Bute 49 all out
Inverclyde 50 for 2
INVERCLYDE had a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Bute on Saturday at Gourock Park with a good all-round performance.
Bute started their innings confidently but Mohammad Anwer made the important breakthrough when Bute captain Ware was beaten for pace to play on to the stumps. Then Anwer took a fine catch low down at second slip as Paul Singh took Mariott’s wicket, the visitors now on 13 for two after six overs.
Tight bowling from change-bowlers Assad Naisiri and Ibrahim Haidari kept the run rate down as Ramage and Black batted well to take the score to 31 until first change-bowler Naisiri bowled opener Ramage in the 17th over. Chris Dick had Guy stumped by Douglas Pilkington to leave Bute in trouble at 32 for 4 after 20 overs.
Having changed ends, Anwer finally accounted for Black after his solid defensive innings. Further Naisiri and Anwer wickets wrapped up the innings with the visitors all out for a disappointing 49 in the 31st over. Inverclyde’s bowlers had played well to restrict the visitors with Anwer finishing with 3 wickets for 15, Naisiri 2 for 7, Singh 1 for 9, Dick 1 for 10, while Ishaan Nayak and Ibrahim Haidari conceded just six runs in their combined eight overs.
With rain forecast, Inverclyde attacked the Bute bowling from the start but lost an early wicket as Dave Cooke was unfortunate to play on to Ware’s pacier delivery. Anwer hit three boundaries including a massive six over long-on before falling for 18 to another good Ware delivery. Nayak batted impressively as Ware tried to put further pressure on the home batters but no further wickets were to fall as, in partnership with captain Gordon Lappin, he guided Inverclyde to victory, scoring the winning runs in the 11th over. Nayak finished on 18 not out and Lappin 12 not out.
Inverclyde’s practice sessions continue at 6pm on Tuesdays at Gourock Park prior to next weekend’s away fixture against Kingholm in Dumfries.
