AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Royal Troon suffer title setback whilst Ardeer go through to Division 3 title play off matches.

The Ayrshire Scratch Leagues are progressing well, with several crucial matches being completed recently.

In DIVISION 1, the chase for the title is becoming close between Irvine and Royal Troon, following the latest fixture where Kilmarnock Barassie completed their league season with A 5 – 1 home win over Royal Troon.

Royal Troon still have a game in hand over Irvine, and have a chance of overtaking them with a win in the outstanding tie, with just a few fixtures remaining to be played.

At the foot of the table it appears that Prestwick St Cuthbert are destined for the automatic drop to Division 2, with Loudoun only needing a draw or better from their remaining two ties to avoid the automatic drop and relegate Prestwick St Cuthbert as a consequence.

Kilmarnock Barassie, Largs and Loudoun are still possible candidates to fill the Division 1-2 play off spot.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Irvine	8	6	0	2	28.5	19.5	9	24
Royal Troon	7	5	1	1	26.5	15.5	11	22
Kilmarnock Barassie	10	4	1	5	31.5	28.5	3	18
Largs	8	4	0	4	26.5	21.5	5	16
Loudoun	8	3	1	4	19	29	-10	14
Prestwick St Cuthbert	7	0	1	6	12	30	-18	2

In DIVISION 2, Turnberry, Ballochmyle and West Kilbride will battle it out for the title and automatic promotion place following recent results, where Turnberry had a narrow 3.5 – 2.5 away win at Caprington and a 3 – 3 draw at Troon Portland, whilst West Kilbride beat their hosts at Rowallan Castle by 4.5 – 1.5, to effectively relegate Rowallan Castle from Division 2. Only two heavy wins in their remaining fixtures and a defeat for Caprington in their final tie would allow Rowallan castle to avoid the automatic drop.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Turnberry	8	4	2	2	27.5	20.5	7	20
Troon Portland	10	3	4	3	27.5	32.5	-5	20
Ballochmyle	6	4	1	1	21.5	14.5	7	18
West Kilbride	7	4	1	2	24	18	6	18
Caprington	9	3	1	5	26.5	27.5	-1	14
Rowallan Castle	8	1	1	6	17	31	-14	6

With Ayr Belleisle already through to the  Division 3 title play off matches, after winning DIVISION 3a, The final match in DIVISION 3b saw Irvine Ravenspark end Girvan’s hopes with a 4 – 2 home win at Ravenspark, which confirmed that Ardeer would top the table and progress to the title play off matches with Ayr Belleisle

Final positions in Division 3b are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Ardeer	6	4	0	2	21	16	5	16
Prestwick St Nicholas	6	2	2	2	19	17	2	12
Girvan	6	3	0	3	19	18	1	12
Irvine Ravenspark	6	1	2	3	14	22	-8	8

The title play off matches between Ayr Belleisle and Ardeer, played on a home and away basis, are due for completion by the 19^th of August, with the winners taking the trophy and automatic promotion place and the runners up going on to contest the Division 2 – 3 play off matches.