National League promotions for EK, Edinburgh Accies

So, congratulations to East Kilbride on at last winning promotion to the national league - long overdue, some would say. And welcome back, Edinburgh Accies, who did not need to win a play-off match - or even the East League - to get their ticket into the brave new world of the 16-team 'Championship' for next season. All that we are waiting for now is the result of this weekend's final play-off game, between Strathearn, losers to East Kilbride last Saturday, and Kelburne, bottom club of this year's national league, who get a 'second chance' to stay up.

But the main handshakes are extended to skipper Umair Saeed (pictured above with top-scorer Stewart Kampman) and his feisty fellows of EK, who first won the first division of the Western Union with a last-week victory over Hillhead, the leaders up to that point, before taking on Strathearn to climb into the top flight.

East Kilbride have been around a fair time now; in two years' time, they celebrate their collective half-century, during which they were rarely out of contention in the top echelons of the old Glasgow & District League, which merged with the Western Union when the national league was formed, and since then in the Western Union itself.

And they have nurtured and produced a fair number of good quality cricketers from their always-active, always competitive junior section... not all of them given the attention they deserved at national level.

The club's playing and practice facilities at Torrance Park are as good as any, though the ground is on the smallish side. And their clubhouse environment, though orientated more perhaps to the rugby section with whom they share, is spacious and welcoming. Visiting teams will enjoy playing here.

There have always been simmering resentments at EK that 'bigger' clubs have 'poached' their best young players. But now they must set aside those negative feelings and strive to give their youngsters the freedom to express themselves on the bigger stage, under the spotlight of national press coverage, wherever that might lead.


Western Union's 2010 season

EK, Hillhead and Prestwick were the principal contenders for the Western Union title in 2010. EK won 13 of their 15 completed matches, and only twice did they fail to score 200 batting first, the 81 all out against Irvine at home being quite out of character, while they topped the 300 mark against Helensburgh.

Hillhead lost their way in their final two matches having enjoyed a 100% record since being beaten by Glasgow Axccies in mid-May. Prestwick also tailed off at the end of the season, but had earlier been beaten by both the top two. The surprise was that Glasgow Accies were not in contention, as they had posted some of the biggest team and individual scores of any in the league.

Helensburgh finished at the foot of the table and - subject to any unexpected final decisions by the management committee - will go down, to the dismay of quite a few observers. But if Kelburne win their play-off and stay up under the reorganised national league, then there will have to be two promotions from the Western Union second division, which was topped by St Michael's, with GHK in second place.

At the foot of Division 2, Glasgow University Staff will drop down, and the knock-on effects of Kelburne staying up would cause problems for the league management committee, since two of the top three teams in Division 3 - winners Victoria and third-placed Active Life - do not have a permanent ground available to them. In second place in 2010 was Hamilton, while Glenpark in fourth place may get an unexpected leg-up.

However, Kingholm will take the dive into Division 4, to be replaced by Scotindians, who are also groundless, with Moorcroft (the Renfrew second team) hoping also to get promoted if Kelburne would kindly arrange to beat Strathearn, please.

Mirroring the depressed fortunes of the Helensburgh first team, their Ardencaple second team will have to go down to Division 5, which would bring Bute, and possibly Vale of Leven, entertainingly up a peg. And that would leave space for another new team to make up a 10-team fifth division league in 2011.

(Words by Mike Stanger)

East League 2010 Season

Watsonians II clinched the East League Division One title with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Edinburgh II on August 21.

Fielding first, the hosts restricted Edinburgh II to 142 all out at Craiglockhart. Scotland U19 seamer Peter Legget took 4-22 and Tim Boorman took 3-22. In reply Keith Flannigan (50) and Gareth Burnett (35) got their side off to a solid start before 35* from wicket-keeper and Cricket Scotland officer Ben Fox guided them home.

The result caps off a great season for the side captained by David Breach and at times in his absence by Keith Flannigan.

The previous week, Euan Robertson and Richard Crosby both hit half centuries as Watsonians II took a big step towards the title. Watsonians II batted first in the top-of-the-table clash against Edinburgh Accies at Newfield and struggled early on with only 56 runs on the board after 25 overs. Robertson and Crosby then upped the run rate, the former making 68 and the latter 60. Ally Fleming added 30 as they posted 222-6.

In reply, Accies were bowled out for just 76, teenager Patrick Baker taking 5-11 and Crosby 3-7 to give the Myreside men a crucial win - though it didn't affect Accies' promotion into next year's national league since club second teams are not eligible.

Elsewhere in the top flight that weekend, Carlton II kept their title chances alive with a three wicket win over Glenrothes. Australian Simon Spry led the way with 40, while Seb Rae chipped in with 36 and Steve Elder 31 not out as they chased down the Fifers 162-7.

Teenager Henry Edwards top scored with 49 as Grange II’s 232-8 was far too good for Boroughmuir. The latter were bowled out for 104.

Fauldhouse defeated Edinburgh II by 129-runs and Largo saw off Holy Cross by seven wickets after bowling them out for 84.

On August 7, teenager Peter Legget hit 76* as Watsonians II fought hard to see off Grange II at Myreside. The hosts were struggling early on, but Scotland age-grade cap Legget came in at number seven to hit his half century. He was well supported by 39 from Euan Robertson and 34 from Raj Routray as they eventually posted 244-8.

In reply Douglas Philip looked on course for his third successive century, but Robertson claimed his wicket for 89. James Hearn made 60, however Grange II were all out for 220, Robertson taking 4-12 and Routray 3-33.

(Words from Gary Heatly)