CRICKET — Disappointment For Inverclyde Against Kirkstyle

Inverclyde 153 for 6

Kirkstyle 156 for 1

INVERCLYDE were well beaten at Gourock Park by Kilmarnock 2nd XI Kirkstyle.

The visitors took advantage of the Western District Cricket Union (WDCU) registration system to give dropped first team player Sandeep Dhaliwal some batting practice. This made the game an uneven contest and Kirkstyle unsurprisingly won the game comfortably.

On winning the toss, with three main bowlers unavailable, Inverclyde captain Dave Cooke opted to bat first, and he put on 24 for the opening partnership with David Thomson until he mistimed a pull shot and played on to his stumps. Thomson batted well but was caught at point for 15 at 46 for 3.

Stuart Callison and David Mudie had a fine partnership against some tight bowling from the visitors taking the score to 141 in the 36th over when Callison was stumped after a good innings worth 61 runs. Mudie (18 not out) and Scott Campbell added some late runs as the home side finished on 155 for 6 after 40 overs.

Inverclyde’s defence of this reasonable total started well when Tom Watson had Johnstone caught in gully by Paul Singh, but this was to prove the only highlight for the locals as McLaren and Dhaliwal, both Kilmarnock first team players, won the game in 21 overs.

Inverclyde players completed a busy cricketing weekend when they travelled on Sunday to spectate at The Grange in Edinburgh at Scotland’s impressive victory over an England side at the top of the world rankings.

Inverclyde’s senior and junior practices continue on Thursday and Tuesday evenings respectively when newcomers to the game will be made welcome.