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Cricket Media Weekend Follow Up – Week 5

Cricket Media follow up on the weekend's action with quotes from various playes

Lizzie Sleet @CricketScotland
May 29, 2017 7 years
Cricket Media Weekend Follow Up – Week 5

Greenock’s new generation of cricket stars made their mark as the Glenpark side carved out an impressive win over Ayr on Saturday.

Teenagers Harry Briggs and Louis Ware, the latter a Scotland U17 cap, showed their class to help the top flight new boys record a second straight win.

And, while Greenock had rather limped to a one-wicket victory at Kelburne a week earlier, here they cruised to a 38-run success.

Briggs, showing maturity beyond his years, remained calm while a succession of team-mates departed cheaply to score a defiant and crucial 58.

His effort helped Greenock post 193-8 from their fifty overs as the storms which affected the rest of the card skirted around Glenpark.

However, against the most free-scoring team in the country that total would have been insufficient without an inspired bowling and fielding display.

The home side duly rose to the challenge and none more so than Ware who claimed 3-15 as the visitors lost their way.

Australian Kyle Srimegour weighed-in with 3-18 while the only resistance was offered by Shujaa Khan whose 35 was in vein as Ayr succumbed for 155 at the start of the 42nd over.

Home spokesman Peter Hempsey declared: “It was a good game of cricket and a fine win for the team.

“It’s very pleasing to see the young players make significant contributions. Both Harry and Louis have been at the club for years and have played in our junior sides and the 2nd XI.

“There are a number of other good young players coming through the juniors.”

If this result was a setback for Ayr, it was a day to remember for their local rivals Prestwick who ended the day on top of the table after victory over Poloc.

In a game frustratingly punctuated by rain interruptions at Shawholm, Poloc made a promising start only to lose their way as the Prestwick bowlers stuck to their task.

Owais Shah and the consistent Craig Young helped the home side reach 51-1 before Gavin Pitt picked up his second wicket to remove the former for 35.

Pitt quickly dismissed Jurie Snyman to complete figures of 3-23 before Sachin Chaudhary got in on the act with 3-22 as Poloc failed to find a meaningful partnership.

Young’s defiant innings came to an end when he was run out for 46 and the hosts soon subsided to 150 all out.

Prestwick’s reply in pursuit of a target which was revised on several occasions was less than convincing but they eventually limped to 77-7 – sufficient to secure victory on DLS.

Ferguslie are just behind the leaders following victory over East Kilbride at Meikleriggs.

In another rain-affected encounter Riyaad Henry was the Paisley side’s star performer with 70 runs and four wickets in 46-run triumph.

Scott Beveridge claimed five wickets and Niall Alexander four as Dumfries prevailed by seven wickets to leave their Nunholm visitors Kelburne still seeking a first win of the season.

The match of the day between Uddingston and Clydesdale at Bothwell Castle was abandoned after the home side had reached 65-3.

Gordon Goudie may not figure on the radar of the Scotland backroom squad these days, but he showed again at the weekend that he is still one of the most potent pacemen in the country.

Granted, the conditions at Raeburn Place were pretty much ideal for him, but he turned back the clock with a superb spell that paved the way for league co-leaders Grange to cruise to victory against capital rivals Watsonians.

Goudie snapped up the first five wickets of the jittery Sonians innings as they limped to 160 all out – leaving the stage clear for the hosts to scoot past the target with just one man down.

He reflected: “It was another great result in what has been a strong start to our campaign.

“The heartening aspect is that different players have contributed each week and there is a great feeling in the group at the moment.

“Personally, the ball has been coming out of the hand very nicely. It is always nice to come off with a five-for to your name.”

At one stage, Watsons were crumbling on 11 for four, Goudie having removed Andy Learmonth, Ben O’Connell, Ewan Chalmers and ex-Grange chum George Munsey.

Andrew Chalmers (80) offered stout resistance, but when Goudie dismissed Aman Bailwal (20) Grange didn’t slacken their grip and Goudie finished with five for 27 from his 10 overs.

Ryan Flannigan (69 not out) and skipper Preston Mommsen (38 not out) completed the rout after the early departure of Harris Aslam.

Mike Herdman emerged as the main man as champions Carlton stepped up their revival with a clinical demolition job on Aberdeenshire at Grange Loan.

The Aussie made light of the awkward conditions to strike a solid 104 to propel the home side to 245.

He then claimed three cheap wickets to seal the 29-run success.

The contest was effectively over when Herdman removed Dons skipper Chris Venske for six – the batsman having survived two chances before his stumps were shattered.

Venske said: “Carlton look a good team and they were near enough full strength.

“Herdman’s innings was class, though we did give him a couple lives.

“But he capitalised fully.

The weather didn’t help our cause, but again we didn’t bat well enough as a unit, which was disappointing.”

Glenrothes captain Safyaan Shariff insisted his charges had the rough end of the rain-restriction regulations as Heriot’s gathered a tense and precious win at Goldenacre.

The international all-rounder stated: “The Duckworth Lewis formula played a big part when we had to chase.

“A target of 179 in 31 overs is tough at the best of times, so I think we did pretty well to get within five runs of getting the verdict.

“We will take lots of positives from the experience and we know that our fielding and catching could have been better.

“That gave Heriot’s more runs than they should have had.”

Home skipper Keith Morton added: “It was a big relief to get over the line in the end.

“The series of rain stoppages took the momentum out of the match and turned it into a scrappy affair.

“We were not at our best, so that made the result all the more welcome.”

Morton added: “One big plus was the display of our Zimbabwean amateur Sean Hinmers.

“He worked hard against the bowling of Safyaan to grind out a half century which proved crucial.

“He then stuck well to his bowling plan.”

Falkland remain rooted at the foot of the table, thanks to their 17-run loss to newly promoted SMRH at Scroggie Park.

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