GREENOCK’s new generation of cricket stars made their mark as the Glenpark side carved out an impressive win over Ayr on Saturday.
Teenagers Harry Briggs and Louis Ware, the latter a Scotland U17 cap, showed their class to help the top flight new boys record a second straight win.
And, while Greenock had rather limped to a one-wicket victory at Kelburne a week earlier, here they cruised to a 38-run success.
Briggs, showing maturity beyond his years, remained calm while a succession of team-mates departed cheaply to score a defiant and crucial 58.
His effort helped Greenock post 193-8 from their fifty overs as the storms which affected the rest of the card skirted around Glenpark.
However, against the most free-scoring team in the country that total would have been insufficient without an inspired bowling and fielding display.
The home side duly rose to the challenge and none more so than Ware who claimed 3-15 as the visitors lost their way.
Australian Kyle Srimegour weighed-in with 3-18 while the only resistance was offered by Shujaa Khan whose 35 was in vein as Ayr succumbed for 155 at the start of the 42nd over.
Home spokesman Peter Hempsey declared: “It was a good game of cricket and a fine win for the team.
“It’s very pleasing to see the young players make significant contributions. Both Harry and Louis have been at the club for years and have played in our junior sides and the 2nd XI.
“There are a number of other good young players coming through the juniors.”
If this result was a setback for Ayr, it was a day to remember for their local rivals Prestwick who ended the day on top of the table after victory over Poloc.
In a game frustratingly punctuated by rain interruptions at Shawholm, Poloc made a promising start only to lose their way as the Prestwick bowlers stuck to their task.
Owais Shah and the consistent Craig Young helped the home side reach 51-1 before Gavin Pitt picked up his second wicket to remove the former for 35.
Pitt quickly dismissed Jurie Snyman to complete figures of 3-23 before Sachin Chaudhary got in on the act with 3-22 as Poloc failed to find a meaningful partnership.
Young’s defiant innings came to an end when he was run out for 46 and the hosts soon subsided to 150 all out.
Prestwick’s reply in pursuit of a target which was revised on several occasions was less than convincing but they eventually limped to 77-7 – sufficient to secure victory on DLS.
Ferguslie are just behind the leaders following victory over East Kilbride at Meikleriggs.
In another rain-affected encounter Riyaad Henry was the Paisley side’s star performer with 70 runs and four wickets in 46-run triumph.
Scott Beveridge claimed five wickets and Niall Alexander four as Dumfries prevailed by seven wickets to leave their Nunholm visitors Kelburne still seeking a first win of the season.
The match of the day between Uddingston and Clydesdale at Bothwell Castle was abandoned after the home side had reached 65-3.