THE Ayrshire Boys and Youths team had a successful opening to their season on March 26 at Troon Lochgreen when they retained the Centenary Trophy in their annual match against the South Of Scotland.

They enjoyed a comfortable 13-5 victory against the visitors.

A superb performance in the morning foursomes saw Ayrshire take all six ties to establish a 6-0 lead going into the afternoon singles.

The result of the morning ties were:

Under-16's: Sean Addie (Ayr Belleisle) and John McCracken (Irvine) beat Callum McMillan (Kirkcudbright) and Taylor Kerr (Sanquhar) by 5 & 4; Ben Fleming (Troon Welbeck) and Ross McDonald (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Glen Irvine (Dumfries and County) and Lewis Cheetham (Dumfries and Galloway) by 1 hole.

Under-18's: Jack Broun (Ayr Belleisle) and Kyle Brown (Turnberry) beat Nathan Watson (Kirkcudbright) and Finlay Copeland (Dumfries & Galloway) by 5 & 4

Euan Ferguson (Turnberry) and Ewan Milligan (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat William Squires (Kirkcudbright) and Iain Rae (Dalbeattie) by 4 & 2

Under-23's: Callum Irving (Ayr Belleisle) & Greg Telfer (Prestwick St Cuthbert) beat Rory Brunton (Dumfries and County) & Alex Long (New Galloway) by 2 &1

Shaun Hedger (West Kilbride) and Sandy Walker (Kilmarnock Barassie) beat Callan Harkness (Lochmaben) and Dylan Cairnie (Dumfries and County) by 1 hole.

Needing 9 1/2 points from the 12 singles to win the trophy, Ayrshire picked up 1 and 1 1/2 points from the opening two ties to set up the match nicely and the hosts ran out winners by 7-5 in the singles to win the trophy for 2017 with an a 13-5 overall win.

The results of the afternoon ties were, as follows:

Under-16's - Sean Addie halved with Taylor Kerr; Ben Fleming beat Callum McMillan by 1 hole; John McCracken lost to Lewis Cheetham by 6 & 4; Ross McDonald lost to Glen Irvine by 6 & 5

Under-18's - Jack Broun beat Nathan Watson by 3 & 2; Euan Ferguson beat William Squires by 5 & 4; Kyle Brown lost to Iain Rae by 1 hole; Ewan Milligan halved with Findlay Copeland.

Under-23's - Callum Irving beat Rory Brunton by 3 & 2; Greg Telfer beat Alex Long by 4 &3; Shaun Hedger beat Callan Harkness by 7& 5; Sandy Walker lost to Dylan Cairnie by 2 holes.

Both team enjoyed the facilities in the newly refurbished municipal clubhouse at Troon and shared an enjoyable meal at the end of the match.