Hillhead 3rd 125 for 7
Inverclyde 126 for 5
INVERCLYDE gained revenge for an early season defeat in Glasgow when their blend of youth and experience combined to secure a home win against Hillhead 3rds.
Batting first, the visitors’ opening pair, father and son Gilani, batted well against Inverclyde’s strike attack of captain Gareth James and Mahmood Ahmadzai, until the younger batter was deceived by change bowler David Thomson’s slower ball and was bowled for 28 in the 19th over.
In the next over, Ahmadzai’s sharp return from cover point ran out captain Gilani at 56 for 2. Paul Singh, who has been having a fine season with his accurate medium pace bowling, had Kumar well caught by Tommy McDade low down at gully.
Two Hillhead batters had to retire hurt with leg injuries, and this disruption, together with Chris Dick’s economical five-over spell mid-innings, and helped by Chris Roffe’s and Zander Lovell’s good leg side fielding, resulted in a reduction in the run rate, putting pressure on the visitors.
Sathian was bowled by James for 10, then Ahmadzai trapped Afsal leg before at 101 for 5. Sayer hit late runs until Singh captured two wickets in the final over, with Butt well held by Scott Campbell at short mid-wicket, and Cammy Gunn’s acrobatic catch on the long-off boundary to dismiss Sayer on the last ball of the innings.
The lower order had helped the visitors reach a more competitive total of 125 after 40 overs. Inverclyde’s bowlers had a good afternoon, with Singh finishing with 3 for 24, Thomson 1 for 22, James 1 for 31, Ahmadzai 1 for 36, and Dick 0 for 11.
Inverclyde’s reply started well until Thomson mistimed his pull shot to be caught at mid-wicket at 19 in the seventh over. Gunn was batting well but on 19 his powerful cut shot was well held at backward point, with the locals at 35 for 2 in the 15th over.
Douglas Pilkington joined Ahmadzai and they took the total to 45 for 2 at the 20-over drinks break, but were now well behind the required run rate. On the return, Ahmadzai attacked the bowling, hitting a fine six over long on, but was then caught for 19 trying to repeat his maximum.
Lovell and Campbell both fell to captain Gilani, bringing Inverclyde skipper James to the crease with his side at 58 for 5 after 25 overs, still 68 runs short of victory.
Pilkington hit two important boundaries to boost the total but then took a supporting role as James played a fine captain’s innings over the next 10 overs, with well-struck boundaries, including two sixes over backward square. These boundaries, along with smart running between the wickets, put the locals on top, and James (43 not out) and Pilkington (24 not out) saw Inverclyde through to a five-wicket victory in the 36th over.
This was a good all-round performance from Inverclyde, who now meet Mearns Seconds in the second of three consecutive home games on Saturday at Gourock Park.
Practice sessions continue at Gourock Park on Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm, and new players are welcome to attend. More information can be found at the club’s website.
