Woodfarm          226 for 7

Inverclyde          126 for 6

WITH several players on holiday an understrength Inverclyde team put on a good performance against league leaders Woodfarm in Giffnock on Saturday but in the end were well beaten by the stronger 11.

The in-form Glasgow team elected to bat first in damp conditions and started well, with Inverclyde’s captain and opening bowler Gareth James only able to bowl two overs before a concussion injury meant that he had to leave the field.

However, Dave Mudie had Aamir well held by Stewart Blair’s one-handed catch in cover at 64 for 1 in the 14th over.

Then Cammy Gunn’s slower bowling deceived the top order batsmen, opener Hussain being stumped by Douglas Pilkington for 44, Raza bowled for 38 when he tried to beat the well set field, and Shabbir out leg before for 21.

Singh bowled Sarwat and then Khan, to leave the local side at 149 for 6 after 30 overs, with Inverclyde having a chance of keeping their target to well under 200.

However, the local captain Shaikh responded well until he was run out by Mahmood Ahmadzai’s direct hit from extra cover, the youngster having been unlucky earlier when his very confident leg before appeal early in opener Hussain’s innings was turned down.

Late runs from the tailenders stretched the Woodfarm total to 226 for 7 at the close of 40 overs, with Gunn finishing with 3 for 48, Singh 2 for 42, and Mudie 1 for 50.

Ahmadzai bowled well in his five overs, and although good fielding was displayed by Benny Deak, Ethan Burke and Ahmadzai himself, several chances were missed in the field and Inverclyde did miss the pace and penetration of captain James’ bowling attack.

Inverclyde’s opening batters started well until David Thomson was caught at point at 21 for 1.

Dave Cooke was joined by Gunn, who batted well, with the partnership taking the score to 60, when Gunn was unfortunate to play on for 15.

Another good partnership took the locals’ reply to 107 when Pilkington was caught at mid wicket for 16 trying to push the score. 

Three more wickets fell quickly but opener Cooke carried his bat to finish on a fine 47 not out, helped in the late overs by Benny Deak’s impressive defensive play which helped ensure that only six wickets were down at the close, but with Inverclyde well short of the Woodfarm total.         

Inverclyde are at home this Saturday when they play bottom side Blackhill at Gourock Park.