Ayr County bowlers keep turning on the style

Jun 19 2009 by Mike Wilson, Kilmarnock Standard

AYR County are through to the quarter-finals of the Andrew Hamilton Scottish Counties Championship after beating Dumfriesshire 126-91 at Girdle Toll.

But Ayrshire are playing a waiting game after losing 110-105 to west league leaders Stirling County at Spittalmyre.

Ayrshire have the same number of points as both Dumbartonshire and Renfrewshire. Now they must beat Lanarkshire on Saturday, then wait on the results from both the Stirling County v Dumbartonshire and Renfrewshire v Clackmannan games.

The qualifiers could well be judged on the total number of shots difference from the season's games.

Ayr County surged into an early 20+ shot lead and stayed in front. County have won all six of their games and now play Lanarkshire West, who also have a 100 per cent record, at Dalserf on Saturday to determine the league winners and runners-up.

This game will decide which team that each will play in their respective quarter finals.

Scores: Ayr County 126, Dumfriesshire 91: David Conway 24, Rae Graham 16; Jim Hume 22, Steven Lowther 17; Jim Fleming 13, Martyn Rice 16; Graham Peacock 16, Colin Peacock 22; Hugh McCrindle 25, Trevor Black 10; James Gribben 26, Lawrence Moffat 10.

Ayrshire 105, Stirling County west 110: Johnny Carswell 18, Hugh Letford 16; Colin Smith 17, Brian Stillie 12; Ian Galloway 19, Duncan McCormack 17; Douglas Watson 18, Sandy Deans 19; Garry Hood 23, Douglas Logie 23; Graeme Campbell 10, John Williams 23.

On Saturday, Ayr County play Lanarkshire South at Dalserf. The bus leaves Ayr at 11.45 am and Kilmarnock at 12.15 pm.

Team 1: J. Rumsey (Dundonald), G. Hamilton (Darvel), B. Queen (Galston), D. Conway (Dalmellington). Team 2: A. Parker (Dundonald), S. Caldwell (Kay Park), G. King (Northwest), J. Hume (Springhill). Team 3: J. Anderson (Northwest), G. Kennedy (Peter Boyle), S. Dudgeon (Dundonald), J. Fleming (Mauchline). Team 4: G. Williamson (Irvine Park), C. McArthur (Dundonald), E. Duncan (Cumnock), G. Peacock (Hurlford). Team 5: B. Morris (Girdle Toll), G. Hume (Springhill), C. Wilson (Portland Kilmarnock), H. McCrindle (Cumnock). Team 6: C. Adrain (Irvine Park), J. Tait (Maidens), F. Leitch (Mauchline), J. Gribben (Glaisnock Valley). Reserves: I. McIlwraith (Girvan), G. Wells (Kilmaurs), M. Williamson (Irvine Park).

On Saturday, Ayrshire entertain Lanarkshire West at Kilwinning. Players to report by 1pm.

1: K. Boyd (Irvine Park), G. McKinlay (Northfield), J. Hopkins (Galston LMW), J. Carswell (Blacklands). 2: F. McCartney (Dreghorn), C. Duffy (Craigie), J. Cumming (Crosshill), C. Smith (Tarbolton). 3: C. England (Northfield), S. Stevenson (Ardrossan), G. Nelson (Newton Park), I. Galloway (Dalry). 4: A. Marshall (Newton Park), B. Anderson (Annbank), G. Johnstone (Auchinleck), D. Watson (Mauchline). 5: C. Collins (Northfield), J. Wardrop (Saltcoats), J. Black (Dalmellington), G. Hood (Hawkhill). 6: S. England (Northfield), D. McWhirter (Dailly), S. Graham (Drongan), G. Campbell (Newton Park). Reserves: J. Campbell (Ardrossan), G. Iley (Ardrossan), C. Cobbledick (Coylton).