ATHLETICS

A BUSY week for members of Irvine’s jogging and running group Ron’s Runners saw members in London, Stirling, Glasgow, Balquhidder, Arran, Springburn, Culzean and the local Park 5k.

Taking part in the London Marathon Rachel Cox, running for Kidney research raised over £4,000, finishing in a time of 5:47:08 and although not her best time she finished comfortably within her target time.

In her first marathon, Eileen Taylor too was within her hoped for time limit taking 4:56:18.

Both ladies enjoyed the day and reported drawing great encouragement from the crowds especially towards the latter stages. Joanne McGrattan also completed a Marathon, but at Stirling, in the Simply Health Great Scottish run timing 4:50:59 where the crowds were smaller but no less supportive.

In Glasgow James Chalmers took a massive 30 second chunk from his time when within Glasgow Green he boasted 10:32 over a 3k route while in nearby Springburn Park Sylva Mulholland made an effort to regain her shorter race pace recording 22:37 over 5k.

Balquhidder was the destination for Carrol Finlay on the first leg of Rhun Mhor Trilogy which is run in the Hidden Glen and finished with 75:18 on a very wet day which meant encountering shoe stealing mud and knee-deep puddles making for a slow slog up the 850ft hill. Hopefully for the remaining 2 the weather will be better.

On Arran two members lined up for the 10k where Wendy Crosbie was first back posting 59 mins while Karen Hughes took 60 mins over a route though not hilly was over some rather rough ground.

The hilly 10k cross country run at Culzean on Sunday attracted quite a few members.

The event was well organised and well marshalled with all agreeing it is a tough race.

Helen Marshall 55:14 perhaps produced the best run of the day when finishing 2nd over 50 ladies, especially so soon after her Paris Marathon. Some others were Corrie Lotter 51:22, Liz Fairbairn 70:47, Anita Mackie 71:49 Eleanor Hogg and Amanda Lindsay 73:04, Mary Huggan 78:51 Melanie Sinclair and Sharon Crombie 82:45 and Ann Hay 83:02

At the local Park 5k, James Chalmers timed 19:04 to Andy Stewart’s 20:38 then John Owens 24:39. First lady home this week was Pamela Porteous 24:45 just ahead of Corrie Lotter 24:46 followed by Mark Garton 25:15 and Andy McNaughton 26:22.

A splendid effort by Jim Hodgart earned a new best of 28:55, Lynn Shearer was next timing 31:29 with her pal Margaret Craig 31:58 this week.Returning from injury Pauline Steven eased round in 32:34 then Deborah Gilchrist, in an all too rare appearance, did well taking 34:57. Ron’s Runners main hold their main training session on Tuesdays within Eglinton Park and Thursdays at the bottom of the Mall at 6pm.

On both nights they welcome runners of all abilities with beginners or those wishing to try running especially welcome.Distances vary to suit different capabilities with beginners encouraged at every step. Running with company is safer, easier and much more fun contact jogalong2010@hotmail.com for more details.

BOWLS

Ayrshire Bowling Association has named its North team for the Andrew Hamilton Trophy on Saturday at Kelvindale versus Glasgow West.

Rink 1

Lead: Ross Gouldstone (Troon Portland)

Second: James Gouldie (Skelmorlie)

Third: Graeme Hume - Townholm

Skip: Drew Boyd (Townholm)

Rink 2

Jack Porteous (West Kilbride)

Gordon Gray (Ardrossan)

Steven Caldwell ( Kay Park)

Skip - Calum Williamson (Irvine Park)

Rink 3

Willie Green (Kay Park)

Darren Law (Townholm)

Sean Stirling (Dalry)

Skip: Cameron Wilson (Townholm)

Rink 4

Colin Doak (Troon Portland

Andrew Flood ( Ardeer Rec)

James Maclean (Townholm)

Skip - Jim Hume (Springhill)

Rink 5

Blair Davidson (Blacklands)

Gary Rice (West Kilbride)

Tommy Coombe (Kilwinning)

Skip Jack Montgomery (West Kilbride

Rink 6

John Sproat (Kilbirnie)

David Rae (Largs Halkshill)

Peter O’Reilly (Dalry)

Skip: David Hargreaves - Irvine Park

Reserves to travel: Jim Conn (Ardeer) Neil Goldie (Skelmorlie)

Bus leaves 11.30 am Ardrossan Indoor BC and noon at Townholm.

