25 August 2018
There was huge disappoint for the club on Saturday when at 3.00pm at Greenock’s ground Glenpark the umpires abandoned the home clubs match against Poloc without a ball being bowled and sealing Ayr’s fate for the season and relegating them to the First Division of the Western Union for next year. At the start of the day Ayr were needing to win their match away to Dumfries and for Poloc to beat Greenock to overturn the percentage difference between the two clubs, but with the abandonment of the game all other results became irrelevant.
The match at Dumfries also ended in disappointment as they ended the season with a heavy defeat losing by 168 runs. The day had started well with Kenroy Peters taking a wicket in the first over and then an excellent run out by Richie Simpson left the Doomhamers struggling at 21-2 before Chris Belwood (93) set about the recovery and was closing in on his century when he was clean bowled by Scott McElnea. There then followed some late order hitting by Stuart Corbett-Byers (74) saw Dumfries finish on 242-9 in their 50 overs. In reply Ayr were always in trouble losing early wickets and only three batsmen reaching double figures, former Ayr player Alan Davidson doing the damage with the ball taking 8-19 as they were bowled out for 74.
There was huge disappoint for the club on Saturday when at 3.00pm at Greenock’s ground Glenpark the umpires abandoned the home clubs match against Poloc without a ball being bowled and sealing Ayr’s fate for the season and relegating them to the First Division of the Western Union for next year. At the start of the day Ayr were needing to win their match away to Dumfries and for Poloc to beat Greenock to overturn the percentage difference between the two clubs, but with the abandonment of the game all other results became irrelevant.
The match at Dumfries also ended in disappointment as they ended the season with a heavy defeat losing by 168 runs. The day had started well with Kenroy Peters taking a wicket in the first over and then an excellent run out by Richie Simpson left the Doomhamers struggling at 21-2 before Chris Belwood (93) set about the recovery and was closing in on his century when he was clean bowled by Scott McElnea. There then followed some late order hitting by Stuart Corbett-Byers (74) saw Dumfries finish on 242-9 in their 50 overs. In reply Ayr were always in trouble losing early wickets and only three batsmen reaching double figures, former Ayr player Alan Davidson doing the damage with the ball taking 8-19 as they were bowled out for 74.
11 August 2018
Victory at home to Poloc boosts League survival
Ayr recorded an excellent victory at home to Poloc on Saturday to boost their chances of survival in the Western Union. Asked to bat after Poloc won the toss they got off to a great start with Andi McElnea (113) and Anwar Hafeez (109) putting on 196 for the first wicket. After they had departed a quickfire 35 not out of 19 balls from Scott McElnea kept the momentum going as they finished on 305-4 in their 50 overs. In reply Poloc got off to a solid start but were always behind the run rate thanks to some tight Ayr bowling and wickets falling at regular intervals. Only the visitor’s South African overseas players Synman and Nel added any impetus to the innings but once they had departed their chance of victory ended and they finished on 262-9 to leave Ayr victorious by 43 runs. There were two wickets each for Johnny Baines, Anwar Hafeez and Pushkar Bhandari. The victory still leaves them in the bottom two, but with fellow strugglers Greenock losing to new champions Ferguslie the gap has closed.
Victory at home to Poloc boosts League survival
Ayr recorded an excellent victory at home to Poloc on Saturday to boost their chances of survival in the Western Union. Asked to bat after Poloc won the toss they got off to a great start with Andi McElnea (113) and Anwar Hafeez (109) putting on 196 for the first wicket. After they had departed a quickfire 35 not out of 19 balls from Scott McElnea kept the momentum going as they finished on 305-4 in their 50 overs. In reply Poloc got off to a solid start but were always behind the run rate thanks to some tight Ayr bowling and wickets falling at regular intervals. Only the visitor’s South African overseas players Synman and Nel added any impetus to the innings but once they had departed their chance of victory ended and they finished on 262-9 to leave Ayr victorious by 43 runs. There were two wickets each for Johnny Baines, Anwar Hafeez and Pushkar Bhandari. The victory still leaves them in the bottom two, but with fellow strugglers Greenock losing to new champions Ferguslie the gap has closed.
