WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Defeat for youths but senior team remain on course for title defence

Ayrshire faced Renfrewshire on the penultimate weekend of the West Of Scotland Inter County Championships on Sunday 9th October, with the youths team losing away from home and the A team defeating their visitors in the corresponding match at home.

The youths traveled to Erskine to play the Renfrewshire youths team but went down by 5.5 ties to 2.5.

Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) took the lead tie but defeats in the next three ties for Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert), Jack Thomas (Irvine) and Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) put Ayrshire on the back foot.

A crushing win by 7 & 7 by sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie)  and a half match gained by Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine) revived Ayrshire hopes but defeats in the final two ties for Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) and Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) sealed the win for the hosts.

Match details (Renfrewshire names first) :-

Stuart Cameron (Renfrew) lost to Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 1 hole
Graham Barr (Gleddoch) beat Craig Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) by 3 & 2
Jack Curry (Greenock) beat Jack Thomas (Irvine) by 3 & 2
Stuart Thomas (Erskine) beat Darryl Lynch (Ayr Belleisle) by 3 & 1
Furhan Iqbal (Erskine) lost to Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 7 & 6
Callum Taggart |(Eastwood) halved with Robbie Fitzpatrick (Irvine)
Sean Burns (Caldwell) beat Louis Murray (Troon Welbeck) by 3 & 2
Euan English (Erskine) beat Ally Berry (Irvine Ravenspark) by 2 holes

RENFREWSHIRE YOUTHS  5.5  AYRSHIRE YOUTHS  2.5

In the corresponding A team match at Irvine GC Ayrshire needed a win to maintain any hope of retaining the championship title won last year.

Half matches from Stuart Robin and Craig Hamilton and a defeat for Keith Hamilton in the opening three ties left Ayrshire trailing early on, but wins by John Shanks, Tommy McInally, Jim Johnston and Malcolm Pennycott in the next four ties gave Ayrshire the required win in the match. In the final tie on the course, Charlie Macneal lost on the final green to make the match score 5 - 3 in favour of Ayrshire.

Match details (Ayrshire names first) :-

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) halved with Craig Pirie (Renfrew)
Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Andrew Farmer (Kilmacolm) by 5 & 4
Stuart Robin (Prestwick St Cuthbert) halved with Stewart Watt (Old Ranfurly)
John Shanks (Irvine) beat Craig Thomson (Paisley) by 3 & 2
Tommy McInally (Loudoun) beat Chris Conroy (Paisley) by 4 & 3
Jim Johnston (Ayr Belleisle) beat David Dickson (Bonnyton) by 3 & 2
Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) beat Paul Dorrian (Greenock) by 3 & 1
Charlie Macneal (Prestwick) lost to David Sibbald (Bonnyton) by 1 hole

AYRSHIRE  A    5    RENFREWSHIRE   A     3

Following the match news filtered through that Stirlingshire had been defeated at home by Dumbartonshire in a top of the table clash, which leaved Ayrshire's match against Dumbartonshire at Cardross next Sunday, 16th october, as a winner takes all championship showdown.

The youths team close their 2016 campaign against Dumbartonshire youths next weekend at Troon Darley.