Inverclyde Now Logo CRICKET — Inverclyde Well Beaten By League Leaders

16 July, 2018 | Local

Inverclyde 133 for 5

Vale of Leven 134 for 1

UNDER-strength Inverclyde were well beaten by top-of-the-league Vale of Leven at Millburn Park, Bonhill on Saturday, and slipped to the bottom of the league after Bute gained winning draw points at home to Bees.

With several of Inverclyde’s main batsmen and bowlers unavailable, captain Dave Cooke had a difficult decision to make when he won the toss. He elected to bat first to try to build a challenging enough total that could have created an upset. Tommy McDade, in his first game back after an early season injury, opened well with his captain against the league’s top bowling attack, but was caught behind for 10 runs at 18 for 1 after nine overs.

Douglas Pilkington joined Cooke in an important partnership and they built the total steadily against the accurate Lawrence and Stavert. They took the score to 83 in the 31st over when Cooke was well caught by Singh at extra cover for 33. Gareth James was then caught in the deep attempting to repeat an impressive boundary and Singh took a second good catch to dismiss debutant Gareth Smith’s well struck shot to mid-wicket.

Pilkington and Billy Hair added some late runs, scoring 11 from the final over, including Hair boundaries from the last two balls of the innings. Pilkington finished on 52 not out in a solid innings for his side which helped frustrate the home team and give Inverclyde a total to defend.

In reply Vale’s opening batsmen started very positively until Inverclyde’s Cooke took a fantastic one-handed catch high at long-on to dismiss home captain Miller off Dave Mudie’s bowling at 20 for 1 in the fourth over. The same bowler almost grabbed another wicket when Dalby’s miscue fell agonisingly between wicketkeeper and slip.

James was bowling back almost at his best, but Vale’s batsmen displayed their table-topping form to deny any breakthroughs. Junior Frederick Smith bowled well in his first game for the seniors and Billy Hair had an accurate spell of slow bowling, but no further wickets were to fall, despite some half chances in the field, and Vale of Leven reached the target comfortably during the 23rd over.

Despite only picking up two points from the last two games, Inverclyde have given debuts to five players in these games, including four juniors, demonstrating the benefit of their junior cricket programme, and the club’s Growing Cricket in Inverclyde Initiative.

Inverclyde Cricket Club’s junior practices continue on Tuesdays at Gourock Park from 6 to 8 pm, while the senior practices are on Thursdays from 6.30 to 8pm.

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