SCOTTISH BOYS CHAMPIONSHIP - Four Ayrshire players in last 32

Ayrshire have four players in the last 32 of the 2010 Scottish Boys Championship, after rounds 2 & 3 were all but completed at a sunny West Kilbride on Wednesday.

In the first quarter, reigning Scottish Boys Strokeplay Champion Jack McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) was first into the last 32 with a narrow win over Bradley Neil (Blairgowrie). Two ahead with two to play, McDonald was unable to close out his opponent and the match progressed to extra holes. Neil had opportunities to take the tie before McDonald secured victory at the 21st hole. On Thursday morning, McDonald faces Willem Kerr (Craigmillar Park) for a place in the last 16.

The other Ayrshire player in the first quarter, Marc Smith (Troon Welbeck) bowed out of the competition in the third round, suffering a 5 & 4 defeat by Anthony Blaney (Liberton).

In the second quarter of the draw, Graeme Ritchie (Troon Welbeck) was defeated 3 & 2 in his second round match against Euan Douglas (Dunblane New) but there was better news from Ciar Porciani (Ayr Belleisle) who progressed to round three with a 4 & 3 win against Sean Burgess (Nairn) and in the afternoon defeated Jordan Williams (Castle Douglas) at the 19th to go into the last 32. On Thursday morning Porciani faces a fourth round match against Grant Forrest (Craigielaw).

The remaining two Ayrshire players in the last 32 are both in the third quarter of the draw.
In the top half of the quarter, Callum Beveridge (Troon Welbeck) beat Ross Black (Alness) by 4 & 3 on Wednesday morning in his second round match and followed this with a 4 & 2 win over Martin McAulay (Easter Moffat) in the afternoon. In the fourth round , on Thursday, Beveridge faces Euan Bowden (The Glen) in the last 32.

In the bottom half of the third quarter, Charlie Macneal (Troon Welbeck) had a 2 & 1 victory over James Reilly (East Kilbride) on Wednesday morning and a 3 & 2 win over Ross Proctor (Forres) in the afternoon, on his way to securing a fourth round match against Jamie Arthur (Milnathort) on Thursday.

The only other Ayrshire player featuring on Wednesday was Ross McSherry (Royal Troon) whose hopes ended with a second round defeat, by 7 & 6, against Robbie Gault (Cruden Bay).

The fourth and fifth round matches are scheduled to be completed on Thursday with the quarter finals and semi finals due on Friday.

The final match, over 36 holes, will be played on Saturday.