Hillhead 1st X1 125 for 9 ( after 50 overs ) 1 point Partick X1 126 for 4 ( after 23.3 overs ) 25 points
After all the early morning’s effort expended by ground staff and players to have the square and wicket fit for play by the appointed start time of 12.00, the outcome of the final match in 2023 was a resounding 6 wicket defeat for Hillhead. As a result, they finished 3rd in WDCU Premiership 3, their record for 2023 was Played 16 Won 11. Of these victories, 2 were recorded against Titwood who finished above Hillhead in 2nd place in the league, but hindsight reveals that, discounting the 2 losses to Partick, their inability to defeat Clubs lower in the league ultimately cost the Club dearly.
Inserted on the drying wicket, Hillhead batted gamely throughout their 50 over allocation. Although progress was slow against a very tight and well disciplined attack, the cricket was absorbing and proved a fine spectacle for the smallish group of supporters. Five of the Hillhead batters made double figures and top scorer was wicket keeper, Jim Lindley- Dawe, who displayed typical Yorkshire grit and obstinacy in compiling a hard earned 31 not out with 21 singles. Next was Cammy Horn, who, in the unusual position of opener, reigned in his natural free hitting game to grind out 23 runs. Of the others, Jack Holland and Remi More fell for 14 and 15 respectively when going well, and Rahul Sharma was undone by leg break bowler, Tony Hulatt, again for 14.
For their part, Partick wasted little time in going for what was ultimately a meagre total. After 11 overs of their reply, their openers had reached 55 for no loss; Hillhead at that stage had scored only 17 for 2 wickets down. Apart from leg spinner, Jared Bartlett, who picked up both Partick openers cheaply, but only when the Partick reply had reached 3 figures. The other 5 bowlers in the Hillhead attack each have had better days at the office. The visitors took only 23 overs to reach their target, their only blemish being 2 late run outs which spoiled their score card. The outcome of first in the table playing third resulted in a convincing victory for Partick and the Hillhead squad could have had no complaints about that. It was Hillhead 1st X1’s only league defeat at Hughenden all season
The season, which began in wintry conditions at Helensburgh on the last Saturday in April with a fine victory, petered out on the last Saturday in August with defeat in dampish but eminently playing conditions. However the Hillhead club should take heart from its being able to field 2 competitive Saturday X1’s and a Sunday development team throughout the season. Planning for season 2024 begins soon.