FERGUSLIE yesterday produced a remarkable comeback to keep alive their hopes of Western Premier glory.

The Paisley men headed to Dumfries as firm favourites to secure the win they needed to maintain pressure on leaders Prestwick.

However, a dreadful batting performance, combined with some excellent bowling from the home side who used conditions to their advantage, saw Ferguslie collapse to a miserable 65 all out.

It would have been even worse for the visitors but for a battling 27 from Michael English but the bowlers were on top throughout the match, Ferguslie bouncing back in style to turn the match on its head.

Riyaad Henry led the way, twice taking two wickets in an over as Dumfries were reduced to 34-6, skipper Jamey Carruthers bagging the other two.

There was modest resistance from the home batsman to stall Ferguslie’s victory charge but a double from Greg Cameron and two run-outs clinched a sensational win.
Ferguslie are still in pursuit of Prestwick who retained pole position with victory over Greenock at the Henry Thow Oval.

Fraser Macdonald’s 71 helped the hosts reach 242-8 before Mitchell Rao’s 5-24 ensured that Greenock fell 49 runs short despite Jonathan Hempsey’s battling half-century.

Meanwhile, Uddingston remain third after a victory which virtually sealed Kelburne’s relegation fate at Whitehaugh.

In a typically low-scoring affair at the Paisley venue, Ross Lyons produced the innings of the game with 42 to help Uddingston reach 138 while Ross Maclean claimed 5-20 for the hosts.

Adil Raza responded with 4-46 while Lyons and Amir Gul had three each as Kelburne fell 31 short.

East Kilbride may be joining Kelburne in the drop after their match with Poloc was cancelled at weather-jinxed Torrance House.

Outgoing champions Clydesdale beat Ayr by nine wickets at Titwood thanks largely to a 148-run stand between Paddy Barbour, who top-scored with 79no, and 67no from Con de Lange who had earlier claimed 3-36 as the visitors were restricted to 153-9.