June 26/27 Weekend Preview
Saturday 26th June - 1st XI v Uddingston
A contrite Greenock, still reeling from no fewer than four humiliating league and cup defeats on the trot, welcome Lanarkshire rivals Uddingston to Glenpark on Saturday in a battle of the under-achievers.
The June 5th victory over McCrae FS West must seem like a lifetime ago for captain McLaren as he attempts to rally a team now teetering, through a combination of injuries, unavailability and a massive loss of form and confidence on the precipice. It was never meant to be this way.
This week, selection will be no easier as at time of writing it is entirely likely that Rowan and Berrington will be declared non-combatants by their paymasters at Cricket Scotland whilst Prabhu and Wylie are definitely missing through injury and holidays respectively. McIntosh was also due to test his fitness midweek before declaring his availability for battle. If Berrington is not available, then this will be particularly galling for the local supporters as his talismanic presence is really needed not just by McLaren but by the entire club at this juncture. He was withdrawn by Cricket Scotland, citing a niggling injury, for the game against Dunfermline last Sunday and then played against India ‘A’ on Wednesday where he scored a match winning century and is scheduled to play against the same opponents on Friday at the same venue before departing with Scotland on Sunday to the Netherlands.
Uddingston were themselves hammered by Carlton last week having won 4 of their previous 5 outings before the defeat to the Edinburgh side but they will be looking to bounce back against their beleaguered opponents this Saturday. In Paul Hoffmann they still posses the most potent new ball bowler in the country as well as an explosive pinch hitter at the top of the order. They can also boast Sri Lankan Professional Rasika Priyadarshana who has yet to really make his presence felt in the SNCL. The indefatigable Ricki Bawa will take the new ball and skipper the side once more having passed the milestone of captaining his club for an incredible 150th time during the recent record breaking game against Grange when Uddingston chased down 340 to win by 5 wickets off the last ball. Former Greenock man Amir Gul will also feature with bat and ball as will both Bradley and Zia so there is plenty of all-round firepower to counter.
However as with most amateur teams, and some professional ones if truth be told, it really does depend which Uddingston turns up on the day. One firing on all cylinders will be a handful especially as the weather is set fair and the outfield is sure to be like glass. Notwithstanding all of the above I still maintain that even allowing for the plethora of talent posted missing in action for the various reasons already described the home team can still win this match if they apply themselves properly with the bat and bowl straight. After all, that’s all the teams that have beaten Greenock this term have done. Simples!!
GCC would like to thank Ball Sponsor – Brian Roberts, Match Sponsor – BPI plc and Presidential Suite Sponsor – David Campbell.
Saturday 26th June - Motherwell v Glenpark XI
The Glenpark XI had a thumping win last week against GHK/Strathclyde and will be hoping for more of the same this week when they travel to Motherwell. The home team are currently sitting in second bottom position in Division 3 and with the Glenparkers in fifth place, this represents a great chance to make up some ground on the top teams.
However, the availability problems with the 1st XI, linked to a number of the usual Glenparkers being unavailable, means that selection is delayed.
Sunday 27th June - Hillend XI v Weirs
It's back to league duty for the Hillend XI on Sunday when they welcome Weirs to Glenpark. With the weather forecast more than promising, this should attract a reasonable number of people to the ground, where they should be entertained by some of Greenock's up-and-coming youngsters, not to mention a few on the way down.
