GORDON Shaw, the Drumpellier captain, admitted he could barely believe the Houdini Act his team produced to claim a morale-boosting win over Greenock on Saturday.
Having been bowled out for just 54 at Langloan, Drumps looked dead and buried as the visitors cruised to 40-1.
However, inspired by left-arm spinner Ally Rawlinson, the Lanarkshire team proceeded to claim six wickets without conceding a single run and shell-shocked, panic-stricken Greenock then slumped to 50 all out.
Shaw said: “It’s one of the most amazing games I’ve played in. At half-time we were remaining positive and hoping for early wickets to put them under pressure.
“However, at 40-1 think we all thought the game was gone and to be honest that was probably the odds at that point.
“Then Rawli turned back the clock with an unbelievable spell – he ripped through them and they lost eight wickets for one run.
“Will Leslie also bowled superbly, picking up three wickets including a great ball to remove their pro.
“The last wicket was nerve-wracking as I thought their two batsmen might hang around and it took a great catch to end it.”
Rawlinson, who claimed 5-12, only played following a personal plea from Shaw who added: “He’s been struggling with other commitments. However, our pro got delayed so I called him during the week and said I needed him and he agreed to play.
“Thankfully, it has paid off.”
Earlier, Greenock were the dominant force, Indian Saurabh Bandekar and Jonathan Hempsey each claiming four wickets while only Leslie reached double figures for Drumps.
A second wicket stand between Zac Barrenechea (21) and Neil Flack (13) put the visitors firmly on course until that remarkable collapse saw them slump to 41-9 and, despite a valiant effort from their final pair, they fell short.
If Drumpellier dug themselves out of a whole with the ball, Lanarkshire neighbours Uddingston produced a recovery of their own – this time with the bat – to secure a memorable win against champions Ferguslie at Meikleriggs.
Having dismissed the Paisley team for 104, Uddy were buoyant until four wickets each from Jamey Carruthers and Adil Ghaffar reduced them to 50-8.
However, an unbroken stand between Niall Alexander (35no) and skipper Bryan Clarke (21no) sealed an unlikely win.
Clarke admitted: “We were shot – the guys couldn’t get anything going at all but Niall takes the plaudits. He showed a really calm head and we were able to dig in and eventually wear them down.
“To their credit they fought very hard – you don’t get an easy game at Ferguslie!”
The low-scoring theme was continued elsewhere with Poloc dismissed for 68 at Shawholm, the home bowlers then fighting back to claim seven wickets before Prestwick prevailed thanks to 38 from Fraser Macdonald.
Clydesdale, sent in to bat at New Williamfield, were another team who failed to reach three figures but their 98 proved enough for a 27-run win over Stirling.
West of Scotland were the division’s top scorers, making 174 with Lucas Farndale hitting 46 to pave the way for a 32-run win at East Kilbride.
