WEST OF SCOTLAND INTER COUNTY LEAGUES - Ayrshire held to a draw at Kilmarnock Barassie whilst the youth team lose at Airdrie

The Ayrshire county team opened their defence of the West Of Scotland Inter County League title on Sunday 16^th September 2018, with a 4 –4 draw with Lanarkshire at Kilmarnock (Barassie).

The match was played in extremely windy conditions which made play difficult for both teams.

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie), despite a busy schedule recently, led the Ayrshire team having played for Scotland in the previous 2 weeks in the Eisenhower Trophy and Home Internationals, and got the home side off to a great start with a 4&3 victory.

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) extended the home advantage to 2 – 0 with a 3&2 win and Jack Broun added another half point in his tie with Robert Jenkins.

Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost out on the final green whilst Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) staged a superb fightback from 4 down with 7 to play to secure a vital half match and make the match score 3 – 2 to AYrhsire.

John Shanks (Irvine) ensured a draw at least with a 2 & 1 win in is tie but with defeats for Scott brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) and Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) in the final two ties, Ayrshire just failed to gain the further half point needed for overall victory.

Match details (Ayrshire names first):-

Euan Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Dominic Douglas (Drumpellier) by 4&3 

Craig Hamilton (Ballochmyle) beat Grant Nisbet (Strathaven) by 3&2 

Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) halved with Robert Jenkins (Crow Wood) 

Keith Hamilton (Ayr Belleisle) lost to Alan Laird (Strathaven) by 1 hole 

Malcolm Pennycott (Whiting Bay) halved with Scott McPherson (Bothwell Castle)

John Shanks (Irvine) beat Tommy Boyd (Bothwell Castle) by 2&1 

Scott Brown (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Andrew Steven (Easter Moffat) by 3&1 

Steven Wallace (Prestwick St Cuthbert) lost to Garry McLetchie (Lanark) by 5&4

AYRSHIRE   4   LANARKSHIRE   4

The next match in the series is against Renfrewshire at Western Gailes on Sunday 23^rd September.

In the corresponding youths match at Airdrie Golf Club, Ayrshire lost out by 6 – 2 to their hosts.

The Ayrshire cause had an early setback when a late call off from the team resulted in the concession of one of the eight ties.

Blair Morton (Royal Troon) got Ayrshire off to a good start with a 2&1 win in the lead tie and a further point from Aiden Long (Ayr Belleisle) partly offset defeats for Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie), Glen Wilson (Ayr Belleisle) and Jordan Murray (Rowallan Castle), which left Lanarkshire leading 4 – 2 with two ties remaining on the course.

Unfortunately for the Ayrshire team, both the remaining ties were lost on the final green, to give Lanarkshire a 6 – 2 win overall.

Match details (Lanarkshire names first):- 

Callum Connacher (Wishaw) lost to Blair Morton (Royal Troon)  by 2&1
Graham Greer (Carluke) beat Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) by 4&3
Greg Andrews (East Kilbride) lost to Aiden Long (Ayr Belliesle) by 3&2

Kieran McAlister (Colville Park) beat Daryl Lynch (Ayr Belliesle) by 1 hole
John Woodhouse (East Kilbride) beat Callum Irving (Ayr Belliesle) by 1 hole
Alan Woodhouse (East Kilbride) beat Glen Wilson (Ayr Dalmilling) by 3&2
Kieran McVicar (East Kilbride) beat Jordan Murray (Rowallan Castle) by 3&2
Ayrshire lost tie number 8 by a walkover

LANARKSHIRE YOUTHS  6     AYRSHIRE YOUTHS    2

In the second match of the series, on Sunday 23^rd September, Ayrshire youths travel to meet Renfrewshire youths at Gourock.