INSPIRED Prestwick Cricket Club celebrated a second straight win at Fortress Cambusdoon against derby rivals Ayr on Saturday.

However skipper Shahzad Rafiq is playing down title talk as the men from the Henry Thow Oval aim to defend the Western Premier Division crown they won for the first time last year.

Apart from the honour of victory - they were triumphant by four wickets - the winners were presented with the Masterton-Scott Memorial Trophy, in memory of former Ayr 1st XI player Ian Masterton and David Scott, a lifetime member at Ayr. There was also a Man of the Match accolade handed out to visiting player Fraser Macdonald, in memory of Australian professional Grant Stanley, who played for both clubs.

Rafiq said: "It was good to win the Memorial Trophy, as we had lost the previous two. I still don't think we are playing our best cricket, but week by week we are getting stronger. Normally this is a fortress for Ayr and that's probably why it is more satisfying and it's always nice to win against your old club. I felt Fraser Macdonald anchored our innings really well and batted beautifully."

Prestwick are on 84 per cent, 16 per cent adrift of leaders Ferguslie and four per cent clear of weekend opponents Clydesdale.

Asked his aim, the skipper said: "I'm not looking too far ahead until we get to August. In the first half of the season we have to try and get into a good position and then we can look at things in August. We are at Clydesdale and will be looking to win but we have very tough games coming up against Uddingston and Ferguslie."

Meanwhile Ayr professional Kenroy Peters praised his team despite the result and said: "The boys have to be commended for going out with the intention of fighting to the end. The fight that we displayed shows a team that is improving each game. In the first game we lost terribly and now we are getting closer to winning games. Hopefully things will improve in the near future. Each game we are getting better and better. We are a young squad and everyone stepped up. Prestwick are a very good team.

"This is transition period for Ayr Cricket Club and we are looking to finish in mid-table."

Match Report

Top drawer performances from former skipper Fraser Macdonald and Sachin Chaudhary paved the way for victory at the sun-soaked Alloway ground, which attracted a sizeable crowd.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field on what was a testing wicket.

Ayr batted first and got off to a poor start, opening bowler Ross Patterson making an impact with two early wickets, with Willie Rowan and Sachin Chaudhary also chipping in.

However home West Indian professional Kenroy Peters then steadied the ship with a very useful knock before being bowled for 46 by Gavin Pitt. Vice-captain Matthew McClymont rallied with 21 before being dismissed for 21 by Scotland international Mitchell Rao.

Chaudhary finished with 3-45, Patterson picked up 2-30 and Craig Morrison, Willie Rowan, Gavin Pitt, Mitchell Rao and Jacob Steber all took one apiece as Ayr ended their innings on 130 all out. Macdonald took three catches in a great fielding display.

Prestwick got off to a poor start when skipper Shahzad Rafiq was dismissed for duck off the bowling of Peters.

However MacDonald then stepped in to the crease and hit an excellent 64 before being bowled by Anwar Hafeez.

Steber then just made eight before being bowled by Scott McElnea and Chaudhary went for one. However Rao fired 26 as the visitors ended their innings on 131-6, giving Rafiq's team a four-wicket win.