Sports round- up
GOLF NEWS
Ayrshire Under 18 county team retained the David Wishart Trophy and West of Scotland Inter County Under 18 Championship in dramatic style with a 4.5- 3.5 win over Stirlingshire at Falkirk.
Ayrshire went into their final match knowing they needed to record a better result than Renfrewshire. But when their nearest rivals drew 4- 4 with Lanarkshire at Wishaw the title was theirs.
Match details: John McCracken ( Kil Bar) lost to George Cannon ( Glenbervie) 3& 1; Fraser Russell ( Roy Troon) beat Wallace McInnes ( Dunblane) 8& 6; Havey Broadfoot ( Welbeck) beat Louis Cowie ( Bridge of Allan) 3& 2; Kerr Brooks ( Irvine) beat Liam Breslin ( Callander) 2& 1; Rob Yorston ( Loudoun) lost to Ross Laird ( Falkirk) 4& 3; Harvey McDonald ( Belleisle) lost to Austin Cantlay ( Callander) 3& 2; Jack Allan ( Ballmyle) beat Ross Gilfillan ( Falkirk) 3& 2; Ross McDonald ( Kil Bar) halved with Sebastian Sandin ( Dunblane). • Jim Mason ( 9) and Stuart Wilson ( 8) of NB Parkstone ( pictured below) won the Ayrshire Fourball Championship, beating Frank Grant ( 9) and Hugh Wales ( 13) of Ardeer by 2& 1 in the final at Skelmorlie. • ALTON, who play out of Ardeer, beat Ayr Dalmilling 2- 1 to land the handicap club team knockout President’s Putter.
Dalmilling fielded a low handicap team and gave four shots in the foursomes and nine and eight shots in the singles.
Foursomes: Graeme Kerr ( 13) and Euan Findlay ( 10) beat Sean Thorburn ( 8) and Tony McCurdie ( 8) 2& 1; Singles: Glenn Wilson ( 4) beat Gerry Reid ( 12); Michael Tulloch ( 10) beat Adam Cambers ( 1) by one hole. • THE Ayrshire Handicap League Championship went to Kilbirnie Place who beat Ayr Dalmilling 3.5- 2.5.
Results: Alan Myers ( 7, Kilbirnie) beat Stuart Thorburn ( 7, Dalmilling) 3& 2; Kieran Johnston ( 8, Dalmilling) beat Scot Cairns ( 9, Kilbirnie) 4& 3; Scott Adams ( 5, Dalmilling) halved with Scott Chesney ( 5, Kilbirnie); Martin Whiteford ( 12, Kilbirnie) beat Lee Robertson ( 11, Dalmilling) 3& 1; Mark Adams ( 12, Dalmilling) beat Dougie Johnston ( 13, Kilbirnie) by two holes; David McGawn ( 14, Dalmilling) lost to Craig Fulton ( 14, Kilbirnie) by one hole. • SCOTT BROWN ( St Cuthbert) leads the chase for the Ayrshire Order of Merit for the Doc Thom Salver.
Brown collected points in three of four recent counting events, with third place in the Mainholm Cup at Ayr Dalmilling, fourth at the Troon St Meddans Open and fifth in The Ballochmyle Rosebowl.
Steven Stamper ( Turnberry) is in second place, just 40 points behind after points for second spot in the St Meddans Open and fifth in the Mainholm Cup.
Michael Smyth ( Royal Troon) remains third, just 55 points off top spot, while the biggest mover in the table has been Steven Wallace ( St Cuthbert) who has climbed up to fourth following a first place finish in the Ballochmyle Rosebowl and a second place in The Viking Krus at Largs.
The fina l counting event is The Arrol Cup at Prestwick St Nicholas on Saturday, September 21. • AYRSHIRE have named their six strong team for the Scottish Inter A rea Team Championship at Stirling on T h u r s d a y , September 26.
The event, w h i c h i s administered by The Scottish Seniors Golfing Society is a single round scratch strokeplay competition with the best five scores from six counting towards the team score.
After not taking part in the event for a few years, a strong team has been selected to represent the Area Association, led by + 2 handicapper and Scottish Seniors internationalist Paul Moultrie ( Royal Troon). Other team members are: Ian Walker ( Royal Troon) ( scr), Robbie Stewart ( Troon Portland) (+ 1), Paul Denim ( Loudoun) ( 1), Stuart Dixon ( Royal Troon) ( 1) and John Rushbury ( Royal Troon) ( 2).
