Home win in Division Four
Chris Ross led a youthful Hamilton Crescent XI in their first home game of the season against Glenpark. The team's inaugural season has thus far been truncated by rain and the lads were keen to kick start their season and put down a clear marker to WDCU Division Four. Despite the ‘home’ fixture, the West boys were in unfamiliar surroundings with the fixture being played at New Williamfield. However the adjustment was made all the more easy by collecting a traditional West tea in the morning.
So, to the cricket. Glenpark lost the toss and the enigmatic West skipper decided to stick them in despite a quality track: Such confidence in the bowlers may (must?) have inspired what was to come.
Ross Wilson started beautifully hitting a nagging back of a length line and using the bounce in the wicket to have the Glenpark opener caught behind. Wilson was supported by Ruttala from the other end who swung the ball away from the batsmen holding a tremendous line and length. Another early wicket followed, a tremendous catch from Galloway at gully dislodged the Glenpark number three.
Glenpark now had an experienced pair at the crease and the wily veterans used all their know how to stem the tide and keep the score board ticking over from one end. From the other end young Robbie Walsh showed his prodigious talent and hit his line and lengths like a man playing his 100th senior game.
West stuck at it despite the regular falling of the rain and some lusty blows from the Glenpark batsmen. On came Gordon Bratt, another West junior, who changed the course of the game. Bratt took 4-23 and continually troubled the batsmen. Once West began to take wickets they got on top and did not relent, wickets fell regularly. Wilson returned and proceeded to take a further three, linking up with Karthik behind the stumps several more times. Wilson finished 4-29 and fully deserved the opportunity to buy a jug for those able to drink it.
West eventually bowled Glenpark out for 126. Wilson and Bratt doing the damage, however the containing job from Walsh (6.5-1-12) cannot be ignored.
West took tea and prepared for the chase. Khartik and Nonhebel to the crease to begin. The openers approached the chase in a diligent fashion setting an early platform before Nonhebel fell for a enjoyable 18 which included several attacking shots on either side of the wicket that caught the eye.
Galloway joined Khartik at the crease and attacked the chase in swashbuckling manner. Some beautiful lofted drives down the ground showed that the old Andy Galloway was indeed alive and well.
Skipper, Ross eventually joined Khartik at the crease to see the chase home. Khartik finally falling for 41 with the scores almost level.
Ross and Collins saw the game home with West taking the win by 7 wickets. The inexorable march of Hamilton Crescent has begun.
Mention must go to all juniors who played an integral role in the win: Collins and Trickett were vital in the field and were unfortunate not to get time in the middle.
