INVERCLYDE produced an under-par performance as their batsmen failed to achieve the modest target set by visitors Milngavie.
On winning the toss, Inverclyde’s captain Gareth James opted to bowl first and, although the Milngavie opening batters made a good start, he was rewarded with two wickets from Matt Walton and one from Paul Singh in overs six through nine, with the visitors 34 for 3.
Chris Dick then bowled opener Dennis for 17 and Singh bowled Willis for 15, to leave Milngavie on 79 for 5 after 19 overs, and Inverclyde in a good position.
However Rochani and Gavede counter-attacked well, with five boundaries in quick succession, until Singh accounted for both batsmen, Rochani well held at mid-off by Dave Cooke for 21 and Scott Campbell taking a fine catch just inside the deep mid-wicket boundary to dismiss Gavede.
Milngavie had reached 105 for 7 after 25 overs, but Walton and James speedily accounted for the tail, including two leg-before decisions, with the visitors’ innings closing on 118 in 30 overs.
Walton finished with 4 for 31, Singh 4 for 27, Dick 1 for 29, and James 1 for 26, while young Mahmood Ahmadzi bowled well in his first senior game for the club.
Faced with this achievable target, Inverclyde’s opening batters played well until Cammy Gunn was beaten by a fine ball in the sixth over by Mahayana that clipped his off-stump.
Campbell was then unfortunate when his aggressive drive was well held by the same bowler, who then bowled Dick to leave Inverclyde at a disappointing 26 for 3 after 11 overs.
Captain James joined opener Cooke at an important stage in the match but was bowled by change-bowler Singh’s slower ball.
Walton and Cooke took the score to 43 in 20 overs, until Walton was then bowled, with Inverclyde well behind the pace.
Singh was caught at deep square leg, but Douglas Pilkington and Cooke looked to have a chance of turning the game in Inverclyde’s favour until Cooke was caught for 17, at 67 for 7, when his drive did not clear extra cover.
Chris Roffe was unlucky to play on, Benny Deaks was run out in a batting mix-up, and Ahmadzi was bowled as Inverclyde were dismissed for 79 in the 34th over, with Pilkington at 17 not out.
Inverclyde’s captain was disappointed that his side was unable to chase down this target and he will be looking for a better performance next Saturday when they travel to play Blackhill.
