Greenock Cricket Club
Glenpark, Brisbane Street, Greenock, PA16 8NY
Founded 1862
The 1st XI capped an excellent weekend by defeating Dunfermline & Carnegie by 5 wickets to reach the semi-final of the CS Challenge Cup on Sunday. Their opponents batted first but from 46 for 1 they quickly collapsed to be dismissed for just 75. Chirag Pandher with 3 for 13 and Nikhil Kadyan with 3 for 14 were the key bowlers for the 1st XI. In reply, the team were stunned by the quick dismissals of Callum Henry and Skipper Aryan Sanghera but Harry Briggs (17) and Cammy Calder (27) ensured that there would be no issues with reaching the winning score. Chirag Pandher and Sam Sanghera finished the game off as the 1st XI reached 76 for 5. Peter Hempsey has written a brief report on the match that sees the club reach its first cup semi-final since the 2011 season.
Strathmore won a thrilling match with Crescent by 1 wicket to qualify to meet the 1st XI in the semi-final which is scheduled for Glenpark on 27th July.
The 1st XI romped to victory over Glasgow Accies in glorious sunshine at Glenpark when another unbeaten century from Callum Henry was the highlight. Accies batted first and would be pleased to reach 204 after being 109 for 5 at one point. Faheemgul Dinarkhel with 4 for 48 and Muhibullah Ahmadzai with 3 for 31 were the leading wicket-takers for the home attack. In reply, another half-century opening partership from Henry and skipper Aryan Sanghera set the 1st XI on the path to victory and whilst there was a slight wobble at 133 for 4, an unbeaten partnership of 74 by Henry (111) and Sam Sanghera (31) saw the team home. Henry's knock off just 79 balls with 15 boundaries and 2 sixes meant that victory was achieved by the first ball of the 31st over. Peter Hempsey's weekly report details the events of a game that will be remembered for Callum Henry's outstanding knock.
Meanwhile the Glenpark XI surrendered their 100% record when Milngavie 2nd XI defeated them by 4 wickets at Garscube. Glenpark batted first and half-centuries from Moiz Mansoor (51) and Mohammad Zeeshan (55) saw them to 204 for 9 in their 40 overs. Milngavie wickets fell at fairly regular intervals but the batsmen always seemed to be in control and a 6th wicket partnership of 46 was the key to their victory.
With the weather set fair for the weekend, the 1st XI face two games at Glenpark which may well define their season. It has been very difficult to build any sort of momentum this season given the number of games ruined by the weather but two wins this weekend are essential. On Saturday they play Glasgow Accies and having lost the last league game played to Langside they will want to ensure that they get back on the winning trail. When they played Accies earlier in the season an unbeaten century from Callum Henry saw them to a comfortable victory and a repeat of that form should be enough. The match, which starts at 12 noon, will be streamed live at this link.
Sunday brings the quarter-final of the CS Challenge Cup when Dunfermline & Carnegie provide the opposition. The latter currently sit at the top of ESCA Division 2 which is the fourth level of cricket in the East of Scotland. They seem to be in good form and gained an easy win over Motherwell in the last round so they are not a team that the 1st XI can afford to take lightly if they wish to proceed in the competition. The 40 overs per side fixture starts at 1pm and will be streamed live at this link.
The Glenpark XI have had rotten luck this season with the weather, having completed just four games. But they have won them all and sit joint top of the Championship Three table along with Mearns Challengers, a position they will be keen to maintain when they travel to Garscube to play Milngavie 2nd XI. When the teams met earlier in the season, the result was a straightforward win for Eddie Ahmad's team by 7 wickets and something similar will do nicely this Saturday. The match will start at 12 noon but will not be streamed.
Unsurprisingly, Friday's deluge put paid to the chances of any cricket on Saturday with both the 1st XI and Glenpark XI being called off due to the saturated nature of the grounds.
Conditions had improved sufficiently on Sunday to allow the Hillend XI's Sunday League game with Irvine Spartans to proceed. Irvine made 126 for 9 in their allotted 32 overs, Dilpory, Leema and Zeeshan each taking 2 wickets for Hillend. Cammy Calder (34) and Mohammed Zeeshan (32) put on 81 for the first wicket in reply before both retired but the remaining batsmen made rather heavy weather of their task before Hillend reached their target with 6 wickets down, thereby maintaining their 100% record in Sunday League Division 2.
The 1st XI now know that they will be meeting Dunfermline & Carnegie in the quarter-finals of the CS Challenge Cup on Sunday 13th July at Glenpark after Dunfermline easily overcame Motherwell in their delayed second round tie. At least the current forecast predicts that all the weekend games will go ahead which, if the case, will be welcomed by all the Club's players and suppporters.
