A SUPERLATIVE batting display helped Prestwick overcome relegation-threatened Greenock on Saturday to take a step closer towards winning the Western Premier Division title.

Skipper Shazad Rafiq won the toss at a sunny Oval and elected to bat.

The hosts got off to a disappointing start when the captain was out for five and all-rounder Sachin Chaudhary was bowled for a duck.

However the home side rallied and opener Fassail Jawad chipped in with an excellent 45.

Former skipper Fraser Macdonald was in great form and put on a partnership of 101 for the fifth wicket with Tom Fleet.

Macdonald was run out for 71 and Fleet was run out for 56 with their partnership the foundation for a fine innings.

Another fine performance came from Ross Patterson, who was run out for 26 as the home side ended their innings on 242-8 from 50 overs.

The visitors quickly came under pressure from a strong Prestwick bowling attack and the openers made just 43 between them.

Bowler Mitchell Rao was in devastating form, taking five for 24 in a devastating spell, while Gavin Pitt took two wickets and Chaudhary, Rafiq and Willie Rowan one apiece as the visitors were all out for 193, giving Prestwick a 49-run victory.

Defeat on Saturday away to Clydesdale ended Ayr’s slim hope of Western Union glory. In a match reduced to 45 overs after early morning rain, Ayr batted first and struggled to 153-9, Andi McElnea continuing his good run of form to top score with 44. In reply Clydesdale were never in any real trouble despite Scott McElnea claiming the early wicket of the dangerous Awais for one, reaching their target without losing any further wickets.

There was also disappointment for the Cambusdoon XI, as fell short in their run chase against league leaders Titwood. The visitors posted 214-6 in their 50 overs with Matthew Baines and Pushkar Bhandari each taking 3 wickets. The Cambusdoon innings did not get off to the best start losing both openers early and with only Niall McCrossin (65no) making a significant contribution as they were bowled out for 175.

The Development XI recorded a fine victory away to East Kilbride in the Evening League on Tuesday. Batting first they posted a challenging total of 137-4, Callum Rodger top scoring with 77 and Matthew Baines (30) providing the main support. They then bowled out their hosts for 118 with two wickets each for Harry Boyd, Callum Rodger and Johnny Baines. On Sunday, a very youthful team fell to a narrow defeat at home to Victoria, who set them an imposing target after being bowled out for 262, Matthew Baines taking 5-40 and Harry Boyd 3-63. While always behind the run rate the young team put up a great effort in their run chase, with a century stand between Matthew Baines (43) and big brother Johnny (51), 30 from Richie Simpson and a quickfire 43 from Harry Boyd as they finished on 241-9.

This week sees Ayr at home to East Kilbride on Ladies Day, while the Cambusdoon XI travel to Glasgow to play Partick.