Inverclyde 94 for 8
Renfrew 3rds 95 for 4
INVERCLYDE lost their Division 4 fixture against Renfrew’s 3rd XI by six wickets at Gourock Park on Saturday.
With the wicket and outfield still damp from recent wet weather, it was no surprise that Inverclyde were asked to bat first when the visitors won the toss.
With an accurate bowling attack and defensive field, Renfrew were on top in the early overs and achieved the breakthrough when Cammy Gunn was caught behind.
Dave Cooke and Douglas Pilkington batted well in in their partnership, but found runs hard to accumulate, not getting full value with shots holding up in the damp outfield.
They had just started upping the pace when Cooke was sharply stumped on 17 at 48 for 2 in the 22nd over. Matt Walton hit a massive six off the visiting captain Rokkam, but was bowled by Kai for 14 at 75 for 3.
Pilkington then fell for 29 to Pramsai as he tried to push the score, and Paul Singh (10) also tried but could not produce the boundaries that would have improved Inverclyde’s slim chance of success in the challenging conditions.
Tommy McDade, Craig Watson and Mark Blair could not push the score into three figures and Barry Deak defended his wicket well in the 40th over as the innings closed on 94 for 8.
Singh and Watson applied early pressure to the visiting opening batsmen but it was first change bowler David Mudie who gained the breakthrough when he bowled Shaik for 17 at 27 for one in the 13th over.
Four overs later, his outswinger then took Smith’s edge for a sharp catch by Walton at slip, with the visitors on 34 for 2 after 17 overs. However Goodman had been batting patiently, surviving some appeals and half chances in the field, and was able to get better value for his shots in the drying conditions.
Craig Watson then had Mishim caught behind by Pilkington, and next ball Bashir was caught by Cooke at mid wicket. Abdul survived the hat-trick ball when he lobbed the ball into the vacant cover space with fielders surrounding the bat.
However no further wickets were to fall as Goodman finished on 44 not-out as he steered the visitors to victory in the 30th over. Mudie finished with 2 for 12 from 5 overs, Watson 2 for 25, while Singh and Walton bowled well but without reward.
Outdoor training takes place at Gourock Park from 6 to 8pm on Tuesdays for seniors and juniors.