Hempsey too good again for Helensburgh

Glenpark XI v Helensburgh

Following his century earlier this season against the same opposition, Jonathan Hempsey played a match-winning innings against Helensburgh in Thursday evening’s Western Cup match.

Batting first, Glenpark got off to a shaky start as Mark Robertson picked out a fielder and Aidan Forrest succumbed to a direct hit run out. Then Phil McIntosh and Jonathan quickly got into their stride and the run rate never let up from thereon in. After Phil’s dismissal the subsequent batsmen mainly concentrated on giving Jonathan the strike as he found the boundary at will, though Ben Peterson contributed with some lusty blows himself. The innings closed on 144 in the allocated 20 overs, with Jonathan remaining unbeaten and having scored more than half the total.

Initially Glenpark had felt quite confident of defending their score but they decided to make things difficult for themselves. Bowling well enough, the home team dropped a flurry of catches, with Jeeta Singh suffering the most, having three catches dropped in his two overs. Phil did have success at the other end taking two wickets in his opening spell, but Helensburgh kept the rate at about a run-a-ball to keep themselves on target. The second half of the innings turned things around as Mark and Jonathan put the brakes on – both players also showing how it’s done by taking their opportunities for boundary catches. Ben Peterson and Greg McDougall bowled in the same manner and in the end the win was quite comfortable but, not for the first time this season, Glenpark’s fielding was their weakest link.

Glenpark XI 144 for 6 (20 overs) JPC Hempsey 73*

Helensburgh 125 for 7 (20 overs)

Glenpark XI Man of the Match:  Jonathan Hempsey

scorecard

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