Glenpark XI hold on for a draw
Albert Park v Glenpark XI
Robbo & Greg after their defiant partnership
The Glenpark XI remain unbeaten after the opening two matches of the league programme following Saturday’s draw away from home at Albert Park (Weirs 2nd XI). This particular match will be remembered for the cold damp conditions, the 120 extras, the 8.30pm finish and John McGlynn’s girlfriend stoically watching from start to finish.
Mark Robertson won the toss and inserted the home side on what was a green and damp wicket. The tactic seemed to have paid dividends when the first three wickets had fallen with the total under 30 but Neil Greenwood and Afzal then dug in and runs began to accumulate.
With the Glenpark bowlers contributing to an almost runaway run rate due to far too many wayward deliveries, the home side reached a hundred in under 18 overs. When Greenwood (22) and Afzal (38) departed, both very well caught by Stuart Anderson in the deep, the run rate momentum was more than maintained by Hanif who took on the role of ‘chief plunderer’. He bludgeoned five 6s, five 4s and six 3s in his innings of 115 not out and could have had a much higher total but for the very slow outfield. Only Akram (29) provided any run scoring support as he took the visiting bowlers to task.
The Glenpark team, which granted was a fairly makeshift XI due to unavailability of players from both 1st and 2nd XIs, nonetheless contributed to its own almost four hours in the field. No fewer than 42 wides were bowled and six catches were put down........watch out for Juddy at training boys !
On the positive side Stuart Anderson took three fine catches , young Neil Flack gained experience keeping wicket and John McGlynn had his first practice session of 2010! Glenpark used six bowlers during the Albert Park innings with Mark Robertson 3 for 60 and John McGlynn 2 for 40, having the best analyses in what was an eminently forgettable team bowling performance.
Albert Park’s innings closed on 284 for 9 and that target seemed unassailable especially when Glenpark skipper Mark Robertson was adjudged LBW in the first over of the innings with Akram’s third delivery missing both off stump and leg stump and hitting middle. At fifty for three after 17 overs the outcome looked as bleak as the cold, overcast conditions.
Enter veteran Peter Robertson and young Greg McDougall. These two gradually added to the total and with each over grew more and more comfortable with the home side’s bowling. The hundred came up in the thirty-third over and one hundred and fifty was reached at the start of the forty-seventh over. They then threw caution to the wind and had a whirlwind last four overs to pass 175 and gain an extra batting point.
Robbo was not out 56 in an innings which included four 6s (one lost ball!) and Greg McDougall was not out 33.
For those who had placed bets that Glenpark’s bowling and fielding performance could not be outdone, it was the bookies who won yet again. The home side managed to concede 49 wides in a total of 65 extras and the number of missed catches exceeded the fingers on your correspondent’s two hands.
The excitement at the conclusion of the game at 8.30pm was not for the result....it was that the game had ended before total darkness descended !!
Albert Park (18 pts) 284 for 9 (50 overs) S Hanif 115*, S Afzal 38, MI Robertson 3-60
Glenpark XI (9 pts) 177 for 3 (50 overs) PE Robertson 56*, GJ McDougall 33*
Match drawn
Peter H
