Campbell rolls back the years but to no avail
Deanpark v Glenpark XI
Western Cup
Saturday 27th April
For the second week running Glenpark arrived for their match without a full team – ten was better than eight, but again required a mix of junior juniors and senior seniors (including the current and an ex-president).
Fielding first again Dave Sharma started steadily, but it was Ben Peterson who made the breakthrough, clean bowling the Renfrew opener. Glenpark’s woes were compounded when first change bowler Sandeep Singh pulled a hamstring, but he gamely carried on. With Dave picking up a wicket late in his spell, honours were fairly even at drinks. A third wicket partnership of 65 in quick time put the home team ahead and it looked as if a total in excess of 200 was on the cards. Sandeep and Harry Briggs then both had success to stem the run flow, and skipper Peter Hempsey turned to Kieran Wylie and the returning Ben to bowl out the innings. They kept the runs down superbly, Ben getting two further wickets (including a second catch behind the stumps for Peter Hempsey), and the final total was a competitive 186.
Glenpark still required their top order to shine if they were to come out victors, unfortunately that didn’t happen losing Peter Hempsey, Harry and Ben early on. Dave and David Campbell consolidated but, for the second week running, Dave picked out a fielder just when they looked to accelerate. After another quick wicket things looked bleak for the visitors. Cometh the hour, cometh the veterans as Peter Robertson joined David to roll the years back. Gradually increasing the scoring rate they ate into the target, but were frustrated by the slow outfield preventing the ball crossing the boundary. As fatigue set in and the required rate climbed, Peter finally perished trying to repeat a pull for six; the pair putting on 59 runs. With just the youngsters left, David tried hard to keep up the momentum but ran out of partners as the team was bowled out in the last over for a respectable 155.
It now looks unlikely that Glenpark will qualify for the next round of the Western Cup, but they will be keen to put out a stronger side and performance in the local derby against Inverclyde next week. Home support will be much appreciated, with the match due to start at 1pm
Deanpark (2 pts) 186 for 6 (40 overs) R Ahmed 41, S Rasput 39, P Majeed 30; BR Peterson 3 for 36
Glenpark XI (0 pts) 155 (39.3 overs) DS Campbell 34*, PE Robertson 34, DC Sharma 32; M Majeed 4 for 38, P Goodwin 3 for 30
Deanpark won by 31 runs
Glenpark XI Man of the Match: Difficult this week. Peter Robertson batted well, Ben Peterson bowled well, and Dave Sharma had a decent all round game but, for sheer spectacle, the award goes to David Campbell for his gutsy innings.
Scooby Award: Again a personal selection as there were too few players in the dressing room to take a vote, but I think it’s well-earned by Ben Peterson for going out to field with his trousers back-to-front!
'The Snake'
