Weakened Glenpark XI no match for Titwood XI
Titwood XI v Glenpark XI
There was no shock result as Glenpark were blown away on a blustery day at Titwood on Saturday. Facing a team comfortable in the WDCU 1st division last year, Glenpark needed to field a strong side just to be competitive. Unfortunately it was decimated by 1st XI call ups (seven players moving up from last week’s winning team), and was balanced between those with too little experience – and those with too much!
Fielding first Dave Sharma struggled to find his line in the windy conditions, though still managed to beat the outside edge frequently when he got it right. Opening partner Reece Armstrong faired little better and was soon replaced by Kevin Flack, who bowled with more control. There was little in the wicket for the bowlers, even for golden-arm Mark Robertson, but they persevered with occasional success and, for the most part kept the run rate in check. However a final ten overs costing over a hundred runs put paid to any thoughts of a realistic target. The final total was 296, aided by 60 extras, including 48 wides! It was noteworthy that 34 of the overs were bowled by players over the age of 40!
It was hoped that the response might bring about some respect, and perhaps maximum bonus points, but things did not bode well as the Glenpark openers, Dave Sharma and Brian Roberts, both went out sporting injuries. Sure enough neither lasted long, and with Dougie Moore unluckily having his stumps hit via his inside edge, Glenpark were soon struggling at 17 for 3. The middle order batsmen Mark Robertson, Peter Robertson, Scott Forrest and Kevin Flack all got starts, but none went on to an innings of substance – Peter Robertson top scoring with 19 (behind extras with 20!). In the end the innings succumbed a full 200 runs in arrears; not a performance to be fondly remembered.
Next weekend is another tough match against the old enemy Meikleriggs – fingers crossed that Glenpark can field a stronger team for that challenge.
Titwood XI (12 pts) 296 for 8 (50 overs) F Sher 64*, D Forsyth 46, N Fulton 41
Glenpark XI (4 pts) 96 all out (28.3 overs)
Glenpark XI lost by 200 runs
Glenpark XI Man of the Match: Neil Flack – with little to celebrate the young keeper had a good day behind the stumps with two catches and two stumpings.
Scooby Award: Malcolm Gerrard – a trio of offences. Deciding to change his white shirt to go out to umpire in case he was mistaken for a fielder – although he was already in grey shorts! Being verbal to the opposition umpire for clearly getting a decisions right! Finally asking as umpire, when the game was about to resume after Dougie Moore had been bowled out, whether the batsmen had crossed!!
'The Snake'
