CRICKET — Inverclyde Lose To League Leaders

Inverclyde 100 all out (0 pts)

Vale of Leven 101 for 7 (10 pts)

INVERCLYDE lost out to league leaders Vale of Leven by three wickets at Gourock Park after a spirited fight back by the locals just fell short of a surprise victory.

The visitors won the toss and asked Inverclyde to bat first on the damp wicket. The Vale captain’s tactic of using the opening bowlers Staevert and Lawrence unchanged paid off as their tight spells accounted for Inverclyde’s experienced top order batsmen, with Inverclyde at 38 for 4 after 20 overs.

Change-bowler Corrigan then picked up two wickets in his first over. Gareth James was caught at deep mid for 10 attempting to repeat the previous ball boundary, and after a good defensive display, opener David Thomson was trapped leg before for 13 as he played round a slower ball.

Inverclyde batsman Tommy McDade who unfortunately had to retire injured.

Chris Dick, David Mudie, Tom Watson and Paul Singh built the total well at the tail end of the innings after Tommy McDade had to retire hurt after falling when attempting a quick single. Singh finished on a battling 19 when Watson was bowled on the first ball of the 40th over, with Inverclyde disappointed at their score of 100 all out, although the damp wicket and outfield was a restricting factor.

Vale started their reply in emphatic fashion as captain Miller and Lawrence took the total to 52 for no wicket after 10 overs but a change in end worked for Gareth James who bowled Miller for 25 and then Lawrence fell leg before to Watson for 21. However the visitors were well placed at 55 for 2 after 17 overs.

James then bowled Corrigan, and Watson had Ahmazdi caught at point by Thomson as the visitors slipped to 75 for 4 and the run-rate plummeted through Watson’s and Singh’s accurate bowling. Three wickets then fell in three overs as Singh bowled Staevert, and Dick had Caulfield stumped by Pilkington and trapped Houston leg before, with Inverclyde now sensing possibly victory with Vale on 89 for 7.

However the Inverclyde bowlers could not dislodge the experienced Graham Lawrence, who was protecting the weak lower order, although he did give a half chance when he mistimed a pull that just fell short of the in-rushing James at deep midwicket. That was to prove Inverclyde’s last hope of a win as Lawrence held out to score the winning runs in the 31st over.

Tom Watson was the pick of the Inverclyde bowlers, finishing on 2 for 20 in his 10 overs, Chris Dick took 2 for 15, Gareth James 2 for 42, and Paul Singh 1 for 24.

Vale of Leven remain top of the league after this close encounter, while Inverclyde slip to fourth but the locals will be encouraged with their bowling performance and spirit that came very close to snatching an improbable win.

Senior practices continue through the season at Gourock Park on Thursdays from 6.30 to 8pm, and junior practices take place at Gourock Park on Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm.