Inverclyde 143 for 7 (10 pts)
Loc Hire The Tryst 61 all out (0 pts)
INVERCLYDE scored an emphatic 81-run victory over Stenhousemuir 2nd XI, with a good all-round performance.
Batting first on the damp Gourock Park wicket, Inverclyde’s openers were restricted early on by the visitors’ impressive opening bowlers. David Thomson was trapped leg before by Rainsforth, with the total on 12 in the 6th over.
Cammy Gunn joined Dave Cooke and this pair carefully built the innings until, at 49, Rainsforth struck twice in the 18th over, removing Cooke with a ball that kept low, then having Matt Walton caught trying to repeat his first ball straight drive boundary.
Gunn and Paul Singh then saw off the opening bowlers and increased the scoring rate as they attacked the change bowlers. Singh was out leg before for 13 at 96 for 4 in the 27th over and Gunn was caught in the 31st over at 116 for 5 for a fine 61, which included one six and six fours.
Inverclyde’s captain Gareth James kept up the pace until he was bowled for 19 and Douglas Pilkington and Ross Blair took the score to 143 for 7 after the 40 overs, a respectable total given the slow wicket.
The visitors started their reply cautiously against an accurate opening bowling spell from James and Singh, helped by Barry Deak’s keen fielding at square leg.
Singh got the breakthrough in the 18th over when Cooke took the catch at point to dismiss Hunter, and in the same over, James caught Quinn at short mid-wicket.
First change bowler Stewart Blair bowled Townsend and Singh had Dyer well held by Thomson low at mid-on, with the visitors at 34 for 4, and Inverclyde in command, at the half way point.
Blair took an important second wicket to dismiss Tryst’s captain Bain with another good Cooke catch, this time high at mid-on. David Mudie struck in his first over with a fine ball to bowl Moses.
Walton bowled Rainsforth with his first ball and then had Greenwood caught by Pilkington at slip and Mackay caught at mid-wicket by Gunn. James returned to take the final wicket with another Gunn catch to dismiss the visitors for 61 in the 34th over.
Walton took 3 for 5, Singh 3 for 15, Blair 2 for 20, James 1 for 10 and Mudie 1 for 10, the bowlers being well assisted by the seven catches in the field.
This fine victory moves Inverclyde to sixth in the table and they will look to further improve their position when they host Anniesland on Saturday.
Practices continue at Gourock Park on Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm for juniors and seniors, where newcomers will be made welcome, including anyone who enjoyed the recent fun day at St Columba’s High School.
