Another blank weekend
The rainfall in the Inverclyde area, which has been of biblical proportions during the month of May, caused yet another match cancellation at Glenpark on Saturday. Arbroath United were spared the long journey from the east coast as the continuing downpours ensured that no play would be possible and an early decision was taken to call the game off.
Despite having no game, Greenock actually moved up the Premiership table as results elsewhere worked in the local team’s favour. Having started the day in 13th position out of sixteen teams, the Glenpark men moved up two spots as a result of McCrea West of Scotland and Tunnocks Uddingston both losing their matches and thereby dropping their overall percentage.
Elsewhere in the SNCL Premiership, it was a good afternoon for a number of former Glenpark players. Scotland internationalist Fraser Watts ,now back in his native Edinburgh and playing with Carlton, scored a fine 79 in his side’s win against Watsonians, for whom Craig Wright top scored with 46 not out. At Goldenacre in Edinburgh, former Greenock players Adam Lockhart-Krause 82 and Sean Weeraratna 44 not out were key players for Heriots as they beat McCrea West .
Although Premiership fixtures are not replayed, Greenock now have an increasing backlog of West League Cup and Rowan Cup matches which will require to be completed mainly in midweek. Also next Sunday sees Greenock’s first match in this year’s Scottish Cup with a home game against McCrea West. Winners in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007 Greenock will be looking to have a good run in this year’s top competition.
Professional Luke Butterworth flies back to Australia on Monday to join the Australia A squad in advance of its tour to Zimbabwe and Greenock are hoping that New Zealand Test opening bat Tim McIntosh, who will be his replacement for June and July, can get here in time for next weekend’s important matches. All depends on the UK Border Agency processing his application in time otherwise Greenock will go into these two matches considerably disadvantaged.
Glenpark has a busy schedule throughout the season, 1st XI, Glenpark XI, Hillend XI and juniors fixtures all vying for use of the facility which has matches planned for most days each week. Groundsman Roger Hardie has had a near impossible task during May and will require to work wonders in the weeks ahead to enable the backlog of matches to be overtaken.
The Glenpark and Hillend XIs were also affected by the grim weather, their weekend fixtures being called off without any play being possible.