4 August 2018
Prestwick complete double in the league
Defeat away to local rivals Prestwick on Saturday has left Ayr struggling for survival in the Western Union. Batting first they were bowled out for 92, never recovering from losing two early wickets in the first three overs. In reply Prestwick were also in early trouble as opening bowlers Kenroy Peters and Scott McElnea both struck early but Jawad (41) and Rafiq (29no) steadied the ship and saw the home team to their target as they finished on 94-5 with 20 overs remaining.
Prestwick complete double in the league
Defeat away to local rivals Prestwick on Saturday has left Ayr struggling for survival in the Western Union. Batting first they were bowled out for 92, never recovering from losing two early wickets in the first three overs. In reply Prestwick were also in early trouble as opening bowlers Kenroy Peters and Scott McElnea both struck early but Jawad (41) and Rafiq (29no) steadied the ship and saw the home team to their target as they finished on 94-5 with 20 overs remaining.
21 July 2018
Victory at West boosts League survival
An excellent all round performance from Scott McElnea helped Ayr to overcome West of Scotland and boost their chance of survival in the Premier Division. McElnea top scored with 50 in the Ayr innings of 181-9 and then took 3-25 as West were bowled out 169. The day had not started well for Ayr as after being asked to bat were in early trouble at 39-4 before a stand of 38 between Richie Borland and McElnea stabilised the innings. When Borland departed a further stand of 53 with Kenroy Peters took the score 130-6 but a further flurry of wickets left them struggling before Johnny Baines (27no) and Lloyd Jefferson helped them to a respectable total of 181-9 in their 50 overs. In reply Shujja Khan struck early to remove Fennah but a stand of 121 between Watson (54) and Young (61) appeared to have West in the driving seat, but a batting collapse saw them lose seven wickets for 24 runs as Ayr won by 12 runs
Victory at West boosts League survival
An excellent all round performance from Scott McElnea helped Ayr to overcome West of Scotland and boost their chance of survival in the Premier Division. McElnea top scored with 50 in the Ayr innings of 181-9 and then took 3-25 as West were bowled out 169. The day had not started well for Ayr as after being asked to bat were in early trouble at 39-4 before a stand of 38 between Richie Borland and McElnea stabilised the innings. When Borland departed a further stand of 53 with Kenroy Peters took the score 130-6 but a further flurry of wickets left them struggling before Johnny Baines (27no) and Lloyd Jefferson helped them to a respectable total of 181-9 in their 50 overs. In reply Shujja Khan struck early to remove Fennah but a stand of 121 between Watson (54) and Young (61) appeared to have West in the driving seat, but a batting collapse saw them lose seven wickets for 24 runs as Ayr won by 12 runs
18 July 2018
Semi Final Victory in McCulloch Cup
Ayr travelled to Uddingston for the McCulloch Cup Semi Final and recorded a comfortable victory winning by 55 runs. Batting first they scored 114-8, a total which the resident experts and pundits thought was slightly below par. Richie Simpson top scoring with 32. In reply some tight bowling and fielding soon put them on top with Scott McElnea and Kenroy Peters striking early to put Uddingston on the back foot and when Shujja Khan dismissed the always dangerous Ross Lyons with a ball that kept a little low any possible fightback came to an end as they were bowled out for 59, There were 3 wickets for Anwar Hafeez and two each for Shujja Khan and Johnny Baines
Semi Final Victory in McCulloch Cup
Ayr travelled to Uddingston for the McCulloch Cup Semi Final and recorded a comfortable victory winning by 55 runs. Batting first they scored 114-8, a total which the resident experts and pundits thought was slightly below par. Richie Simpson top scoring with 32. In reply some tight bowling and fielding soon put them on top with Scott McElnea and Kenroy Peters striking early to put Uddingston on the back foot and when Shujja Khan dismissed the always dangerous Ross Lyons with a ball that kept a little low any possible fightback came to an end as they were bowled out for 59, There were 3 wickets for Anwar Hafeez and two each for Shujja Khan and Johnny Baines
14 July 2018
Ferguslie continue in their winning ways
League leaders Ferguslie travelled to Ayr on Saturday and continued on their winning ways as they recorded a 154 run victory. Batting first they posted an impressive 281-6 with batsmen Preston-Jones (78) and Moses (59) continuing their recent good run of form. There were two wickets each for Kenroy Peters and Shujja Khan. In contrast the Ayr batsmen struggled against some tight bowling from the visitors and were bowled out for 127 with only Scott McElnea (28) having an impact on the Ferguslie bowling.
