THERE were tributes around the country prior to the start of play to cricketing stalwart Sandy Strang who died earlier in the week and one of his former clubs, Ferguslie, appeared to be up against it when Neil Smith scored a century for Ayr at Cambusdoon.

With Kiwi Michael Papps contributing a swift half-century, the home side were able to reach 241 all out.

It would have been more but for the hat-trick with which Haroon Tahir brought Ayr’s innings to an abrupt halt.

However, Ferguslie, for whom Strang used to deliver inspiring team-talks when the chips were down, responded in a manner of which their old colleague would have approved.

None more so than Michael English, who moved closer to a senior Scotland call-up, with a superb unbeaten 134 as the Paisley side fashioned an impressive win with three overs to spare.

Richie Berrington was again the main man as champions Clydesdale cruised to a six-wicket win against Kelburne at Titwood.

The Scotland all-rounder first claimed five wickets to restrict the Whitehaugh side to 174 and then raced to 74no to add to last Saturday’s unbeaten 139.

Moneeb Iqbal led East Kilbride to victory over Greenock at Torrance House, the former Scotland man stroking a composed 84no with thirteen boundaries to secure a five-wicket success.

Iqbal had earlier taken the wicket of Greenock’s top scorer Sailesh Prabhu for 41 but youngster Kess Sajjad was EK’s best bowler with 4-30 as the visitors were dismissed for 188.

Meanwhile at Shawholm, Poloc continued their promising start to the campaign with an exciting 6-run win over Uddingston while Prestwick also have two wins from two after Fraser Macdonald’s half-century helped the Ayrshiremen to a four-wicket win over Dumfries at the Henry Thow Oval.