WESTERN Premier leaders Ferguslie continued their impressive start to the campaign as a Michael English century helped them to victory over Greenock at Meikleriggs.

Opening the batting, Scotland prospect English stroked a superb 119 as the Paisley side rattled-up 275-8.

His second-wicket stand of 150 with Riyaad Henry, who hit 72, was crucial against a Greenock attack who stuck to their task, none more so than Julian Hulbert who claimed 4-55.

In reply, the visitors were similarly dogged with the bat before ending 50 runs short.

Uddingston are hot on Ferguslie’s heels after a hard-fought win at Dumfries where Ross Lyons and Bryan Clarke hit half-centuries as the visitors posted 201-7.

Uddy’s slow bowlers applied the squeeze on a normally free-scoring Dumfries who were dismissed for 147.

Ayr remain firmly in contention near the top of the table but they were forced to do it the hard way at East Kilbride.

Sent in to bat, the Alloway troops lost their two leading run scorers, Neil Smith and Michael Papps, cheaply as Kess Sajjad struck a double blow.

Wickets continued to fall but a 69-run stand for the fifth wicket between Matthew Crawshaw and Michael Miller, who both hit 37, put Ayr on course for a challenging 178-8.

Skipper Andi McElnea then claimed 5-21 to dismiss East Kilbride for 107.

Kelburne remain winless after a heavy eight-wicket defeat to Poloc at Whitehaugh.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl in helpful conditions, Poloc were soon on top.

Two wickets from Jurie Snyman helped reduce Kelburne to 18-3 before a 66-run stand between Omer Hussain and Bradley Joynt offered home hope.

However, when South African Joynt was dismissed by teenager Ahmed-Raza Hanif for 43, the home side quickly subsided to 121 all out, another youngster Lewis James cleaning up with 3-13.

Owais Shah led the run-chase with a composed 57no while Louis Geldenhuys made 44.

Clydesdale’s hopes of a successful title defence already appear to be over after they fell to a fourth defeat of the season, this time against Prestwick at Titwood.