Ferguslie continue in their winning ways
League leaders Ferguslie travelled to Ayr on Saturday and continued on their winning ways as they recorded a 154 run victory. Batting first they posted an impressive 281-6 with batsmen Preston-Jones (78) and Moses (59) continuing their recent good run of form. There were two wickets each for Kenroy Peters and Shujja Khan. In contrast the Ayr batsmen struggled against some tight bowling from the visitors and were bowled out for 127 with only Scott McElnea (28) having an impact on the Ferguslie bowling.
7 July 2018
Greenock Hang on for Victory
There was more disappointment for Ayr this weekend as they fell to another narrow defeat following last weeks last over loss at home to Uddingston, this time away to fellow strugglers Greenock. Batting first they got off to a flying start as openers Hafeez (28) and Miller (35) punished some wayward bowling from their hosts, but once the bowlers, especially spinners Flack and Smit found their radar the run rate slowed, and wickets began to fall, and they were eventually bowled out for 169. The Greenock reply after the early loss of Briggs who had his stumps shattered by Peters consolidated with Neil Flack scoring a fine fifty after having been dropped in the first over. When he was out trying to reverse sweep Hafeez the Ayr attack made another couple of quick strikes to cause some panic in the Greenock ranks, but a stand of 48 between Smit and McDougall swung the balance back in the home teams favour as they reached their target with four overs to spare and the loss of seven wickets.
Greenock Hang on for Victory
There was more disappointment for Ayr this weekend as they fell to another narrow defeat following last weeks last over loss at home to Uddingston, this time away to fellow strugglers Greenock. Batting first they got off to a flying start as openers Hafeez (28) and Miller (35) punished some wayward bowling from their hosts, but once the bowlers, especially spinners Flack and Smit found their radar the run rate slowed, and wickets began to fall, and they were eventually bowled out for 169. The Greenock reply after the early loss of Briggs who had his stumps shattered by Peters consolidated with Neil Flack scoring a fine fifty after having been dropped in the first over. When he was out trying to reverse sweep Hafeez the Ayr attack made another couple of quick strikes to cause some panic in the Greenock ranks, but a stand of 48 between Smit and McDougall swung the balance back in the home teams favour as they reached their target with four overs to spare and the loss of seven wickets.
30 June 2018
Last over defeat to Uddingston
Andi McElnea won the toss and asked Uddingston to bat and in sweltering heat the visitors were bowled out for 253 with South African Jimmy Sholto-Douglas top scoring with 101. Ayr got their innings off to a solid start in their reply with Anwar Hafeez and Michael Miller (32) putting on 71 for the first wicket. On Millers departure he was soon followed by skipper McElnea before Shujja Khan (35) joined Hafeez to get the run chase back on track. But as wickets started to fall the run rate started to creep up and they went into the last over needing ten runs to win and then six off the last ball to tie but Hafeez could only manage a single as he finished on 108no and the total on 248-7.
Last over defeat to Uddingston
Andi McElnea won the toss and asked Uddingston to bat and in sweltering heat the visitors were bowled out for 253 with South African Jimmy Sholto-Douglas top scoring with 101. Ayr got their innings off to a solid start in their reply with Anwar Hafeez and Michael Miller (32) putting on 71 for the first wicket. On Millers departure he was soon followed by skipper McElnea before Shujja Khan (35) joined Hafeez to get the run chase back on track. But as wickets started to fall the run rate started to creep up and they went into the last over needing ten runs to win and then six off the last ball to tie but Hafeez could only manage a single as he finished on 108no and the total on 248-7.
