AYR started off their Western Union Premier Division campaign with a 36 run victory at home to Dumfries on Saturday.

Put in to bat by the visitors, the home side made a solid start with opener, professional Michael Papps and Neil Smith putting on 48 for the first wicket before both fell in successive overs followed quickly by Matt Crawshaw. It was left to captain and vice-captain Andi McElnea and Shujja Khan to rebuild the innings putting on 82 before McElnea fell seven short of his half century. Khan continued on, stroking 10 boundaries on his way to making 79. A late onslaught by the middle order saw 100 runs coming of the last 10 overs, with good contributions from Michael Miller (20), Scott McElnea (23no) and Mark Morrison (16no) to see the innings finish on 258-6.

Dumfries were looking good in their reply at 107-1, before the Ayr spinners struck, Callum Leck removing Bobby McBride (41) and Michael Papps snaring Josh Forsyth (50). They made a slight revival through Niall Alexander (60) and captain Stuart Corbett-Byers (25), but the McElnea brothers returned to mop up the tail as the visitors were bowled all out for 222.

There was also success for the Cambusdoon XI as they beat Nunholm by three wickets.

The hosts batted first and were bowled out for 231, Douglas Johnstone taking 4-59 and Callum Henderson 3-55. The Cambusdoon reply did not get off to the best of starts as they lost both openers early, before the spin twins Johnstone (69) and Henderson (29) got the innings going. When they departed Richie Borland (35) kept the momentum going before Harry Boyd (28no) scored 10 runs off 11 balls to see them over the winning line.

Match Sponsor was Sam Hornell

Prestwick on Saturday enjoyed a narrow victory against Kelburne in another Premier Division game.

The visitors batted first and were 170 all out, Mitchell Rao taking 4-39 and Sachin Chaudhary taking 4-30

In reply Irvine were 174 for 9 in a very tight encounter. Former skipper Gavin Pitt and Ross Paterson put on 45 for the last wicket, the latter scoring 31 as they secured a one-wicket win with five overs to spare.

This weekend sees Ayr at home again when they play Ferguslie on Saturday in the Western Union and on Sunday Uddingston are the visitors in the Western Union Cup, while the Cambusdoon XI are away to Meikleriggs.

Prestwick on Saturday host Dumfries.