GOLF RETURNS
TAM O’SHANTER GC Senior Stableford. Division 1: C McGee ( 19), 42; D Allan ( 17), 40; K Vallance ( 7), 39; A Gray ( 8), 38; J Frame ( 13), 38; G Laing ( 16), 36; D Hughes ( 24), 35; A McLaughlin ( 21), 34; G Gibson ( 15), 33; S MacLean ( 7), 33; D Leckie ( 8), 33; F Craig ( 11), 32; G Aitken ( 11), 31; T Hindle ( 13), 31; D Robson ( 14), 31; L Yair ( 18), 30; B Cruickshank ( 15), 28; J McCorkell ( 8), 28;
J Wales ( 29), 28; E Millar ( 13), 28; AS Bruce ( 21), 28; T Weaver ( 13), 25; C Stewart ( 29), 25; C Downie ( 20), 24. GIRVAN GC
Subject to the Match Secretary’s report the September medal was won by Jim Crawford ( 12), 62 followed by Alan Copland ( 10), 63, Joel McCluskey ( 13), 64, John MacLachlan ( 8), 65 and David Heron ( 13), 65. Alan Gaff with 72 had the lowest gross score of the round. Over at Turnberry in the Saturday medal on August 31, Jim Cooper came in to win with ( 11), 81 followed by John Dauthieu ( 8), 84. In the Turnberry ladies Summer Stableford Anita O’Connor came in with the winning score of 33 points followed by Celia Roger 31 points and E Fitzgerald 30 points. PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS GC
Hourston Trophy. September 4: 1- J McNairney ( 10), 71; 2- G Wilson ( 8), 77; 3- S Blake ( 19), 84; 4- Steve Fawcett ( 14), 90; 5- D Court ( 15), 92. PRESTWICK ST NICHOLAS LADIES
September Medal. Silver- 1- S Dumigan ( 12), 77; 2- L Thompson ( 20), 78. Bronze1- A Cumming ( 32), 73; 2- L Glasgow ( 25), 77.
MOTORSPORT
Kames Motorsport Complex might provide the shortest stages in the J1000 Ecosse Challenge but it is never short of drama – and the Albar Trophy Rally was no exception.
There were the usual incredibly tight margins, a roll from second place, and a stunning debut. Ayr’s Oliver Hunter grabbed his second win of the season, only a few miles from home, while the talking point of the day was Owen Paterson’s podium position on his first event. Statistic of the day was that Oliver’s total time would have placed him third in the senior event.
ANGLING
RAITH RESERVOIR
Fish returns for August 20 to September 8: Billy Walker 2 fish for 5lb P/ B; Rod Wills 3 fish for ( 1 brown) 7 lb P/ B; Neil Mcginn 1 fish for 2lb P/ B.
As usual Day Tickets can be purchased at: Gamesport, Ayr; Newalls Newsagents Monkton.
CYCLING
The Ayr Roads/ Harry Fairbairn Cycling Club team of nine men and three women joined over 200 other Time Triallists on Sunday to compete in the Georgetown Cup.
The event took place on a short seven mile course at Georgetown, Renfrewshire.
The Cup is an inter- club challenge awarded to the team with the fastest eight riders on combined time for men and the fastest team of three women.
With the inter- club rivalry very much to the fore, the event has become one of the most popular short distance team events on the Scottish calendar and attracts competitors from all over Scotland.
Ayrshire fielded two teams; Ayr Roads and Fullarton Wheelers.
The Ayr Club were without a full team in the men’s event, but were hopeful their ladies team of Aileen Fisher, Beth Macrae and Charlotte Robb would put up a good performance against the stronger Glasgow and District Teams. On the day, they did just that, finishing with a silver medal, in a combined time of 56 minutes 27 seconds.
They also broke the previous ladies record by 3 seconds, before the Glasgow Green CC ladies team came in with a time of 55.48 to take Gold and set a new ladies record for the course.
In the main event, the overall win went to Glasgow Green CC in a combined time of 2.07.43, also a new team record. Ayr Roads Team finished in eighth place in a time of 2.16.57 with their Ayrshire rivals Fullarton Wheelers 6th in 2.11.46
Immediately after competing at Renfrew the Ayr club members headed to Straiton to assist in the Tour of Britain Road Race where the club had been invited to man the King of the Mountains Hill prime at Lamdoughty Hill.
