Scottish Cricket: Ayr rely on Simpson (18 Aug 1998)

18 August 1998

Scottish Cricket: Ayr rely on Simpson

By Keith Graham

AYR and Aberdeenshire all but secured their First Division status for next season from Conference C at the weekend. Ayr amassed 22 points from their draw at Edinburgh Accies and Aberdeenshire took a maximum haul against Arbroath.

Ayr's performance was the more remarkable as, for once, professional Kevin Roberts failed to make an impact, being runless and wicketless. Alan Simpson, however, was in prime form, stroking 90 and, with Neil McCrossan, putting on a three-figure opening stand. Accies crawled to a draw.

Aberdeenshire also had an opener, Garth Nottle, who hit 90, to thank for their seven-wicket victory over Arbroath. Freuchie advanced their First Division cause too, climbing into fourth place after their two-wicket win over Uddingston.

In Conference A, Heriot's and West Lothian further confirmed their First Division destination with victories over GHK and Kelburne although the Edinburgh side were made to sweat after being bowled out for 106. Happily for them, Shahid Aslam took four for 14 in a 33-run win. The feature of West Lothian's win over Kelburne was a century from Howard Sydney-Wilmot.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)