Hillend XI win well against Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock 105 all out
Hillend XI 106 for 1 wicket
The Hillend XI (Greenock's 3rd XI) scored an emphatic win over Kilmarnock at Glenpark on Sunday afternoon in their opening WDCU Sunday League Division 3 - West fixture. Played in bright sunshine, but in chilly conditions, the margin of victory was nine wickets.
Batting first, Kilmarnock scored 105 runs but were all out in the last of their 35 overs. The opening pair of Johnstone and Azeem put together a partnership of nearly 50 runs before Greg McDougall bowled Azeem for 22. Wickets tumbled regularly after this first breakthrough and when Johnstone was adjudged LBW to the bowling of young Harry Briggs, there began almost a procession back to the Clubhouse as the visitors batsmen were unable to make any impression on the Greenock bowling.
Kevin Flack used six bowlers and everyone picked up at least one wicket. Sam Sanghera with 2 wickets for 8 runs from 7 overs and Harry Briggs with 2 wickets for 5 runs from four overs, were the pick of home side bowlers.
In reply, Hillend were always in command with Neil Flack and Brian Roberts opening the innings and putting on over 40 runs before Roberts was clean bowled for 21. Flack was joined by Jamie Small and these two batted well and took the home side past the visitors' total after just nineteen overs. Small was unbeaten on 21 while Neil Flack carried his bat for 44 excellent runs which included 8 boundaries.
This was an excellent start to the season for the Hillend XI and it was especially pleasing to see two of the team's younger players make the bulk of the runs, not to mention Harry Briggs impressive bowling. It is to youngsters like these that Greenock must look for their future.