The club put up an excellent show and were delighted when they featured in the Television highlights on Saturday evening.
Michael Curran and John Gemmell chose to compete in the 25- mile Mountain Time Trial on Sunday.
The Tour of the Campsies is run over a challenging course with a timed section on the iconic Crow Road climb section at the very start.
Michael finished first Ayrshire Club rider in a fine time of 1.06.54 with John finishing in a time of 1.16.00.
Chris Smart of GTR- Reutrn to Life won the event in a time of 57 minutes 15 seconds. On Thursday night the 10 mile TT times were: Michael Curran 22.15; Calum Macdonald22.41; Tom Gooding- Hill 23.37; Harry Brawley 23.44; Duncan McArthur24.17; Iain Fisher 24.41; Aileen Fisher 25.38; Beth Macrae 25.53; John Gemmell 26.00.
The event was supposed to be the last evening 10 mile TT of the season but by popular demand the club agreed to hold one more evening 10 ( this Thursday), subject to light conditions.
Meanwhile, on Sunday the main club run headed for the South Ayrshire hill country by way Glenalla with a stop at Barr recording a good 55 miles distance. Others chose the eastern parts of the county taking in a 50 mile circuit of the Cumnocks and returning by Skares, with a third group clocking up 60 miles by way of the Nick o’ Balloch circuit.
There are a few open events remaining with the Drumclog Road Race, the Isle of Bute week- end and the Tour de Trossachs Mountain TT, befor the onset of the CycloCross Season. Ayr Roads will be competing in all three.
The club hill climb championship will be held on Sunday, October 12 on Carwinshoch Hill.
BOWLS
PRESTWICK AMBASSADOR
Another season kicks off this week with the majority of internal leagues starting.
This season the Gents team look forward to life back in the premier league while the Senior side look to do better than previous seasons under a new selection team.
The Ladies will be hoping to push for promotion to the premier league once again this season after a great effort last year. Call 01292 471454 for information regarding coaching classes. AUCHINLECK INDOOR All day leagues ( Monday Open Triples, Tuesday Gents Triples, Wednesday Open Triples and Thursday Gents Fours League) start – League fixtures now available. Vacancies in league ( Monday Open Triples, Wednesday Open Triples). Evening Leagues start week commencing September 23.
RUGBY
AYR
Ayr’s new- look club XV sailed to victory over Edinburgh side Watsonians on Saturday, writes Callum Kerr.
Despite trailing 17- 12 at the break, Ayr pieced together an enthralling second
half to secure a 48- 24 win in the first home game of the season.
Playing out on the club’s annual Ladies Day, 360 women joined the usual Millbrae faithful in the stands for a fitting curtain raiser.
Johnny McCorkindale bagged a hattrick, with other tries from Zac Howard, Jamie Bova, James Armstrong and James Pinkerton.
Stuart Fenwick’s men will look to carry their second- half form into next week’s away fixture, where they play Boroughmuir in the capital.
It was also good news for the U18s, who toppled Biggar 42- 31 in a top- ofthetable clash.
Ayr Ladies were beaten 80- 29 by Corstorphine Cougars, despite it being a two- point game at the break.
A scintillating solo try from Robynn Gibson was the highlight from Ayr.
On her debut for the club, Canadian import Annie Widdifeild also managed to muster two scores just six minutes apart.
But Ayr shipped 54 points to their visitors during a damaging second period.
MARR
Marr Rugby’s league season got underway with important wins for all three of its senior sides.
At Riverside Park, a healthy travelling support saw Marr’s first XV beat Jed Forest 57- 28.
Twelve tries were exchanged in front of rugby royalty including Jim Telfer, Roy Laidlaw and Greig Laidlaw watching from the touchline.
Conor Bickerstaff ( 4), Jack Preston, Colin Sturgeon and Iosefo Turaga all crossed for Marr with Colin Sturgeon nailing seven conversions. • The seconds blew Glasgow Accies away with an avalanche of tries.
Marr ran out 68- 5 winners in the Tennent’s West Reserve League 1 fixture.
And in Reserve League 3, Marr were 31- 14 winners at home to Ardrossan Accies 2nd XV.
Tries came from Jason Doolan, Chris Myers, Jandy Dunlop and Thomas Watkins ( 2).
