A look at the scorebook suggests Matt Horne was the single hero of Ayr's remarkable triumph against title-favourites Grange at Raeburn Place.

After all, the former New Zealand test star scored 68 of his side's meagre total of 110 before claiming 3-6 in 10 overs to spark an astonishing fightback.

However, as he reflected on a tense two-run win, captain Phil Wilson chose to single out the contribution of teenager Callum Leck.

The youngster, who had earlier taken a stunning catch to remove Saltire Gregor Maiden, was thrown the ball with Grange tailenders Johnny Gray and Keith Meakin having taken their side from 78-9 to within touching distance of victory. The 18-year-old responded by inducing a false shot from Gray to secure the upset which had looked to be slipping away from the Cambusdoon side.

"You expect big performances from your experienced players and we got that from Matt." said Wilson. "But the bonus for me is how our young players took up the challenge and especially young Callum.

"The catch he took to get rid of Gregor is one of the best I've seen and he then held his nerve brilliantly when the pressure was on.

"I think this result shows that the league is wide open and our win will probably be seen as a good one for Scottish cricket."

Meanwhile, Carlton continued their promising start to the campaign with a comfortable success against Clydesdale at Titwood. In a match reduced to 45 overs a side, the hosts could muster just 125 as Peter Wooden's classy left-arm spin yielded five wickets.

Qasim Sheikh top-scored for Dale with a diligent 35, but that effort was eclipsed by the veteran Bryn Lockie, the former Scotland batsman's half-century carrying Carlton to a five-wicket victory with 13 overs in hand.

Uddingston joined Carlton with two wins thanks to a 10-wicket romp against a feeble Ferguslie outfit. The Meikleriggs men, renowned for their battling qualities, were a pale shadow of the team which finished runners-up last season.

Without two key all-rounders in David Harper and Majid Haq, they could muster just 171-8 while Gavin Bradley and Paul Hoffmann claimed four and three wickets respectively. Omer Hussain provided the backbone to Ferguslie's innings with a patient 59 not out, while Richard Rutnagur (34) and young opener David Stafford (29) also dug in.

However, run scoring looked a much easier proposition as Ed Cowan, the New South Wales and Saltires batsman, went to work on Ferguslie's weakened attack. Cowan led the way to finish unbeaten on 88 with 13 boundaries while Scott Dalgleish enhanced his growing reputation by striking 65 not out from 101 balls as victory was completed with 13 overs to spare.

Elsewhere, the champions Greenock launched their title defence with an emphatic six-wicket win at Poloc. And a solid opening stand of 84 between Australian Cameron Farrell (53) and Steve Knox (48) paved the way for Heriot's to triumph by 80 runs over Watsonians at Goldenacre.