Glenpark XI no match for Shawholm
Shawholm XI v Glenpark XI
CSL Western First Division Reserve League
Saturday 8th June
It was a fairly predictable result at Shawholm this Saturday, playing one of the strongest sides in the league there was a too familiar make up to the Glenpark team, with no players between the ages of 20 and 45! However, even though the game went as expected, it wasn’t without a degree of controversy.
Batting first, the Glenpark openers Dave Sharma and Peter Hempsey had a difficult time as the bowlers found some swing and variable bounce with the new ball – thankfully the leg-side wide rule kept the scoreboard ticking over! After good deliveries got rid of Peter and, a couple of balls later Chris Goan, Niall Forrest and Dave looked to see off the openers and stabilise the innings. They were making slow progress when there was another double blow with Niall and Peter Robertson losing their wickets, again in the same over.
Louis Ware and Dave tried to rebuild again when the controversy struck. Dave lost sight of a full-pitched delivery over the sightscreen and was bowled, but the square-leg umpire deemed the ball illegal for passing the batsmen over waist high. Shawholm countered that it was not a no-ball if it hits the wicket (which sounded unlikely), or it had to be over shoulder-high if the ‘keeper was standing up (which sounded more credible). Dave stated it was his understanding that the shoulder-high rule related to a slow bowler, in this case the ‘keeper was standing up to a seam bowler to keep the batsman in the crease. In the end no copy of the rules were readily available and, in the interest of harmony and trusting the home team would not fabricate the rule, Dave was given out. (This reporter has had the chance to review the rules and the ball was in fact illegal).
After that there was little resistance other than from Fraser Godsman, who displayed some fine driving. The innings did reach three figures, but only courtesy of 41 extras!
With Dave carrying a calf strain, Fraser opened the bowling and struck in his first over hitting the top of the off stump of Shawholm’s opener. Unfortunately that was the only success. The Glenpark bowlers suffered a similar problem with wide deliveries and also bowled enough loose deliveries for the batsmen to punish; reaching their target in under 20 overs.
In the end the only bright spot for Glenpark was the weather! The controversy had little bearing on the outcome of the match. The inability to field a consistent and capable team, particularly not having those in their cricketing prime, will dictate where Glenpark end up in the league; on this evidence a challenge for top spot looks unlikely.
Glenpark XI (1 pt) 105 (35.3 overs) Extras 41 (!!); A Scott 3 for 16, H Mahmood 3 for 36
Shawholm XI (12 pts) 106 for 1 (19.1 overs) A Kayani 48*, E Rousen 32*
Shawholm XI won by 9 wickets
Glenpark XI Man of the Match: No good performances unfortunately so, if for nothing else but showing future promise, this week’s award goes to Fraser Godsman.
Scooby Award: This week goes to Niall Forrest. During the drinks break for Shawholm’s innings, Niall asked Peter Hempsey if he had an update from the 1st XI match. Peter was obliged to inform Niall that he did not tend to carry his ‘phone and check messages while keeping wicket!
'The Snake'
