WEST OF SCOTLAND LEAGUES - A team crash to defeat whilst youths finish on winning note against Glasgow

Needing wins in their remaining two matches in the 2012 West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues to take the title for the first time in many years, the Ayrshire A team crashed to defeat at the first of these two hurdles on Sunday 14th October, losing out by 6 - 4 to Glasgow at Troon Darley.

Michael Smyth got the home side off to a winning start but Steven McEwan lost out narrowly on the final green when Jamie Savage had a closing eagle three to level the match score.

Ayrshire went behind when Tommy McInally lost to Steven Machin and in another pivotal moment, Keith Hamilton, who was one ahead with three holes to play, saw his opponent Graeme McDougall  hole in one at the sixteenth to level the tie on his way to a one hole victory.

The Ayrshire cause was further dented with George Robertson being defeated 9 & 8, but wins from Steven Murray and Stuart Robin maintained hopes of a home win, taking the match score to 4 - 3 in Glasgow's favour. Despite a good win in the final tie by Steven Stamper, defeats for John Haggarty and Gary Bryden gave a final score of 6 - 4 to the visitors and  left Ayrshire's hopes apparently in tatters for another year.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) beat James Hendrick (Pollock) by 3 & 2
Steven McEwan (Loudoun) lost to Jamie Savage (Cawder) by 1 hole
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) lost to Steven Machin (Cowglen) by 3 & 2
Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Graeme McDougall (Bishopbriggs) by 1 hole
Steven Murray (Troon Welbeck) beat Allan Waugh (Cowglen) by 1 hole
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Nicholas) beat David Curtis (Cathkin Braes) by 5 & 3
George Robertson (Irvine Ravenspark) lost to Stuart Black (Cathcart Castle) by 9 & 8
John Haggarty (Loudoun) lost to Martin Lamb (Cawder) by 4 & 3
Gary Bryden (Girvan) lost to John McDonald (Cowglen) by 3 & 2
Steven Stamper (Turnberry) beat Callum McLean (Cowglen) by 5 & 4

AYRSHIRE    4    GLASGOW    6

The A team conclude their fixtures next Sunday, 21st October, with the re arranged home match with Renfrewshire at Ayr Belleisle.

In the corresponding youths match at Haggs Castle, Ayrshire needed a win to maintain hopes of taking the league title, depending on other results. With a number of matches having been postponed it will be a few weeks before matches will be completed, although this was Ayrshire's last scheduled fixture.

Euan Walker led the Ayrshire cause, with a large winning margin to put the first point on the board but the match was proving to be a close one, Ayrshire edging one ahead at the halfway stage with a 3 - 2 lead. Ayrshire did however assert their authority over the closing matches, taking 3.5 of the remaining 5 points available to record a 6.5 - 3.5 victory. Ayrshire Youths must now await the result of other matches to see if their efforts were enough to secure the league title.

Match details (Glasgow names first) :-

Blair Dalgleish (Paisley)  lost to Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 8 & 7

Blair Cooper (Haggs Castle) beat Ciar Porciani (Ayr Belleisle) by 1 hole

Jack Brown (Cathcart Castle) lost to Greg Vernon (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 2 & 1

Stuart Campbell (Williamwood) beat Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 2 & 1

Paul Loughlin (Cawder) lost to Alasdair Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) by 3 & 2

Kevin Kilroy (Cawder) halved with Jack McCluskey (Ayr Belliesle)

Glen Burrett (Haggs Castle) lost to Gary Morrison (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3 & 2

Blair Crabb (Williamwood) beat Jordan Fraser (Ayr Belleisle) by 3 & 2

Martin McKenna (Cathcart Castle) lost to Darryl Lynch (|Ayr Belleisle) by 5 & 3

Graeme Young (Williamwood) lost to Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 5 & 4

GLASGOW YOUTHS   3.5    AYRSHIRE YOUTHS    6.5