Inverclyde Now Logo CRICKET — Inverclyde Win Keeps Them In Fifth Place

13 August, 2018 | Local

Frederick Smith and Sam Hargie who bowled and fielded well for the senior team

Kirkstyle 168 for 9

Inverclyde 172 for 4

INVERCLYDE achieved their second away victory in a row as they retained fifth place in the Western District Cricket Union division four on Saturday with a fine team performance in a six-wicket win over Kilmarnock seconds Kirkstyle.

After an attacking start from the home opening batsmen, Inverclyde’s bowlers and fielders excelled in the opening 20 overs of Kirkstyle’s innings to reduce the home team to 63 for 5. Tom Watson and Paul Singh produced their best opening spell of the season, bowling precise line and length, with Singh taking the first important wicket as Daliwal’s on-drive was held by the diving Scott Campbell at mid-wicket.

Watson then accounted for Johnstone as wicket-keeper Douglas Pilkington held a catch in front of first slip, with the home side at 42 for 2 in the 13th over. David Mudie replaced Singh with a good 10-over spell. He trapped Ahmed leg before wicket in his second over and, at the other end Watson finished with two further wickets, Rice out leg before and bowling Doyle. Mudie then bowled Neil and Kirkstlye’s innings was in disarray at 72 for 6 after 22 overs.

However home captain McKay and Drew then built a positive partnership until Sam Hargie, at the end of his five-over spell of slow bowling, had McKay well caught by Mudie at mid-on for 25 at 113 for 7. The scoring rate increased until Wilson was run out by Campbell’s quick return from cover and, in his second period, Singh had Rayne leg before wicket in the 38th over. Drew finished on 60 not out as the Kirkstyle innings closed on 168 for 9 after 40 overs.

In a good bowling display, Watson took 3 for 30, Singh 2 for 28, Mudie 2 for 38, Hargie 1 for 25, while young Frederick Smith and Campbell bowled effectively in the latter stages when the home batsmen were pushing for runs.

Inverclyde captain Dave Cooke opened with Gareth Smith, his fifth opening partner of the season, both batsmen playing boldly against Kirkstyle’s accurate attack, scoring 47 runs off the first 12 overs. The partnership was worth 83 when Cooke was caught at cover after another fine captain’s innings of 42. Smith batted confidently as he opened the innings for the first time, hitting several impressive off-drives, but was bowled for 28 at 89 for 2.

After the two wickets had fallen in quick succession, Stuart Callison and Pilkington initially played cautiously, but then increased the pace until Callison was caught at point for 16 at 132 for 3 in the 30th over. Campbell batted well for 15 but was bowled by Doyle in the 38th over within sight of victory, and it was left to Singh to score the winning boundary in the 39th over, with Pilkington undefeated after a solid 46.

After this fourth league victory, Inverclyde will now be looking for a hat-trick of away wins when they travel to play Bute County on Saturday in their penultimate match of the season.

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