AYR overcame East Kilbride, and wretched conditions, to make a solid start to their Western Union title defence.

And in Lenert Van Wyk, they appear to have on board the latest in a long sequence of highly impressive overseas players at Cambusdoon.

With the hosts aiming for a target of 200, the South African produced a watchful knock of 79 to guide them to victory by six wickets with four overs in hand.

They had lost captain Andi McElnea early, trapped in front by Fred Klaassen with the tally on 10, but a robust and energetic partnership of 59 between Neil Smith and Neil Logan steadied the ship. The former was next to depart for 48 off as many balls, leaving Logan to carry on the good work with Van Wyk. But when Logan had reached 30, he chipped a return catch to international leg-spinner Moneeb Iqbal.

Iqbal struck again almost immediately to put the contest back into the melting pot. However, Richie Borland ably took over the mantle of support act for Van Wyk and there were no further blips. Van Wyk's innings came from 97 balls and included 11 boundaries.

Earlier, the equally stubborn Klaassen had blunted the Ayr seam attack. His 86 featured eight fours and a six during a stay at the crease spanning 106 deliveries.

Klaassen's stand of 66 for the fifth wicket with skipper Josh Johnston (24) proved to be the backbone of the innings. Scotty McElnea finished with four for 47 from 15 overs, including the top three batsmen in the EK order with just 38 on the board.

At Coatbridge, Drumpellier surged to an eight-wicket success over West of Scotland after dismissing them for 109.

Eastern Premiership champions Aberdeenshire were indebted to Kenny Reid as they overcame a dose of the jitters before snuffing out the challenge of Forfarshire.

The visitors had been on course to snatch a shock win in Mannofield's battle of the shires, thanks to some excellent cricket from the Sweeney clan. But the resolute Reid halted the rot to steer the Dons over the line by three wickets.

First, a brilliant catch at mid off by Dale Sweeney accounted for the hosts' prolific overseas ace Hayes van den Berg for only one as they chased 150. Then brother Liam snapped up three middle-order wickets in quick succession to leave the home side toiling. However, Reid (49 not out) held his nerve to complete the comeback.

The Broughty Ferry brigade had to depend on captain Craig Wallace (70) to post a reasonable total in bitter conditions.

Grange's George Munsey delivered a nudge to the Scotland selectors by striking a fine century to inflict a second defeat in succession on Arbroath. Munsey's 107 inspired Grange towards a tally of 293 for seven, in which Neil McCallum (62), Ryan Flannigan (46) and Chris Sole (43) also starred.

Spinner Craig Ramsay was the only Arbroath bowler to pose any problems with three for 29.

Carlton again underlined their title credentials by demolishing capital rivals RH Corstorphine. The visitors had enjoyed a solid start at Grange Loan as they grafted their way to 28 without loss, but then the wheels came off in devastating style. A superb spell of bowling by Omar Ahmad sent them hurtling to an abject 59 all out. He claimed four wickets at a cost of only five runs in 5.3 overs, four of which were maidens. Overseas import Roy McCloy also played his part with three for 16.

In-form Scotland batsman Hamish Gardiner spearheaded the response with 40 not out as Carlton cruised to another notable success in fewer than 12 overs, following their opening-day triumph at Arbroath.

Half centuries from Peter Ross, Kevin McLaren and Sean Weeraratna propelled Heriot's to a comprehensive win against Stoneywood-Dyce at Goldenacre.