PRESTWICK are the new Western Premier leaders after another day of twists and turns in the most intriguing title race for years.

Their hard-fought win at Kelburne, coupled with Uddingston losing to Greenock, means Shahzad Rafiq’s side are in pole position as the second half of the season gets into swing.

And, just to add a little extra interest, Prestwick’s closest challengers are derby rivals Ayr who are a mere 00.38% behind.

“It’s a great feeling to be top and even more special that it’s Ayr who are up there with us,” said Rafiq.

“However, as much as I’m happy to be top, it’s the quality of the cricket we are playing which is most pleasing.

“There has been a period of more than a decade when the club has stagnated but now we are playing with real intensity and intelligence.

“We try to play attacking cricket but there are also times when you need to be patient.”

One such time arrived early in proceedings at Whitehaugh when Prestwick, having been sent in to bat in bowler-friendly conditions, found themselves struggling on 28-3.

A crucial partnership of 60 ensued between Sachin Chaudry and Fraser Macdonald to put the visitors on course for a competitive total.

While Chaudry top-scored with 57, skipper Rafiq placed as much importance on Macdonald’s painstaking 16.

He added: “Fraser faced 67 balls for his runs and his effort was vital in putting us into a good position.

“We were confident we could go on and get 200 which would have been a great effort on that wicket.”

In the event rain intervened and Prestwick’s innings was brought to a halt on 136-5 from 41.3 overs before Kelburne were set a revised target of 125 from 25 overs.

Chaudry took centre stage with an astonishing bowling performance that yielded six wickets for just five runs as the Paisley team were bundled out for 49.

Rafiq added: “I’m happy to have that game out of the way with a win because I think teams will struggle here against an attack I rate one of the best in the league.

“There are still at least five teams who will feel they can win the league so every game is important now.”

Chaudry was not the only bowler in the division to return a six-wicket haul, the feat being matched by Ayr’s Shujaa Khan whose 6-34 helped restrict Dumfries to 215 at Nunholm.

The league’s most prolific opening pair – Neil Smith and Michael Papps- then staged their third century partnership of the campaign to put the issue beyond doubt.

Smith was the only wicket to fall – for 92 – but Papps went on to finish unbeaten on 97 as Ayr won with twelve overs to spare.

Assessing his team’s title prospects, skipper Andi McElnea said: “It's going to be tight all season.

“July is a big month for us and if we can do well then we will have a chance to push for the title come August.”

Uddingston will require to re-group quickly after their five-wicket defeat to Greenock at Bothwell Castle Policies.

A sub-standard batting display saw them dismissed for just 103 as Aussie due Juien Hulbert and Kyle Scrimegour shared seven wickets.

Scrimegour’s 32no then guided Greenock to their best win since returning to the top flight.

Champions Clydesdale are back on the fringes of the title race following a crushing nine-wicket win at East Kilbride while Ferguslie and Poloc remain in the picture though the pair were frustrated by rain at Meikleriggs.