This week sees the first XV host Musselburgh while the 2s travel to Hillhead Jordanhill.
The third XV are at home to Uddingston 2nd XV.
RACING
BY IAIN FERGUSON
Dakota Gold, the long- time ante post favourite for the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup on September 21, was pulled out of the race after winning for the fourth time in a row at York on Sunday.
His trainer Michael Dods had intimated before York’s Listed Garrowby Stakes that if his five year- old was to win it was unlikely he would tackle the Gold Cup as he would have to carry an 8lb penalty which would make him top weight.
And Dods confirmed immediately after Sunday’s contest that Dakota Gold wouldn’t line up at Ayr saying : “He won’t run in the Ayr Gold Cup as he has another penalty.
“There’s a Group 3 at Newbury on Ayr Gold Cup day and that’s a possibility.”
As a result of the withdrawal the three year old Victory Day, trained by master trainer William Haggas, is the new 8- 1 favourite.
His last outing was in the middle of August when he won the Shergar Cup Sprint at Ascot and although he has only raced five times he could be something special.
He runs in the Clipper Logisitics colours and their retained jockey Danny Tudhope will take the mount.
For those thinking of backing Victory Day I would hold off until after Saturday as he holds an engagement in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown on Saturday evening and if he runs there I think he would probably bodyswerve his Ayr engagement.
Clipper Logistics also own Arecibo, a 20- 1 chance, who was second in a decent race at Haydock on Saturday and won at Ayr in July.
Trained by David O’Meara, Tudhope will switch to this horse if the new favourite doesn’t run.
Next week I’ll bring you an in depth look at the runners and riders for Scotland’s richest Flat race and also pick out some other horses who will be running in the many quality races at the three day William Hill Ayr Gold Cup Festival. • A Liverpool jersey signed by left back Andy Robertson, the Scotland captain, fetched an amazing £ 2,700 at an auction held during Ayrshire Cancer Support’s Prohibition Ball at Ayr Racecourse on Friday.
Andy signed the strip when he attended the Summer Raceday in June at the Racecourse who donated it to Ayrshire Cancer Support, their Charity partner.
AYRODYNAMIC
Andy Rennie and Lyndsey Blair both competed at the ITU world age group sprint events in Lausanne where the Grand Final was being held. Andy finished in 1: 38: 30 and Lyndsey in 1: 25: 04.
The Scottish Standard Triathlon Championships were held at Knockburn Loch near Aberdeen where they also ran a sprint race before the standard event.
Four members of Ayrodynamic Triathlon Club competed in the Standard event and one in the sprint event.
Lorna Todd won gold in her age category and was fourth female overall in 2hr 30mins.
Charlie Martin was fourth in his age category and was 39th male overall in 2hr 44min and Lorna Sloan won bronze in her age category and was 24th female overall in 2hr 59min.
Tracey Middleton tackled the sprint race and won her age category and was fourth female overall in 1hr 24min.
In France Grant Young competed at Foules and a run in the St Gaudens Sprint in 1 hour 17 mins placed Grant half way up the near 400 strong field and another first in category.
A superb turnout from Ayrodynamic at New Cumnock Supersprint saw very strong performances despite challenging weather conditions.
A rare chance to swim outdoors in a heated pool meant the triathlon was a sellout.
Times: Barbara McIntyre 1.09.36, Darren Ridout 1.01.21, Emma Von Hof 1.00.38, Mark McNulty 48.21 - 2 nd overall, Fiona Connolly 1.17.25, Darren Nicol, Lynsey MacDonald 1.14, Jen Murray 1.07, Gordon McBain 1.08.49, Graham Strawhorn 1.04.36, John Lumley 1.07.05.
DARTS
AYR & DISTRICT LEAGUE
Sponsored by Black Bull Ayr, WSH Fencing Ayr and ENER Care Ltd Ayr.
Jim Thom Cup Quarter Finals: Glenburn 6, Ship 5; Anchor A 3, Black Bull 7; Red Lion 4, High Society 6; Pockets A 6, Mathas 2.
Best Games: J. Reid 19, J. Gaffney 21, J. McEwan 20/ 24, M. Muir 18, A. Taylor 20/ 20, S. Arrandale 24, D. Harvie 21/ 24, K. Matthews 22/ 24, N. Doyle 19/ 24, J. Moore 20/ 23, J. Mitchell 20, K. Murphy 23, O. McNiven 18. High Checkouts: N. Doyle 144, M. Muir 111, D. Harvie 100. 180s: A. Taylor, J. Reid x2.
