Hillhead 1st X1 130 all out (47 overs) 3 pts Renfrew 133 for 5 (27 overs) 25 pts
Although the outcome of this game resulted in a defeat for Hillhead, their 6th in 6 starts, there were encouraging signs of a return to form for some of the squad. Ganesh Ardarkar batted well compiling a stylish 36 and was particularly strong off the back foot with well placed deflections and drives. Jared Bartlett, batting 7 in the order, combined watchful defence with occasional outbursts of aggression to make 19, hitting the only maximum of the Hillhead score. Keshav Soni also produced a good few “whacks” in his 8th wicket stand with Bartlett; Keshav later partnered “newbie”, Agrim Jain, in a 10th wicket dash of 25. Soni finished on 16 while Jain was 8 not out at the close. Unfortunately, none of the Hillhead batters could get after the visitors’ spinners, Haider and Ahmed, who between them sent down 20 overs for only 41 runs.
Thanks to a fine opening burst with the new pink ball, the rejuvenated Cammy Horn reduced the visitors to 42 for 3 after 11 overs. However, it was inevitable that Renfrew’s professional, Rahamn, took the game away from Hillhead with a hard hitting 55, 8 fours and 1 six, before he fell LBW to Horn’s outswinger. It was too much of a step up for the Hillhead change bowlers to contain Rahman and Sharma, who finished on 22 not out. Renfrew won by 5 wickets with 23 overs to spare, batting untroubled on a fine Hughenden track. Cammy Horn was to be commended for his spell of 8-0-27-4 with his only flaw a clutchful of wides. Indeed at times the Hillhead attack’s radar malfunction badly contributing 23 to the Renfrew total.
Hillhead remain at Hughenden for their next WDCU Premiership 2 game v Langside with a 12.00 start this coming Saturday, the 15th June.
Image: Ganesh Ardarkar The profile of a fine batter
(Photo acknowledgement Ian Holland )
