Hillhead 1st XI 35 all out (18.4 overs) 1 point Irvine 1st XI 39 for 3 (8.4 overs) 25 points
On the first day of meteorological summer and on a blameless Marress track, visitors Hillhead collapsed for the second time in as many weeks to post a disappointing total of only 35 runs. Mind you the game is always easier when viewed from the sidelines, and, given that Irvine opened up with thunderbolts from the south African, Lurcan, at one end and the slow left arm box of tricks from Sri Lankan professional, Sachin Jayawardene, at the other, in these circumstances the meagre total can be viewed as a good return.
Of the Hillhead batters “Shaz” Mazumder and Jared Bartlett hung about well, but the opportunities for forcing shots was seriously limited by the quality of the attack they faced. The Sri Lankan, Jayawardene, returned figures of 9-4-8-7, a match winning performance while Lurcan had 2 for 20, 11 of which were wides for which the visitors were grateful.
When Irvine came to bat, Gavin “Hit Man” Lynch in a fiery burst offered a few “shells” of his own, 2 of which produced fine catches for Mazumder at 2nd slip, and captain, Jim Lindley-Dawe, behind the stumps. Cammy Horn clean bowled the other opener. But 35 was no total to bowl at, and the players returned to the changing rooms in Irvine’s well refurbished pavilion after only 8.4 overs.
Hillhead will have to keep plugging away in this league and continue to work hard to ensure they do not become too detached in the basement from the rest of the Clubs in Western Championship 2.
Next up in the league are Renfrew who visit Hughenden on Saturday June 8th for a 12.00 start.
Image: Jared Bartlett who applied himself well with the bat and fielded bravely