23 June 2018
Skippers sees Ayr home against Dumfries
Skippers sees Ayr home against Dumfries
16 June 2018
Narrow Defeat at home to Clydesdale
There was disapontment for Ayr as they fell to a narrow defeat against Clydesdale at Cambusdoon on Saturday. In one of only two Western Union games to take place due to the inclement weather play eventually got underway with the game reduced to 25 overs. On winning the toss the visitors put Ayr into bat and soon had them in trouble taking wickets at regular intervals with only Scott McElnea (29) and Puskhar Bhandari (17no) able to trouble the Clydesdale bowlers as they finished on 92-9. In the Clydesdale reply Kenroy Peters struck early removing the dangerous Barbour, but a second wicket partnership between Sturgess and Awan swung the game back in the visitors favour even with some tight Ayr bowling, but when Sturgess was run out, Peters struck again with two wickets in successive balls to give Ayr a glimmer of hope and further strikes from the McElnea brothers made for tense final overs, but Anwan 44 not out saw the visitors home with ten balls to spare.
Narrow Defeat at home to Clydesdale
There was disapontment for Ayr as they fell to a narrow defeat against Clydesdale at Cambusdoon on Saturday. In one of only two Western Union games to take place due to the inclement weather play eventually got underway with the game reduced to 25 overs. On winning the toss the visitors put Ayr into bat and soon had them in trouble taking wickets at regular intervals with only Scott McElnea (29) and Puskhar Bhandari (17no) able to trouble the Clydesdale bowlers as they finished on 92-9. In the Clydesdale reply Kenroy Peters struck early removing the dangerous Barbour, but a second wicket partnership between Sturgess and Awan swung the game back in the visitors favour even with some tight Ayr bowling, but when Sturgess was run out, Peters struck again with two wickets in successive balls to give Ayr a glimmer of hope and further strikes from the McElnea brothers made for tense final overs, but Anwan 44 not out saw the visitors home with ten balls to spare.
9 June 2018
Heavy Defeat Away To Poloc
It was a disappointing day for Ayr as they lost away to Poloc in the league. After winning the won the toss and batting they were soon in trouble as they lost early wickets and were reduced to 74-7 before an eighth wicket partnership of 94 between Scott McElnea (77) and Pushkar Bhandari (42no) rescued the innings as they reached a respectable total of 190-9 in their 50 overs. Sadly, their score was not to be enough as Poloc cruised to their target for the loss of only one wicket.
Heavy Defeat Away To Poloc
It was a disappointing day for Ayr as they lost away to Poloc in the league. After winning the won the toss and batting they were soon in trouble as they lost early wickets and were reduced to 74-7 before an eighth wicket partnership of 94 between Scott McElnea (77) and Pushkar Bhandari (42no) rescued the innings as they reached a respectable total of 190-9 in their 50 overs. Sadly, their score was not to be enough as Poloc cruised to their target for the loss of only one wicket.
2 June 2018
Prestwick Claim Local Bragging Rights
Prestwick claimed the bragging rights on Saturday with a comfortable but hard fought win over Ayr at Cambusdoon to claim the Masterton Scott Trophy and Fraser Macdonald won the first Grant Stanley man of the match award for his innings of 64. Prestwick captain Shazad Rafiq had earlier won the toss and asked Ayr to bat and the home team were soon in trouble as they were reduced to 29-3 before Kenroy Peters and Shujja Khan made a slight recovery but following Khan’s dismissal to an excellent catch of his own bowling by Sachin Chaudry the Ayr batting continued to struggle and they were eventually bowled out for 130 with only Peters (46) making any impact on the Prestwick bowling. Chasing the small total, the visitors were in soon in trouble losing Rafiq in the first over, but man of the match MacDonald held the innings together with some assistance from Mitchell Rao against some tight Ayr bowling as they inched their way towards their target which they reached comfortably with almost six overs to spare
Prestwick Claim Local Bragging Rights
Prestwick claimed the bragging rights on Saturday with a comfortable but hard fought win over Ayr at Cambusdoon to claim the Masterton Scott Trophy and Fraser Macdonald won the first Grant Stanley man of the match award for his innings of 64. Prestwick captain Shazad Rafiq had earlier won the toss and asked Ayr to bat and the home team were soon in trouble as they were reduced to 29-3 before Kenroy Peters and Shujja Khan made a slight recovery but following Khan’s dismissal to an excellent catch of his own bowling by Sachin Chaudry the Ayr batting continued to struggle and they were eventually bowled out for 130 with only Peters (46) making any impact on the Prestwick bowling. Chasing the small total, the visitors were in soon in trouble losing Rafiq in the first over, but man of the match MacDonald held the innings together with some assistance from Mitchell Rao against some tight Ayr bowling as they inched their way towards their target which they reached comfortably with almost six overs to spare
30 May 2018
Local Derby Victory
Victory over local rivals Prestwick moved Ayr a step closer to the quarter finals of the McCulloch Cup. After winning the toss Prestwick batted first and a couple of tight overs from the Ayr opening bowlers Fazal Jawad started to find the boundary and increase the run rate. At the other end the bowlers kept chipping away taking wickets and gaining back control and helped by the unfortunate injury to Jawad who appeared to pull a muscle while taking a quick single which restricted his movement and allowed Harry Boyd to lure him into a mistake as he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary by Richie Borland. Following his departure for 60 they soon dismissed the dangerous Sachin Chaudry thanks to an excellent running catch on the boundary by Lloyd Jefferson as the run rate dried up and the innings finished on 138-8.
