Milngavie 209 for 9 (after 50 overs) 9 pts Hillhead 199 for 9 (after 41.3 overs) 25 pts (DLS 196)
It was just after 20.00 on Saturday when Hillhead’s no. 11 batter, Gagan Agrawal, strode to the wicket to seek an unlikely victory for his side. It was the end of a rain interrupted game where Milngavie had set a very challenging 1st innings total of 209. The hosts had faltered at 18 for 2 in the 9th over when the rain came. Some 50 minutes later, Hillhead were back in the middle with a DLS revised target of 196 in 42 overs, 9 of which had already been bowled. The odds were against Hillhead and so it proved as they lost wickets steadily to reach 153 for 8 in the 35th over. The stats were not hopeful: 44 to make in 8 overs with just 9, 10 and “Jack” available at the crease !! However “cometh the hour cometh the men” was the mood music going forward.
The change in momentum was aided by a collapse in the visitors bowling attack where the lack of a reliable 5th bowler cost Milngavie plenty, their 4th and 5th change conceding 51 runs from 8 overs. Yet the runs had to be scored and it was initially the combined efforts of strike bowlers, “Logger” Lynch and Keshav Soni which made the difference. It was some sight, considering the avoirdupois of the batters, but Soni effectively clubbed 23 in a breathless knock, with Gavin Lynch playing the supporting role with 10 no. Soni clubbed once too much and was out at 189, still 7 runs for the victory.
Agrawal, bespectacled and helmetless, and peering in the descending gloom, proved to be the hero. He scrambled 1 off the first ball he faced and was left to see his side home. 6 balls and 6 runs needed. A wide off the first ball and then a four, squirted round to the leg side boundary off the next; and then to cheers from his teammates a repeat off the 3rd ball!!
It was pure “Kipling” at the end: Triumph and Disaster in the same arena. Sport at its most demanding and unsympathetic.
This Saturday, June 24th, Hillhead 1st X1 make the short trip to Hamilton Crescent to play Partick in a top of the table clash, start 12.00
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