Greenock face Falkland in final Scottish Cup sectional match

Is it tempting fate to suggest that 1st XI cricket might return to Glenpark on Saturday for the first time since early June? Possibly. The forecast looks reasonably promising, so if Glenpark can dry out after literally weeks of wet weather, then the match against Falkland should go ahead.

Visitors Falkland play in the Cricket Scotland League Eastern First Division but are Greenock’s opponents at Glenpark tomorrow afternoon in the final match of Group E of the newly revamped Scottish Cup. Of the five matches to date which Greenock were meant to have played at this stage of the competition, the table shows only two have been able to be completed. A third on Saturday will at least mean 50% of games got played.

Scottish Cup 2012 - Group E

Standings: 

Team
Played
Won
NR
Lost
Pts
NRR
Carlton
5
2
3
0
7
 72.19
Greenock
5
1
3
1
5
  -6.32
NVT Poloc
5
0
4
1
4
-28.67
Falkland
5
0
4
1
4
-73.67

The table also indicates that section leaders Carlton are already pretty much assured of their place in the Scottish Cup quarter-final draw. Although only two points ahead of Greenock, their net run rate is far superior and even if Carlton were to lose to Poloc and Greenock beat Falkland, it is unlikely the Glenpark side would go top.

Greenock’s aim is therefore to win against Falkland and secure second top position which provides a routeway into the Plate Competiton (Scottish Cricket Union Trophy).

For most of Greenock’s players, it will be almost like the start of the season all over again, such is the time which has elapsed since their last 1st XI competitive match. However, one player, Alex Baum, has had some cricket thanks to a small number of regional and university cricket matches which managed to beat the incessant rainfall of recent weeks. He will be in the Greenock side which will be missing his opening batting partner Shailesh Prabhu and internationalist Richie Berrington who is on Scottish Saltires duty in Somerset

Prabhu’s absence is a blow, as he is without doubt Greenock’s most obvious opening bat and he has been developing a good understanding with Baum at the top of the order. Who will fill the opening position is still in doubt. Berrington too will be a major loss as he can contribute significantly with both bat and ball. Chris Hempsey who has often opened for the Gleanprk XI could be asked to move up from his lower middle order position to partner Baum.

Whichever pair is eventually selected to take on the task, it is important that Greenock make a solid start to their innings and then go on to build a large total or chase down the runs if batting second.

Others who will be looked to for runs will be Mpho Sekhoto, team captain Ryan Begley and also Mark Robertson and Jonathan Hempsey. South African professional Sekhoto has not yet had a big score for the Club which has not been helped by the lack of matches in recent weeks. He is keen to have a big innings against Falkland at Glenpark and will be fully focused on that task when he gets his chance on Saturday.

Ryan Begley has had several useful scores this season including 41 not out when Greenock played their last competitive Saturday match on th June against McCrea West at Hamilton Crescent and Hempsey has had one fifty to his name this season. Mark Robertson has had few opportunities to bat in 2012 but has the ability to put together a significant innings if he gets in.

Visitors Falkland are largely an unknown quantity for Greenock as this will be their first visit to Glenpark. The Fifers play in the East of Scotland and are close rivals with one of Scotland’s best known cricket teams, Freuchie, who became national icons when they won the UK National Village Cup at Lord’s back in 1985.

In the East League First Division, Falkland have won three out of the four matches they have played but, just like Greenock, have not had a competitive match since Saturday 9 June. The Fife villagers are in second top position in their league and have a number of players in their side about whom Greenock will need to be aware. In their bowling line-up Nick Lockyer has been a regular wicket-taker with three wickets in each of Falkland’s league matches played. Other bowlers who have also shown form include Wayne Sullivan, Brock Ditchman, Craig Hepburn and Ryan Hepburn.

Batting wise, Falkland have not had made big scores this season and indeed have only scored over 90 runs in one out of the five competitive matches played. So perhaps that is their Achilles heel. Batsmen who have gained some runs are David Gray, Wayne Sullivan and Nick Lockyer. Greenock must look to ensure that the Fifers' batting form does not show any improvement on Saturday.

Greenock Cricket Club wish to thank Match Sponsor, Café Continental, for their generous support.

The Glenpark XI travel to Glasgow to meet Glasgow Accies in their final Western Cup group match. The team has not been finalised as yet but has been seriously affected by the absences in the 1st XI and by holidays and work requirements. It is understood that the New Anniesland ground has suffered badly from the recent deluges but if it recovers in time, the match will start at 1pm.

On Sunday, the Hillend XI travel to Meikleriggs in Paisley to play a WDCU Sunday League fixture against Ferguslie, that was postponed from earlier in the season. Their team has yet to be finalized or the match which starts at 2pm.