EMOTIONAL Ferguslie players dedicated Saturday’s superb victory over Ayr to the memory of former colleague Sandy Strang.

A minute’s silence was observed at Cambusdoon and other grounds around the country following the death of the former Ferguslie and Clydesdale player who also had stints with Poloc and Kelburne.

And the Meikleriggs men produced the sort of gutsy display which would have delighted their old team-mate.

Up against it after Neil Smith’s accomplished 131 helped Ayr post 241, Ferguslie suffered a series of early blows when first Gregor Preston-Jones was forced off with severe cramp before James Holt and Riyaad Henry were dismissed in quick succession.

However, Preston-Jones was able to return and his 97-run partnership with Michael English put the Paisley side firmly on course.

Preston-Jones eventually departed for a battling 54 but English took charge to trump his Western Warriors colleague Smith with the innings of the day.

The Scotland prospect hit the ball to all corners, carrying his bat for a match-winning 134no as Ferguslie completed victory with 3.3 overs to spare.

English had also claimed the key wicket of New Zealander Michael Papps but Haroon Tahir was the standout bowler, his five wickets including an hat-trick.

Preston-Jones revealed: “Michael told me he had Sandy out there with him which makes it a very special one for him.

“It was an emotional build-up and we are all so happy that we got the win in Sandy’s name. The boys want to mention that all of the tributes to Sandy have been greatly appreciated and helped us get over the line today.

“Michael's knock was very good, chance-less, and won us the game. My cramp was terrible but I was able to go back out there and built a great partnership with Michael which took the game away from Ayr.

“Now we hope we can build on this win and look forward to more great team performances.”

Elsewhere, Richie Berrington produced another scintillating display as champions Clydesdale over-powered Kelburne at Titwood.

The Scotland all-rounder first claimed five wickets as the Paisley side were dismissed for 174 despite a solid half-century from Brad Joynt.

Berrington, who scored an unbeaten century on the opening day of the season, might have done so again had Dale been chasing a more substantial total.

In the event, he raced to 74no from only 52 deliveries as the champions won by six wickets and with almost half their overs un-used.

Clydesdale have neighbours Poloc for company at the top of the table after the Shawholm men held their nerve to beat Uddingston by just six runs.

Jurie Snyman (51) and Craig Young (46) were ‘Loc’s main scorers in a total of 228-9 before Ross Lyons kept the visitors in contention with a half-century.

However, Hamza Tahir’s 3-27 proved crucial.

Prestwick are the only other side boasting back-to-back wins after a four-wicket success against Dumfries at the Henry Thow Oval.

Chasing 195 after Tom McBride had hit 61 for Dumfries, Scott Beveridge made it tough for the hosts with 4-35 but Fraser Macdonald stroked 50 before Tom Fleet completed the run-chase with 44no.

Like Dumfries, Greenock are still searching for a first win after Moneeb Iqbal’s controlled 84no carried East Kilbride to a five-wicket success at Torrance House.

Meanwhile, Torrance House was also the scene as Michael English yesterday completed a memorable weekend by smashing his second century in twenty-four hours.

The Ferguslie opener made 126 from only 93 balls in his team’s WD40 Cup clash with East Kilbride.

English stroked thirteen boundaries and three maximums and was joined in a record-breaking opening stand of 248 by Riyaad Henry who hit his maiden century for the Paisley club with 106 from 97 balls.

Their partnership paved the way for Ferguslie to post a mammoth 347-7, sufficient to ensure an emphatic win.