The eight qualifying sections in the 2026 Ayrshire Men's Handicap League Championship are nearing a conclusion, with several decisive fixtures completed recently.
In GROUP 1, West Kilbride still lead from Ardeer, who suffered a 4-2 defeat away to Kilmarnock Barassie before being awarded a 4-2 victory in their away fixture against Stewarton.
With four fixtures remaining to be played, West Kilbride face a crusial away match at Ardeer on Sunday the 5th of July, which may have a crucial influence on which of the two clubs qualify for the knockout stages.
Present positions in Group 1 are:-
In GROUP 2, the hopes of Prestwick St Cuthbert suffered a blow following a 4-2 home defeat to Beith, and with just four fixtures remaining to be played, the return match between beith and St Cuthbert at Beith on Sunday the 5th of July will be crucial for both clubs chances, while Moorpark also still harbour hopes of a place in the quarter finals if they can win their final fixture of the campaign at Loudoun the following weekend.
Present positions in Group 2 are:-
In GROUP 3, Ayr Seafield boosted their hopes of qualifying with a 3.5-2.5 away win over Golf South Ayrshire at Ayr Belleisle to tie their opponents at the top of the table. Ayr Seafield now need to avoid defeat in their final fixture to beat Golf South Ayrshire to the quarter final qualification spot, and in the final fixture Ayr Seafield are away to a resurgent wallacetown team who enjoyed a 3-3 draw away to Troon St Meddans and a 5-1 home win over Irvine in their latest two fixtures, and who could also mathematically win the section and qualify for the quarter finals if they win their final two matches at home to Ayr Seafield and away to Irvine by a sufficient margin.
With just two fixtures to be completed present positions in Group 3 are:-
In GROUP 4, Tam O Shanter won their winner take all home match against Auchenharvie 88 by 4-2 to top the section and take their place in the knockout stages.
With two fixtures remaining to be played, present positions in Group 4 are:-
In GROUP 5, Kilbirnie Place lead the way after victories in their final two home matches against Caprington and Redburn by 4-2 and 3.5-2.5 respectively. Following a good away win by 4-2 at Girvan, Caprington can edge out Kilbirnie for the qualifying spot if they can secure at least a win and a draw in their final two fixtures at home to Girvan and away to Redburn.
With just the two fixtures remaining to be played, present postioins in Group 5 are:-
In GROUP 6, Ayr Belleisle continued ther dominance of the section with a 5-1 away win over Royal Troon while Annanhill recorded their first victory of the campaign away to Prestwick St Nicholas, by the same score.
With just Annanhill's home tie against Royal Troon remaining to be played on Sunday the 5th of July, present postion in Group 6 are:-
In GROUP 7, Rowallan Castle beat their visitors from Routenurn by 4-2 ancd can move into second place in the final table if they can beat the qualifiers from the section, Drongan, in the final fixture of the section, which was postponed recently.
With just the one fixtures to be completed, present positions in Group 7 are:-
In GROUP 8, Troon Portland beat North beach by 4-2 in their final home fixture, while the final outstanding fixture of the section, to be played on Sunday the 5th of July, sees Alton host Ballochmyle in a winner takes all section decider, with Ballochmyle only needing to avoid defeat to go through to the knockout stages.
With just the one fixture remaining, present positions in Group 8 are:-
