CRICKET PRESTWICK
Prestwick will bid to step up their Premier Division title challenge when they face Ferguslie in their FOURTH home game in a row on Saturday.
The Henry Thow Oval men bounced back from their defeat by leaders Clydesdale to beat Langside by four wickets and cement third spot.
The visitors were back in the pavilion after 43.5 overs for only 87 with man of the match Jonathan Hulme’s 4-10 off eight overs the chief destroyer.
Skipper Fraser Macdonald took 3-18, also from eight overs.
In reply, Prestwick took only 27.3 overs to knock off their target but lost three wickets for four runs before reaching 90-6. Macdonald (28) was the top scorer.
The St Ninians XI crashed by 160 runs away to leaders Albert Park who made it four straight wins.
The home side ran up 268-8 and then dismissed St Ninians for 108 in 37 overs.
Tonight (Wednesday), Prestwick host Kilmarnock in the quarter-finals of the McCulloch Cup.
On Saturday, the 1st XI entertain Ferguslie at noon while St Ninians XI travel to Meikleriggs.
Ayr maintained their perfect start to the League with what turned out to be a comfortable victory at home to Helensburgh.
Captain, Andi McElnea won the toss and took his preferred option of batting first, though the innings did not get off to the great start, losing Lloyd Jefferson for a duck.
But Michael English (87) continued his excellent form and was supported by most of the other batsmen who all made a start, but only Niall McCrossin scoring over 30 as they were bowled out for 264 in the final over.
The Helensburgh innings did not get off to a great start with Nari Bhandari striking early, but overseas amateur Luke Smith started to rebuild the innings. And it took a double strike from Callum Leck to shift the balance back in Ayr’s favour as he tempted Smith down the wicket and had him stumped by Seb Stewart.
The Ayr bowling attack then took control, taking wickets at regular intervals as the visitors were bowled out for 177 to give Ayr victory by 87 runs.
There was disappointment for the Cambusdoon XI as they lost their 100% record when they fell short in their run chase away to Motherwell.
The home team batted first and were bowled out for 211, Cambusdoon not helped by having to field with only 10 players, losing Richie Borland who injured a finger attempting to take a catch and had to go to hospital, for almost 40 overs.
In reply, they lost four early wickets, before Ross Mitchell (34) and Robbie Walsh (38) started to rebuild the innings. But once they departed, followed by Steve Baker for 20, it was left to Borland, who had returned from his trip to A&E to try and see them home. However, the required run rate increased and the task proved too much as they fell 21 runs short with Borland on 40 not out.
The Development XI got of to winning start in the Midweek League with a 21 run victory over BBC at Cambusdoon.
On Sunday the Development XI were back in action, this time at home to Victoria.
Batting first in a game reduced to 30 overs they were bowled out for 129, Johnny Baines top scoring with 65.
Victoria then reached their target for the loss of only three wickets.
This week sees Ayr away to Stenhousemuir on Saturday and on Thursday evening they will head back to Glasgow to replay their Rowan Cup tie against West of Scotland, which fell victim to the rain last week.
The Cambusdoon XI are at home to Victoria, while the Development XI host Renfrew on Sunday.