for his patient unbeaten 44.
In a match reduced to 24 overs, Prestwick slumped to their second defeat of the campaign as Uddingston produced a solid batting display to amass an impressive 146-7.
Gavin Bradley claimed 4-13 as Prestwick, having been on course at 64-3, collapsed to 112 all out.
In the Eastern Premier, the clash between leaders Grange and reigning champions Heriot’s lasted for just three overs before a downpour drenched the field. None of the other matches even started.