Dig deep until our main man is back
Three weeks until star Indian makes return
Shahzad Rafiq has urged Prestwick to dig deep until their star player returns.
Indian amateur Murtuza Trunkwala, 20, will miss the Oval club’s next three games after going home for state under 23 trials.
Prestwick badly missed their key man as they crashed by 55 runs away to Drumpellier.
But the KPM Residential sponsored side face a busy week as they try to bounce back.
They have West League Cup action on Wednesday, a Rowan Cup tie on Thursday before hosting undefeated league leaders Ferguslie on Saturday.
Skipper Rafiq said: “If we win anything without our overseas amateur we will have outdone ourselves. He is a huge player for us and we missed him at Drumpellier where it was a bad day at the office.
“We ended up chasing 40 runs more than we should but there were still some high points. Mikey Miller was exceptional for an 18- year- old and hopefully he will kick on.
“Willie Rowan also bowled very well at the end. It’s still a decent start with two wins from four... and we are also above Ayr.”
Prestwick won the toss as they chased three wins in a row and inserted Drumps who racked up 206- 8 despite Rowan’s 4- 25.
A big reply was needed but it never came and Prestwick were dismissed for 151 despite Fraser Macdonald ( 33) and Miller ( 32)
Fixtures: Wednesday: 1st XI v Irvine ( h), WLC; Thursday: 1st XI v Drumpellier ( a), Rowan Cup; Saturday: 1st XI v Ferguslie ( h); St Ninians XI v Meikleriggs ( a); Tuesday: St Ninians XI v Albert Park ( h); Wednesday June 1: 1st XI v Kilmarnock ( h), WLC.
Ayr’s yo- yo season continued as they lost by 125 runs at home to Uddingston.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and posted 206- 8 in their 50 overs. There were some fine bowling performances from players at different stages of their careers, with young Matthew Baines taking 4- 51 and the slightly more experienced Douglas Johnstone 4- 43.
Ayr’s reply lost regular wickets, with only Scott McElnea who top scored with 28 troubling the Uddingston bowlers. Ayr were bowled out for 81.
The U13s reached the final of the League Cup with a thumping victory over West of Scotland. Ayr scored 175- 2 with Richie Simpson, Johnny Faulkner and Sam Jefferson all retiring having reached 30.
They then bowled out their visitors out for only nine with three wickets for Nari Bhandari and two for Ryan Parry.
The U11s scored 75- 3 away to Weirs and then restricted their hosts to 64- 4.
Saturday: 1st XI v Clydesdale ( a), sponsor Ted Murray; Cambusdoon XI v Titwood ( h); Sunday: 1st XI v Weirs ( h, WU40 Cup).
Weirs visit in the Rowan Cup ( sponsor Clancy Consulting) this Thursday. The Development XI are away to Crow Road in the Evening League on Tuesday.
Prestwick 1st XI team to play Ferguslie at home on Saturday: S Rafiq, W Rowan, T Fleet, R Patterson, M Miller, D Caryle, F Macdonald, F Jawad, M Rao, N Thakur, G Pitt. ARCHERY
Come and try your hand at archery. That’s the call from Ayr Archery Club who invite people to join them at the W J Mowatt Playingfields at Doonside on Sunday, June 5.
The event is held in conjunction with Archery Great Britain and Foresters Friendly Society as part of Archery GB’s Big Weekend. More than 80 clubs have signed up. There is no cost, event runs from 11am4pm with all equipment provided.