Hillhead 1st XI 143 all out (49 overs) 7 pts East Renfrewshire 1st XI 145 for 8 (40 overs) 25 pts
Batting first on a slow wicket, Hillhead’s batters struggled for most of their innings to generate any momentum, and once again had to rely on the generosity of their hosts for their donation of 34 extras to boost their total. Certainly Hillhead partially contributed to their low score with 2 of their top 3 batters being needlessly run out, showing poor judgment in running between the wickets. Newcomer, Hugo Longrigg , looked promising until he played at one he should have left to be caught behind for 11. Captain Jim Lindley-Dawe followed the maxim of dogged occupation of the crease to compile a useful 22, before he was out forcing the play. Jamie Dunbar, batting at no.9, batted very sensibly to post a brave 16 not out, but the final total looked at least 30-40 runs too short on a wicket which was firming up under the baking sun.
East Renfrewshire, for their part, did not race untroubled to the finish line, taking some 40 overs to reach the winning total. They wobbled at 35 for 3 and then again at 72 for 4 with 2 of these dismissals due to Snehaan Das’ excellent catching in the deep. An unlikely turn of events seemed possible in strike bowler Gavin Lynch’s second spell. Racing in, his well nourished body sweating profusely, he accounted for 2 frontline opposition, Chaudray for a forceful 30 and Hussain for 2. But even that and Jared Bartlett’s beautifully flighted leg break catching Rana leg before for 7, did not unsettle the hosts. Careful accumulation from 128 for 8 took them to their winning total and joy for their players and supporters.
Hillhead now return to Hughenden to play the strong Kelburne XI in Round 4 of the Premiership 2 competition on Saturday the 25th. The game starts at 12.00.
Image: Strike bowler Gavin Lynch
