Victoria 150 all out in 40 overs ( 2 pts ) Hillhead 151 for 4 wickets in 37 overs ( 25 pts )
On a day of slate grey skies, Hillhead’s 1st X1 performance brought some much needed warmth and cheer to their players and supporters, given their recent indifferent form, with their fine 6 wicket victory. Yet it all could have been so much different as visitors, Victoria, raced away like greyhounds released from the traps in their first use of the strip to 58 for 2 after only 9 overs.
But then change bowlers, Sneehan Daas, with 2 for 27 off 6 overs, and Ross Jones, bowling unchanged for his 10 overs and finishing with 3 for 23, put the brakes on Victoria’s progress. Two of Jones’s wickets were aided by Jim Lindley-Dawe’s catching as wicket keeper. The depth of the host’s bowling strength was franked by the introduction of strike bowler, Gavin Lynch, with 2 for 14 off his 7 overs and the Captain, Jack Holland’s off spin, with 1 for 24 off his 9 over spell. The effective strangulation of the Victoria run rate had produced just an additional 92 runs off 31 overs.
Hillhead’s response to the chase was poorish with opener, Paul Bartlett, falling victim to the first of 2 needless run outs. However, Ganesh Ardarkar, quickly turned “hero” from his “ villain status” to compile an effortless 52 in the company of Jack Holland in a 74 run 3rd wicket partnership. Unfortunately, Ganesh was then himself run out with the total on 125 to be followed almost immediately by Jack Holland with his 31 typically full of quick running between the wickets.
Some 25 runs were still needed to close off the game, and , despite a few anxious moments Sneehan Daas and Jim Lindley-Dawe, 13 and 8 not out respectively, took their team to the 25 points win.
Next Saturday, July 29th, Hillhead 1st X1 make the short journey to Clydesdale for a very difficult game vs their Titwood X1. It’ s a 12.00 start and all supporters will be made very welcome