WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUE - Ayrshire teams open with double victory over Lanarkshire

The Ayrshire youths and full teams opened their respective bids for the 2008 West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues with victories over their counterpats from lanarkshire in the first of five matches to be played over the forthcoming weeks.

The youths team travelled to Airdrie to face Lanarkshire Youths and returned with a 5.5 - 4.5 victory. Despite losing the opening two ties, Ayrshire finished strongly, winning thre of the last four games to ensure victory.

Match Results (Ayrshire names first)

Jamie Mackay (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to P. Shields by 4 & 3
Kyle Smith (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to R. Robertson by 4 & 3
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) beat C. Kelly by 4 & 3
Craig Mclaughlin (Largs) halved with C. Bell
Scott Brown (Turnberry) beat S. Shevill by 3 & 1
Scott Clark (Ayr Belleisle) lost to M. Russo by 3 & 2
Jamie Acheson (Largs Routenburn) beat R. Corrigan by 3 & 2
Rory Acheson (Largs Routneburn) beat I. Anderson by 2 & 1
Stuart Henderson (Kilmarnock Barassie) lost to A. Steven by 2 holes
Graeme Gimson (Prestwick St. Cuthbert) beat A. Welsh by 4 & 3

AYRSHIRE YOUTHS 5.5 LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS 4.5

The full team faced lanarkshire in the corrsponding fixture at West Kilbride and had a comfortable 7.5 - 2.5 win over their visitors.

Again Ayrshire started slowly, Steven Mcewan losing to paul O'Hara in the opening tie and george Robertson being held to a half match by Alan Dick in the second tie, but the Ayrshire side shwed strenght in depth, winning the last five ties in the match for a clear victory.

Match details (Ayrshire names first)

Steven McEwan (Caprington) lost to Paul O'Hara by 3 & 1
George Robertson (Ravenspark)halved with Alan Dick
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Andy Fairbairn by 2 & 1
John Cairney (Ravenspark) beat Stuart Williamson by 2 & 1
Brian Moore (Largs) lost to Grant Beaton by 2 & 1
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) beat David Henderson by 7 & 6
Darren Mallinson (Ravenspark) beat Kevin Loughrie by 1 hole
Gary Bryden (Turnberry) beat Staurt Rennie by 4 & 3
Gareth Lamb (Irvine) beat Derek Loudoun by 2 holes
Steven Spence (Irvine) beat Keith Turnbull by 2 & 1

AYRSHIRE 7.5 LANARKSHIRE 2.5

Next week Ayrshire youths take on Dumbartonshire Youths at Kilmarnock Barassie whilst the full team travel to play Dumbartonshire in the corrsponding fixture away from home.