AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES =- Kilmarnock (Barassie) set to retain title as promotion and relegation issues near conclusion

The new Ayrshire Scratch League trophies

The 2011 Ayrshire Scratch Leagues are rapidly drawing to a close with all the remaining fixtures due to be completed this month.

Defending champions Kilmarnock (Barassie), who won the title for the first time 12 months ago, under the previous format, look set to retain the top honour as they lead Division 1, whilst many of the other promotion and relegation questions in all five leagues have also been concluded.

In DIVISION 1, Kilmarnock (Barassie) can only now be caught by Troon Welbeck, who would not only have to win their remaining games well but would also require the Kilmarnock (Barasie) side to faulter spectacularly and lose their remaining three games.

In recent matches, Irvine concluded their season with successive 5 - 1 home wins over Loudoun and Ayr Belleisle. The defeat at Irvine confirmed that Ayr Belleisle will drop down to Division 2 next year.

Present positions in Division 1 are :-

Kilmarnock Barassie	7	25	17	26
Irvine	10	35	25	20
Loudoun	9	28.5	25.5	20
Troon Welbeck	8	26	22	18
Irvine Ravenspark	9	25	29	16
Ayr Belleisle	9	16.5	37.5	4

 Remaining fixtures :-

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Vs Loudoun, Troon Welbeck Vs Kilmarnock (Barassie),

Ayr Belleisle Vs Kilmarnock (Barassie) & Irvine Ravenspark Vs Troon Welbeck

In DIVISION 2, Ballochmyle have completed their fixtures and remain firm favourites to secure promotion and the Division 2 trophy. Although Ardeer and West Kilbride can mathematically still catch Ballochmyle, both would require to win all their remaining matches by a considerable margin to overtake the leaders.

Although Kilbirnie are at the foot of the table at present, in reality any of the teams in the section except Ballochmyle could be fighting to avoid the drop if the remaining results go against them.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

Ballochmyle	10	38	22	30
West Kilbride	6	21	15	16
Ardeer	6	17.5	18.5	14
Caprington	7	17.5	24.5	10
New Cumnock	8	18	30	10
Kilbirnie Place	7	20	22	8

 Remaining fixtures :-

Ardeer vs Kilbirnie, Caprington Vs West Kilbride, New Cumnock Vs Ardeer,

Kilbirnie Vs West Kilbride, Caprington Vs Kilbirnie, Ardeer vs West Kilbride,

New Cumnock Vs West Kilbride, Ardeer Vs Caprington.

With no relegation this season from DIVISION 3, Prestwick St Cuthbert have hopes of the promotion place in their own hands with two fixtures remaining.

A win in any of their remaining games would put the St Cuthbert team out of reach of the remaining three teams in the section.

Present positions in Division 3 are :-

Prestwick St Cuthbert	4	15.5	8.5	12
Troon St Meddans	5	14.5	15.5	10
Largs	5	15	15	8
Tam 'O' Shanter	4	9	15	6

 Remaining fixtures :-

Largs Vs Prestwick St Cuthbert, Troon St Meddans Vs Tam O Shanter,

Prestwick St Cuthbert vs Tam O Shanter.

Like in division 3, there will be no relegation this year from DIVISION 4, where the title battle for the trophy and promotion appears to be between Ayr Dalmilling and Prestwick St Nicholas, with Turnberry retaining very slim hopes, depending on other results.

After faultering to a 3 - 3 draw at Moorpark in their penultimate game, Turnberry finished their season with a flourish with a 5 - 1 home win over league leaders Ayr Dalmilling, whilst Prestwick St Nicholas kept the pressure on with a 5.5 - 0.5 home win over Maybole in their latest fixture.

Present positions in Division 4 are :- 

Ayr Dalmilling	7	25.5	16.5	20
Turnberry	8	30.5	17.5	20
Prestwick St Nicholas	6	21.5	14.5	16
Maybole	7	14.5	27.5	10
Moorpark	6	10	26	2

 Remaining fixtures :-

Moorpark Vs Prestwick St Nicholas, Moorpark Vs Maybole,

Prestwick St Nicholas Vs Ayr Dalmilling.

In DIVISION 5, Girvan can already celebrate winning the innaugural league 5 trophy, with one match still to play, despite suffering their first loss of the season, by 3.5 - 2.5, at Doon Valley recently.
t the foot of the table, it looks like Crosshouse and Brunstobn Castle will be battling it out to avoid taking the wooden spoon this season.

Present positions in Division 5 are :- 

Girvan	7	33.5	9.5	26
Doon Valley	6	18.5	17.5	14
Rowallan Castle	6	14	22	12
Brunston Castle	6	15	21	6
Crosshouse	5	10	20	4

 Remaining fixtures :-

Crosshouse Vs Brunston Castle, Rowallan castle Vs Crosshouse,

Brunston Castle Vs Doon Valley, Rowallan castle Vs Girvan

Crosshouse Vs Doon Valley.