The South team as yet not named play Stewartry at Galston on Saturday, May 11 at 2pm.

The Under-25’s play their first game of the season on Sunday, May 12 at Coylton at 2pm against Dumfries and Galloway.

Glaisnock Valley play Whithorn Wigtown at Whithorn on Sunday, May 12 in the first round of the top ten at 2pm.

GOLF

The draws for the various Ayrshire Junior Golf League competitions in 2019 were made at the February meeting of the club convenors, and preparations are well under way for the various fixtures.

This year, the results and league updates will be carried on the Ayrshire Golf Association web page, with links to the various competitions available on the left of the page under the ‘Ayrshire Junior Golf League’ heading.

Ten clubs will contest the AYRSHIRE JUNIOR GOLF LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP this year, with two qualifying sections in operation, with all clubs playing home and away and the winners of each section going forward to meet in the League Championship final at West Kilbride in September.

The qualifying sections are:-

SECTION A

Ballochmyle

Caprington

Prestwick St Nicholas

Kilmarnock Barassie

Irvine

SECTION B

West Kilbride

Loudoun

Prestwick St Cuthbert

Ayr Belleisle

Troon Welbeck

In a change to the format this year, the Wallace Thornton Trophy has changed to a simple draw for opponents in the opening rounds, which will be played on a home and away basis up to the final which takes place, as a single match, at West Kilbride in September.

The draws for the opening two rounds are:-

Wallace Thornton Trophy

Round 1 (play by June 30)

Irvine v Prestwick St Nicholas

Prestwick St Nicholas v Irvine

Caprington v Troon Welbeck

Troon Welbeck v Caprington

Ballochmyle v Kilmarnock Barassie

Kilmarnock Barassie v Ballochmyle

ONE of the finest championship links courses in Scotland has undergone a new look to help boost enjoyment and playability.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club, a former Open Final Qualifying and Amateur Championship venue, now boasts an impressive new short 12th hole and other subtle course changes that have helped increase membership at the west coast layout.

One of the finest championship links courses in Scotland has undergone a new look to help boost enjoyment and playability.

Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club, a former Open Final Qualifying and Amateur Championship venue, now boasts an impressive short 12th hole and other subtle course changes that have helped increase membership at the west coast layout.

In the early 2000s, the prestigious Ayrshire club on the outskirts of Troon completed a project to add an additional nine holes to the existing historic 18-hole course, primarily to add length to the championship course and offer members more challenge and variety.

However, two parts of the site required having to walk over 400 yards between holes and Barassie have moved to address this issue in an era of trying to speed up the sport.

CRICKET

Inspiring Irvine opened their Western Union First Division campaign with a fine win on Saturday.

They took on Kelburne at Marress.

The home side won the toss and elected to field first.

Irvine, who have Mo Alam as their skipper, bowled brilliantly.

Kelburne were all out for a paltry 82, with the captain taking 2-15 in a dazzling spell and Naveed Zazai 2-18.

In reply, Irvine were 85-5, giving them a five-wicket win.

Top scorer was Barak Mohiaga with 22 not out.

Player Stuart McCallum said: “That was a good win for us as Kelburne are a really good side.

“We have brought in two or three new faces and will be looking for more good displays. The next game is at St Michael’s and we will be looking to win that before we have a tough of run of games coming up.

ICE HOCKEY

North Ayrshire Ice Hockey Club had no games this weekend, but continue their weekly training in preparation for their final games & upcoming tournaments.

This weekend they had three of their our boys travelling to Sheffield with their Scotland Teams to compete in the 25th anniversary of Engkish Ice Hockey Association Conference Tournament Weekend!

This three-day tournament puts Scotland against the best that England had to offer from Northern, Midlands, South West & South East.

Scotland Under 13’s opened the tournament with a 7am start on the Saturday with a 4 - 2 win over South East and the U15’s closed the tournament with their game against the South West. Full results will be available next week.

Fixtures

Saturday, May 11

Scottish Cup Final at Dundee Ice Arena.

North Ayrshire Penguins v Kirkcaldy Kestrels U12’s are on at 10am

Penguins are the only team to make it to the finals this year where they will face the only team to have beaten them this season. Fingers crossed this time it’s the Penguins who get the win!

Sunday, May 12

North Ayrshire ire Stars v Dundee Stars U14’s in their last game of the season at Dundee Ice Arena, face off 2.30pm.