Hillhead 3rd XI 182 for 9
Inverclyde 183 for 7
INVERCLYDE moved up to fourth in WDCU Championship 4 with another impressive run chase at the weekend at Hillhead’s Hughenden ground, the winning runs coming with only two balls to spare.
Hillhead’s opening batters put on a good partnership until Gallao was bowled by Assad Nasairi for 22 at 64 for 1 in 16th over. Broadley was then caught by Ibrahim Haidari for 26 in David Tolan’s first over. Two further Tolan wickets and one from Sahil Safi took the home side to 97 for 5 after 27 overs. However 85 runs were scored off the final 12 overs taking the home side to 182 for 9 after 40 overs. Tolan finished with 4 for 35, Safi 2 for 37, Mohammad Anwer 1 for 19, Nasairi 1 for 53, and Haidari 0 for 36, helped by a good fielding display, with catches from Dave Cooke, Gordon Lappin and Ibrahim Haidari, and a sharp run-out from wicketkeeper Lappin.
Hillhead were confident that they would be able to defend this total, but Inverclyde’s innings started well although Scott Campbell was bowled at 36 for 1 in the 12th over. Anwer increased the run rate with a fine attacking display which included eight boundaries but he was unfortunate to be caught, out for 46 at 96 for 2 after 22 overs. Haidari and Zander Lovell were both caught as they pushed for runs but Nasairi (18) and Safi (25) had good partnerships with opener Cooke who was bowled for 20 in the 36th over at 167 for 6 after a solid innings, as Inverclyde’s young batsmen chased down the target.
Inverclyde needed 16 runs to win from the final four overs, but the 7th wicket fell when Safi was bowled at 175 for 7 at the start of the penultimate over. However Tolan and Lappin held their nerve and Tolan scored the winning run on the fourth ball of the 40th over to complete the run chase to give Inverclyde a well-earned victory.
Inverclyde’s next match is a home fixture against league leaders Kelburne on Saturday at Gourock Park.
