AYRSHIRE SCRATCH LEAGUES - Title races hot up whilst Prestwick St Cuthbert and Rowallan Castle are relegated from respective leagues.

With all league matches due to be completed by Friday the 19^th of August, several recent results have clarified the positions in Divisions 1 & 2 of the Ayrshire Scratch Leagues.

In DIVISION 1, a home defeat by Royal Troon by 4.5 – 1.5 confirmed Prestwick St Cuthbert’s relegation from the top flight since the present format was first introduced in 2011.

The win also propelled Royal Troon back into top spot in the division after Largs were defeated 4.5 – 1.5 in their latest fixture at Loudoun.

If Loudoun secure a draw or better in their final fixture at home to Prestwick St Cuthbert on Friday the 19^th of August, they will avoid the relegation play off place, at the expense of Kilmarnock Barassie, whilst on the same date Irvine host Royal Troon in a title showdown match at Bogside.

Present positions in Division 1 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Royal Troon	9	6	1	2	32	22	10	26
Irvine	8	6	0	2	28.5	19.5	9	24
Largs	10	5	0	5	33	27	6	20
Kilmarnock Barassie	10	4	1	5	31.5	28.5	3	18
Loudoun	9	4	1	4	23.5	30.5	-7	18
Prestwick St Cuthbert	8	0	1	7	13.5	34.5	-21	2

In DIVISION 2, Turnberry moved into pole position in the title race with home wins by 5 – 1 and 4.5 – 1.5 over Ballochmyle and West Kilbride respectively in their final two fixtures of the campaign.

Ballochmyle’s recent wins over Rowallan Castle by 4 – 2 away and 6 – 0 at home, leaves them needing to win their final fixture at home to West Kilbride on Friday the 19^th of August to take the Division 2 title ahead of Turnberry, though West Kilbride will also be looking for a result to avoid the relegation play off place.

The recent defeats to Ballochmyle confirmed Rowallan castle’s relegation to Division 3 next season.

Present positions in Division 2 are:-

	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	PTS
Turnberry	10	6	2	2	37	23	14	28
Ballochmyle	9	6	1	2	32.5	21.5	11	26
Troon Portland	10	3	4	3	27.5	32.5	-5	20
Caprington	10	4	1	5	30.5	29.5	1	18
West Kilbride	9	4	1	4	27.5	26.5	1	18
Rowallan Castle	10	1	1	8	19	41	-22	6

In the play off for the DIVISION 3 title,, Ardeer hosted Ayr Belleisle recently in the first leg, and after a 3 – 3 draw honours are even going into the second leg, which is scheduled to take place at Ayr Belleisle on Friday the 19^th of August.