The Ayr reply got off to a flying start with Anwar Hafeez and Michael Miller finding the boundary with great regularity as they raced along at ten an over and when Miller departed for 32, captain Andi McElnea (20no) joined Hafeez (75no) to continue the onslaught on the Prestwick attack as they raced to victory with almost 4 overs to spare.
Local Derby Victory
Victory over local rivals Prestwick moved Ayr a step closer to the quarter finals of the McCulloch Cup. After winning the toss Prestwick batted first and a couple of tight overs from the Ayr opening bowlers Fazal Jawad started to find the boundary and increase the run rate. At the other end the bowlers kept chipping away taking wickets and gaining back control and helped by the unfortunate injury to Jawad who appeared to pull a muscle while taking a quick single which restricted his movement and allowed Harry Boyd to lure him into a mistake as he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary by Richie Borland. Following his departure for 60 they soon dismissed the dangerous Sachin Chaudry thanks to an excellent running catch on the boundary by Lloyd Jefferson as the run rate dried up and the innings finished on 138-8.
The Ayr reply got off to a flying start with Anwar Hafeez and Michael Miller finding the boundary with great regularity as they raced along at ten an over and when Miller departed for 32, captain Andi McElnea (20no) joined Hafeez (75no) to continue the onslaught on the Prestwick attack as they raced to victory with almost 4 overs to spare.
26 May 2018
Stirling v Ayr
Ayr travelled to Stirling on Saturday in a league match which also had the Iffla Trophy being played for. Stirling won the toss and batted, making a solid start before Scott McElnea dismissed both openers. The Ayr bowlers continued to take wickets at regular intervals and were able to bowl out the home team for 178 with three wickets each for Scott McElnea and Shujja Khan. In reply Ayr got of to a confident start with an opening stand of fifty between Anwar Hafeez and Richie Simpson but wickets then fell at regular intervals with Kenroy Peters (57) and Hafeez (32) making any impact on the home bowling as they were bowled out for 164, their cause not helped by a hand injury to last man Callum Leck which had him struggling to hold the bat with two hands.
Stirling v Ayr
Ayr travelled to Stirling on Saturday in a league match which also had the Iffla Trophy being played for. Stirling won the toss and batted, making a solid start before Scott McElnea dismissed both openers. The Ayr bowlers continued to take wickets at regular intervals and were able to bowl out the home team for 178 with three wickets each for Scott McElnea and Shujja Khan. In reply Ayr got of to a confident start with an opening stand of fifty between Anwar Hafeez and Richie Simpson but wickets then fell at regular intervals with Kenroy Peters (57) and Hafeez (32) making any impact on the home bowling as they were bowled out for 164, their cause not helped by a hand injury to last man Callum Leck which had him struggling to hold the bat with two hands.
