Nail-biting finish for Glenpark XI
Glenpark XI v Kingholm
The sun gods, and a few other gods, shone down on Glenpark this weekend. Whilst the 1st XI battled icicles in Aberdeen, the local supporters battled sunburn as they were treated to an engrossing match of cricket.
Kingholm batted first and got off to a flyer as opening bat Coulter found the flat pitch and lightning outfield to his liking. It became a different game once Mark Robertson decided to take the pace off the ball by introducing himself and Tony Judd to the attack. Mark struck in his first over and the run rate steadily fell. Still the visitors were well placed at drinks at 131 for 3. However the spin twins continued to cast their spell and, with Tony assisting with inspired field placings, the runs dried up, pressure built and wickets fell. Sam Sanghera and Toby Thomson helped out with a brace of catches each, but Glenpark just couldn’t manage that final wicket – Kingholm finishing on 200 for 9. After their start Glenpark were chasing a lower total than they had first expected; one which appeared eminently getable in excellent batting conditions.
Peter Hempsey and Mark Robertson got the home team off to a steady start, but Peter’s wicket sparked a mini collapse and Glenpark were in trouble at 61 for 5, having been 38 without loss. The indefatigable Peter Robertson shared partnerships with Sam Sanghera and Dave Sharma, but both these batsmen had unfortunate dismissals just as the stands were building – Sam dragging a remarkably wide ball onto his wicket, and Dave hitting a full toss onto his pads then onto the stumps. When Peter was adjudged LBW things again looked glum at 137 for 8.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Fresh from last week’s unbeaten innings Greg McDougall found the bowling to his liking and managed the tail superbly. He shared a stand of 38 with Jeeta Singh, until the latter got out by what could only be bizarrely described as watching the ball hit his stumps! It was then time for cricket novice and last man Krishna Nayak to join Greg. With their hearts in their mouths, the enthralled crowd applauded every ball that was kept out, every wide bowled and every delivery that Greg smote to the boundary. There was an almighty cheer as Greg hit the winning runs and, as I sit here writing this at 11:30pm on Saturday evening, I suspect celebrations might still be going on.
I should be able to say it would have been a great game of cricket whoever won – but I don’t believe that in my heart! What I do feel is that the spirit shown today announces Glenpark as challengers for promotion.
Kingholm (10 pts) 200 for 9 (50 overs) MI Robertson 5-41
Glenpark XI (25 pts) 201 for 9 (47.2 overs) GJ McDougall 42*, PE Robertson 27, MI Robertson 26, SS Sanghera 26
Glenpark XI won by 1 wicket
Glenpark XI Man of the Match: Sorry Mark, but Greg McDougall just pipped you
Scooby Award: Mark Robertson – for several infractions: chastising the oppostion, who were only trying to be sociable, for sitting with the home team at teas; sitting a leaking jug of ice on the dressing room table; shouting at the Glenpark batting hero; bowling a double bouncer,…
'The Snake'
