WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire A team open title defence with win over Glasgow but youths suffer opening day defeat

The Ayrshire A Team got off to a winning start in their defence of the West Of Scotland Inter County League title on Sunday 18^th September, opening their campaign with a 6 – 2 home win over Glasgow at Troon Portland.

With some established first team players unavailable, the strength in depth of the present Ayrshire squad was clearly illustrated during the match, with only one defeat and two half matches surrendered to the Glasgow team by the home side in the eight ties.

Host club member Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) led off for Ayrshire with a 2 & 1 win over Fraser Grant whilst both Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) and Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) secured half matches against John Lawrie and Alan Waugh respectively, in the following two ties.

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) made it 3 – 1 for Ayrshire with a 2 & 1 win over Craig Brown before John Shanks (Irvine) and Jim Johnstone (Ayr Belleisle) ensured the match win for Ayrshire with single hole victories over Steven Manning and Graeme Cross respectively.

The penultimate tie saw Steven Stamper (Turnberry) record a 3 & 2 win over Brendan McLeman to give Ayrshire six points from seven.

Ayrshire suffered their only defeat in the anchor tie, Stuart Miller (Kilmarnock Barassie) losing out to Steven Mechin of Cowglen, who is also a member of the host club, by 4 & 3.

In the corresponding youths match, also played on Sunday 18^th September at Cowglen GC, Ayrshire suffered a 5.5 – 2.5 defeat to the Glasgow youth side.

In the lead tie Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) halved with Chris Grant (Ralston) and Ayrshire took a 1.5 -.0.5 lead when Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Matthew Hendrick (Pollock) by 3 & 2.

Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) was unfortunate to lose by the narrowest of margins on the final green to Ross Douglas (Ralston) in the third tie and Glasgow edged ahead with Jack Williams (Sandyhills) inflicting a 3 & 2 defeat on Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine).

Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) had a 4 & 3 win over Allan Murray (Ralston) to make the match score 2.5 – 2.5, but Ayrshire were unable to take anything from the three remaining ties and lost out by 5.5 – 2.5 overall.

Stuart McLean (Ralston) beat Jack Purdie (Largs) on the final green by one hole, Blair Fleming (Troon Welbeck) was beaten 4 & 3 by Chris McMillan (Bishopbriggs) and Charlie Cameron (Ayr Belleisle) was beaten 5 & 3 by Alex Melrose (Haggs Castle).

Next Sunday, 25^th September, the A team travel to face Stirlingshire at Glenbervie whilst the Youths entertain the Stirlingshire Youths side at Rowallan Castle.