16 May 2018
Ayr v Irvine
Ayr started their defence of the McCulloch Cup with a comfortable victory over Irvine at Cambusdoon. An opening stand of 133 between Anwar Hafeez (80) and Michael Miller (61) set them on their way to an impressive total of 173-4 which proved too much for the visitors who despite a late flurry by overseas amateur Bevan Carlse (43 no) finished well short on 141-5.
Ayr v Irvine
Ayr started their defence of the McCulloch Cup with a comfortable victory over Irvine at Cambusdoon. An opening stand of 133 between Anwar Hafeez (80) and Michael Miller (61) set them on their way to an impressive total of 173-4 which proved too much for the visitors who despite a late flurry by overseas amateur Bevan Carlse (43 no) finished well short on 141-5.
13 May 2018
Ayr v Grange
On Sunday Grange were the visitors to Cambusdoon in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Ayr batted first and posted 220-8 with Anwar Hafeez (95 no) top scoring and received good support from Andi McElnea (33). The Grange reply got off to a flying start with ex-Scotland internationalist Gordon Goudie (43) and Ryan Flannigan (89 no) putting the Ayr bowlers to the sword with some clean striking. A couple of quick wickets gave Ayr a glimmer of hope, but ex Scotland captain Preston Mommsen (38 no) joined Flannigan to see the visitors to comfortable victory.
Ayr v Grange
On Sunday Grange were the visitors to Cambusdoon in the first round of the Scottish Cup. Ayr batted first and posted 220-8 with Anwar Hafeez (95 no) top scoring and received good support from Andi McElnea (33). The Grange reply got off to a flying start with ex-Scotland internationalist Gordon Goudie (43) and Ryan Flannigan (89 no) putting the Ayr bowlers to the sword with some clean striking. A couple of quick wickets gave Ayr a glimmer of hope, but ex Scotland captain Preston Mommsen (38 no) joined Flannigan to see the visitors to comfortable victory.
12 May 2018
Ferguslie v Ayr
Ayr travelled to Paisley on Saturday to take on Ferguslie in the Western Union. The home team won the toss and batted first posting 242-5, Michael English top scoring with 77 before being dismissed by Callum Leck. Ayr struggled in their reply losing wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 69 with only Kenroy Peters (21) and Anwar Hafeez (18) having any impact on the Ferguslie attack.
Ferguslie v Ayr
Ayr travelled to Paisley on Saturday to take on Ferguslie in the Western Union. The home team won the toss and batted first posting 242-5, Michael English top scoring with 77 before being dismissed by Callum Leck. Ayr struggled in their reply losing wickets at regular intervals as they were bowled out for 69 with only Kenroy Peters (21) and Anwar Hafeez (18) having any impact on the Ferguslie attack.
5 MAY 2018
AYR v GREENOCK
Ayr eventually got their Western Union campaign underway with a convincing victory at home to Greenock. Skipper Andi McElnea won a crucial toss and put the visitors into bat on a substitute pitch after the umpires decided that playing on the original would be too close to a large damp patch on the outfield. New professional Kenroy Peters got his season of to a flier taking a wicket in each of his first two overs and with Scott McElnea chipping in from the other end the visitors were soon reduced to 12-3, a position they were not to recover from as the Ayr bowlers continued to dominate and bowled them out for 84 with Andi McElnea finishing with figures of 4-2. In reply Ayr were never in any real trouble and reached their target for the loss of only one wicket with Anwar Hafeez (27no) and Andi McElnea (37no) seeing them home with more than 25 overs to spare.
AYR v GREENOCK
Ayr eventually got their Western Union campaign underway with a convincing victory at home to Greenock. Skipper Andi McElnea won a crucial toss and put the visitors into bat on a substitute pitch after the umpires decided that playing on the original would be too close to a large damp patch on the outfield. New professional Kenroy Peters got his season of to a flier taking a wicket in each of his first two overs and with Scott McElnea chipping in from the other end the visitors were soon reduced to 12-3, a position they were not to recover from as the Ayr bowlers continued to dominate and bowled them out for 84 with Andi McElnea finishing with figures of 4-2. In reply Ayr were never in any real trouble and reached their target for the loss of only one wicket with Anwar Hafeez (27no) and Andi McElnea (37no) seeing them home with more than 25 overs to spare.