YOUTH FOOTBALL
West of Scotland YFL results: ( under 13s): Cambusdoon FC 5 Caledonian United 12; Crosshouse BC 8 Beith Juniors 0; Cumnock Juniors 12 Stewarton Ann 0; Dean This 8 Dean Clts 0; Dreghorn Stars 9 Ayr Boswell 3; Drongan Utd 7 Auchinleck Tal 0; Girvan Youth 12 Coylton FC 0; Irvine Mw AC 0 Bonnyton This 12; KCS Kilwinning Ran 1 Galston YFC 1; Valspar FC 0 Glenburn MW 7; ( under 14’ s League A): Caledonian YFC 6 Largs Clts 0; Dalrymple Clts 2 Nith Val Utd 1; Dreghorn Moorfield BC 6 Valspar 0; Galston YFC 5 Craigie Colts 3; Stewarton Ann 5 Bellfield Ryls 2; League B- Bellfield BC 7 Hurlford Utd 0; Coylton FC 3 KFA Inter 2; Crosshouse BC 3 Woodwynd Wlvs 3; Cunninghame YFC 1 Auchinleck Talb 12; Tass This 9 KFC Bayern 3; Troon This 3 Glenburn MW 5; ( under 15’ s): Bellfield Ryls 0 Cambusdoon FC 0; Bonnyton This 0 KSC Kilwinning Whites 7; Dean This 0 Crosshouse BC 12; Galston YFC 12 Irvine Md 0; KSC Kilwinning Blue 12 Troon Thistle 1; Nith United 6 Cumnock Jnrs 0; Valspar Colts 3 Caledonian YFC 1; ( under 16’ s): Brandane Bulls 2 Townhead Utd 6; Clark Drive 1 Irvine Victoria 4; Crosshouse BC 9 Valspar Ath 0; KFA Rovers 0 Stewarton Annick 9; KSC Kilwinning Blue 3 Galston YFC 3; KSC Kilwinning White 2 Dean Colts 2; Troon FC 1 Caledonian 4; Troon Thistle 1 Dean Thistle 9; ( under 17’ s): Bellfield Ryls 3 Glentyan This 3; Hurlford 3 Caledonian This 3; Troon FC 9 Stewarton Utd 0; Troon Titans 0 Rowallan FC 9; Valspar AC 6 Whitletts Vics 1; ( under 19’ s): Hurlford BC 7 Caledonian YFC 0; Irvine Utd 8 Troon FC 3; Valspar FC 9 Ayr Jnrs 0; Whitletts Vics 1 AC Irvine 3.
AYR UTD LOTTERY
Five Star Weekly winners- £ 1000 ( A2145), Mr Gillespie, Monday- £ 50 ( A4915) S McCrorie; £ 10 ( G2525), E Gilbride; £ 10 ( H4824), T McCreadie; £ 10 ( F0135), T Sloan, Tuesday: £ 50 ( A4714), D Fulton, £ 10 ( A0125), A Murdoch, £ 10 ( A0722), J Mackay, £ 10 ( K0323), C Herron, Wednesday: £ 50 ( D1735), D Guthrie; £ 10 ( D1533), Mrs Hart, Mossblown; £ 10 ( D4711), T Murray, Coylton; £ 10 ( B2633), A Buyers, Troon; Thursday: £ 50 ( A2422), R Anderson, £ 10 ( B4541), R Kerr; £ 10 ( A4123), W Lafferty, £ 10 ( C1413), E Young, Friday: £ 10 ( J1411), J Brown, £ 10 ( E2523), W Fraser, £ 10 ( J1114), S McIntyre.
DOMINOES
AYR & DISTRICT LEAGUE
Whitehorse A cup qualifiers : Railway Club, Willie Wastles, Anchor A, Smugglers( Final on Friday, Sept 13 in Whitehorse, 7.30pm start)
Ship Cup Qualifiers ( Monday, Sept 16 at 7.30pm): Ship ( venue), Whitehorse A, Black Bull , Anchor B; Whitehorse B ( venue), Anchor C, Fourways, Thistle; Anchor A ( venue), Railway Club, Chase, Burns B; Burns A ( venue), Willie Wassels, Smugglers, Central Bar. Ship Cup final takes place on Friday, September 27.