AYR Masters' shock final second win away at Paisley BC meant an unexpected place in the SLBA Division Four crossover games - where as runners-up of Section A, they had to face winners of section B in a two-leg game to see who will go into the two-leg final for the league title.

With game postponements all over Scotland, Glasgow City were able to safely get out the residential areas and onto the trunk roads and make it down to Ayr.

The home side, though were shorthanded with guard Iain Leitch stuck in Bristol due to the airport there being shut and veteran Tom Campbell picking up an injury in midweek training and three others ruled out with season ending injuries. The eight present though gave City an early scare with strong defence limiting them to poor shot choices. At the other end though, for the first time this season, Ayr came up against a team that was taller and stronger than them and struggled to find a direct route to the hoop.

Glasgow City, once they found they got used to the Kyle court hit a number of mid-range and three-point shots to stretch away to a 15-point lead, with only Stephen Milroy consistently getting good looks at the basket for the Ayr side. The home team introduced U16 men player Paul Gibbons and he hit an early three that seemed to give him a confidence boost and helped him go on to an impressive game-high 18 points against much older players. Inside for Ayr Chris Morrison and Danny Gibbons had few looks but when they did they made the most of them and kept the Ayr side in touch.

City though came into the tie as favourites and a strong closing five minutes with the Masters side fading emphasised that as they stretched the lead to what looks to be a comfortable margin to take into the second leg. Full-time: Ayr Masters 53 Ayr Storm 89.

Ayr will travel to Glasgow looking to make the second leg closer, but realistically are heading for the third/fourth place game and not the first/second place final.

Of the court, the club's fundraising committee were pleased to see another local company wanting to help out with keeping basketball affordable for the youth of South Ayrshire.

Coach Craig Tindle, who also leads the club's fundraising group, went along to the Ayr office of chartered accountants William Duncan with players Jackson Tindle and Fraser Reid (U14 boys) and Mathew Keegan (U16 men) to receive a sponsorship donation on behalf of the company from partner Stephen Bargh. This generous support from local companies helps the club keep costs of attending affordable for all while also replacing training equipment and playing kits.