Hillhead 163 all out ( 38.3 overs) 25 points Milngavie 147 all out ( 40.4 overs ) 7 points
At 20.30 in the gathering gloom at the Glasgow University estate, Hillhead took their last wicket to defeat hosts, Milngavie, by 16 runs in a very closely contested game. Milngavie looked in control of the outcome for most of their reply to Hillhead’s 163 in reaching 125 for 5 in the 29th over of the game, reduced to 41 overs/side due to rain delays. But then the visitors rallied due to 2 wickets in 2 balls from both strike bowler, Gavin Lynch, and first change, Keshav Soni. The former recovered well from a very poor first spell to exert control in his second run to put the brake on the Milngavie victory attempt. His first wicket came from a superb catch on the long leg boundary courtesy of “Romi” More , while his second was a pouch behind from wicket keeper, James Lindley-Dawe, who had 4 scorebook victims, but had no luck with his 5th appeal. Keshav’s wickets came in tight 8 over spell where he took 3 for 25.
The fact Hillhead rallied well in a game they might have lost was down to the cricket nous of Captain, Jack Holland, who managed his bowling resources expertly and set an enviable example in his fielding skills. Earlier, he had already led from the front with his batting, compiling a well constructed 60, when the next highest contributor was “extras” with 30. However, both Ganesh Ardarkar and Sneehan Das also batted well for their 20 and 23 respectively, but both will have been disappointed that they failed to build on their promising starts.
Another 25 points from this victory finds Hillhead still in a with a chance of promotion from WDCU Premiership 3 but to achieve that, they will require to defeat the strong Partick X1 in the final league game of the season on Saturday August 27 at Hughenden, 12.00 start.
ALL spectators and friends will be made very welcome at this game. The 1st X1 are worthy of your support.