Conference C

BEWARE of the ''BMW'' in top gear. That was the strident message directed at Clydesdale yesterday from Ayr captain Ian Masterton as he prepared for today's intriguing encounter at Robertson's Field.

Opener Bruce Patterson, whose middle initials are MW, looked in fine form for Scotland in the Benson and Hedges Cup campaign, yet failed to amass a telling knock. And Masterton reckons he is due to vent his frustrations soon, and possibly against his former team-mates from Titwood.

''Bruce is still far and away the best top-order batsman in the country, but luck was not on his side in the B&H,'' he said.

''Someone is going to suffer as a result, and I wouldn't bet against him scoring a century either against Dale, or Grange in the Scottish Cup the following day.''

Ayr are also bolstered by the return of sporting all-rounder Dougie Johnston - fresh from helping Stranraer to their triumph in football's division two.

Clydesdale are keen to make amends for last week's crushing defeat by Freuchie.

Ferguslie take on Edinburgh Accies at Raeburn Place with an injection of confidence in the wake of last week's victory over Stirling County. Captain Stuart Kennedy said: ''It was heartening to win with such comfort after losing the toss. We can thank Jamie Graham a lot for that. He has come back from New Zealand looking sharp.''

Kennedy also paid tribute to older brother Iain, back in first-team action a year after being given a new hip. His runs were vital against Stirling,

Elsewhere, there should be success for Prestwick at home to Arbroath, Aberdeenshire at Stirling, and Uddingston at home to Greenock.