July 17/18 Weekend Preview

Saturday 17th July - 1st XI v Carlton

Greenock entertain a powerful looking Carlton side at Glenpark on Saturday hoping to build upon their encouraging performance with the bat against Aberdeenshire last weekend.

Despite boasting one of the most talented batting lineups in the country it still remains a mystery why Carlton have, and indeed fully deserve, the tag of serial under-achievers. Tomorrow they boast the fearsome foursome of current internationalists Mommsen, Drummond, former Greenock player Fraser Watts and locally born Ross Lyons. Add into pot the previously capped Gilmour, Kerr and Cedric English and one has to wonder just why they have not dominated both the league and the cup in recent years but they haven’t. Carlton lie in fifth place having lost four of their previous ten fixtures although like their hosts they have suffered from being unable to pick their best side each week due to international commitments and that does hurt. They will be keen to do the double over the home team having beaten Greenock by 8 wickets back in May with Watts (52), Mommsen (97) and English (73*) all making hay with the bat.

The only Carlton player missing for tomorrow’s game is Ali Evans who is in Jersey with Scotland ‘A’ as is Greenock all-rounder Willie Rowan. However Greenock are hoping that they will be able to field Richie Berrington which will help compensate for the loss of Rowan who was cut short in his prime on 94 last Saturday with a well earned century beckoning. Berrington has been the man-of-the-season for Scotland this summer and not surprisingly he has now popped up on the radar of at least four English County sides all of whom are eager to sign the young Greenock prodigy. Assuming he plays tomorrow this may well prove to be his swansong at Glenpark but although he will be sadly missed everyone at the Club wishes him well with his new career and he departs with his head held high. Greenock should also be able to welcome back youngster Alex Baum who has been playing in the north east of England these past two weekends at the invitation of Durham County Cricket Club.

Sadly the weather proved to be the winner last Saturday with a home victory appearing odds-on and the weather will again feature this weekend with heavy rain prevailing over Glenpark for much of this past week. The ground is under water but the wicket has been covered if somewhat under worked due to the torrential and frequent showers. I cannot see the home side overcoming Carlton as they just possess too many match-winning options with both bat and ball. I could be wrong as this has not been unknown in the past.

GCC would like to thank Ball Sponsor – Scott Forrest, Match Sponsor – W. B. Hall (Sales & Service) and Presidential Suite Sponsor – Stephen Wylie

Saturday 17th July - Hamilton v Glenpark XI

The Glenpark XI are off to Lanarkshire on Saturday to play second-place Hamilton in what is a key match for the Glenparkers as they seek promotion from Division 3 of the Western Union.