WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - A team edge out Lanarkshire at West Kilbride but no joy for Youths at Bothwell Castle

In week three of the 2016 West Of Scotland Inter County Leagues programme, there was mixed fortunes once again for the Ayrshire teams.

The A Team were at home to Lanarkshire with the match being played at West Kilbride.

The Prestwick St Cuthbert dou of Steven Wallace and Stuart Robin put the first two points on the board with comfortable victories in their ties but final green defeats for Craig Hamilton and Michael Smyth levelled the score John Shanks put Ayrshire ahead with a 3 & 2 win and Jim Johnstone secured what would be a crucial half match in his tie.

A 3 & 2 defeat for Steven Stamper left the match ties at 3.5 - 3.5 with just Charlie Macneal's anchor tie left on the course and the Prestwick player edged a victory by the narrowest of margins to secure a 4.5 - 3.5 win for the home side.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) lost to Craig Ross (Kirkhill) by 1 hole
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Graham Rankin (Drumpellier) by 4 & 3
Michael Smyth (Royal Troon) lost to Steven Rennie (Drumpellier) by 1 hole
Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Kenny Gallacher (East Kilbride) by 6 & 5
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Ross Hinshelwood (East KIlbride) by 3 & 2
Jim Johnstone (Ayr Belleisle) halved with Dominic Dougan (Airdrie)
Steven Stamper (Girvan) lost to Stewart Henderson (Hamilton) by 3 & 2
Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) beat Fraser Kane (Kirkhill) by 1 hole

AYRSHIRE    4.5   LANARKSHIRE   3.5

The corresponding youths match was subject to a late venue change at Bothwell Castle GC, and the Ayrshire team suffered defeat at the hands of their hosts by 5 - 3.

Shaun Hedger halved the lead match but Sandy Walker, Daryl Lynch and Louis Murray all lost their ties to give Lanarkshire a good early advantage and an 8 & 7 defeat for Murray McCrone left Ayrshire unable to secure even a draw in the match.

Robbie Fitzpatrick halved his tie and wins for Ally Berry and Alan Watson gave a final score of 5 - 3 to Lanarkshire.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first) :-

Lewis Irvine (Kirkhill) halved with Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride)
John Woodhouse (East Kibride) beat Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 3 & 2
Greg Dalziel (Airdrie) beat Daryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) by 2 & 1
Johnathan Torrance (Drumpellier) beat Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) by 3 & 2
Mitchell Ronald (East Kilbride) halved with Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine)
Jack McMorris (East Kilbride) lost to Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) by 4 & 3
David Fair (Hamilton) beat Murray McCrone (Troon Welbeck) by 8 & 7
Kevin McVicar (East Kilbride) lost to Alan Watson (Ballochmyle) by 2 & 1

LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS 5   AYRSHIRE YOUTHS    3


Next Sunday the Ayrshire team will play Renfrewshire at Irvine GC whilst the youths team head to Erskine, for the corresponding youths fixture.