Inter-club cricket is back!
Following months of uncertainty, the 2020 cricket season finally got under way a week ago and West of Scotland players wasted no time getting a flurry of matches under their belts.
First a scatter-gun XI went to Old Anniesland on Tuesday evening to play GHK in a T20 match that came down to the last over, with West losing by a solitary wicket.
On Friday, the season started for our Junior section, with the U14s joining up with Hillhead CC in the first of a series of games against a combined Glasgow Accies/GHK side. Our opposition managed to score an impressive 176-7, with wickets shared around the team, while Chris Collins turned on the style scoring 73* as West replied with 124-9 in their 20 overs. Meanwhile, there was an intra-club U12s game at Hamilton Crescent featuring 16 of West's youngsters.
On Saturday, the 1st XI went to Uddingston to play a 40-over game. West batted first with Graeme Etheridge knocking a 40 using an array of shots, with even the odd cricket one in there to boot! Having posted 158ao, Uddingston made light work of the chase winning in the 27th over - just one wicket down. Despite the result, it was a great opportunity for the club to take a look at some new players with four making their debut.
The 2nd XI were at home to Glasgow Accies, where both teams were bowled out for 85. Rumour has it that a super over was bowled, but the winner was kept secret and a tie declared a fair result. The club was delighted to welcome back Antony Hulatt from injury and he celebrated his return with four wickets, while Gavin Lynch took a five-for.
The Sunday XI – featuring some of our new adult beginners – travelled to Renfrew CC, but suffered a heavy defeat as the hosts posted 194. West could only muster 85ao in reply. The highlight of the game was Andrew Morris taking a three-for while bowling leg-spin, which he only took up in January of this year!
At Hamilton Crescent, the Women's Select XI took on our Development XI in an intra-club game. The Women's Select side batted first, with contributions across the board, but with no one individual pushing on to a big score. The side reached 118ao and it looked like it would be enough as Moon Mughis took early wickets to leave the Development XI 17-4 early on. However, youngster Tom Lord showed brilliant determination to dig in and soak up the bowling attack and he formed a solid 100 partnership with skipper Benedict Cole (50) at the other end to bring the game home.
Unfortunately, the rain put paid to the U16s and U12s games on Monday evening. One week into the season and we have had a last-over thriller, a day washed out and a tied game. Cricket is back at West of Scotland CC.