The June monthly draw for the Glenpark Supporters Prize Draw (GSPD) was carried out on Saturday 28th June 2025. The four lucky winners were Bruce McKechnie, Alan Park, John Semple and Susan Hempsey.
Congratulations to everyone on their wins.
The next draw will take place on Saturday 26th July 2025 for the usual monthly prizes.
We are always looking for new members to join the draw, the receipts from which are used to improve the facilities of the Club for all members. If you wish to join, please contact Brian Papworth using the details to be found at the Contacts link at the top of this page.
The 1st XI made the most of their good fortune in winning the coin toss for their cancelled first round CS Challenge Cup tie with Dundee HSFP when they easily overcame Kilmarnock in their second round tie at Glenpark on Sunday. The Ayrshire team were dismissed for just 98 when they batted first with Lombard the only batsman to make a show with 41. There were two wickets apiece for Calder, Muhibullah Ahmadzai, McDougall and newcomer Leema as the attack amply compensated for the absence of Will Jenkins. When the 1st XI batted, they wasted little time in reaching their target, taking just 15.3 overs to make 102 for 3, Callum Henry getting back into form with an unbeaten 53 to see his team home in style. Dunfermline Carnegie or Motherwell await the 1st XI in the next round, the match due to be played at Glenpark on Sunday 13th July. These two teams play off next Sunday to decide who goes forward.
Disappointment was the outcome when the 1st XI met Langside on Saturday. In truth, they never really recovered from losing the prolific Callum Henry to the first ball of the innings when batting first and although they recovered to reach 80 for 2 at one point, the introduction of Anwar Hafeez saw them subside to 103 all out in just under 34 overs. Will Jenkins was the only batsman to make any headway against the Langside attack with 36 as Hafeez took 5 for 18 in 8.5 overs.
When Langside batted, they were quickly reduced to 24 for 3 but that was as good as it got as the Glasgow side lost only one other wicket as they reached their target in the 29th over. Peter Hempsey's weekly report covers the details of a match that provided a most disappointing result for the team.
The Glenpark XI maintained their 100% league record when they comfortably defeated Kirkstyle by 134 runs. Skipper Eddie Ahmad made 50 and Usman Mansoor 47 as the Glenparkers amassed 203 for 9 in their 40 overs. In reply, Kirkstyle were dismissed for just 69 in 18 overs.
After three futile efforts to play Dundee HSFP in the first round of the CS Challenge Cup, the 1st XI finally progressed to the next round of the competition when the coin, tossed at the Cricket Scotland offices, fell the right way. The team will now play Kilmarnock at Glenpark on this coming Sunday, 29th June. Just a pity that the current forecast is for rain on that day. Surely, there can't be four successive Sundays ruined by rain.
At long last the sun shone on Glenpark and the 1st XI took full advantage of the improved weather when defeating Helensburgh by 9 wickets. Once again, Callum Henry was in supreme form, his unbeaten 100, scored off 109 balls, ensuring that the bowlers' efforts in dismissing Helensburgh for 167 did not go to waste. He was assisted by skipper Aryan Sanghera who scored 27 in an opening partnership of 119. Nikhil Kadyan was the top bowler, his 6 for 22 off 10 overs reducing Helensburgh to 77 for 7 before a terrific innings of 85 from Lance Trueman took the score to 167 before Trueman was last man out. Peter Hempsey's weekly report describes the action on a day when summer returned to Glenpark and the 1st XI reacted positively to this.
The Glenpark XI's fixture with Clydesdale Bees on Sunday was another victim of the returning rain.
For the fourth Saturday running, the weather interfered with the Western Union programme. Both the 1st XI and Glenpark XI games were called off without a ball being bowled, a fate suffered throughout the west of Scotland.
As feared, Sunday's Challenge Cup tie with Dundee HSFP was cancelled due to ground conditions. Another attempt will be made next Sunday to play the game and this time there has to be some form of conclusion, even if it is a coin toss, as the next round is scheduled for 29th June.
However, the Hillend XI did manage to play on Sunday, their fixture away to Uddingston Development XI in Division 2 of the Sunday League, resulting in a 24 run victory in a match reduced to 30 overs per side.
And dare we say it but the forecast looks more promising for the coming week. Fingers and toes firmly crossed!
The Hillend XI got their Midweek League Division Three campaign off to the best possible start when they defeated Marress by 10 wickets at Glenpark on Tuesday evening. Marress batted first and notched up an impressive 151 for 4 in their 20 overs with 50s from David Ingram and Abdullah. Hillend's openers, Ewan Stewart and Mohammad Zeeshan, started steadily but gradually upped the tempo and the Marress total was overtaken by the second ball of the 19th over. Zeeshan was unbeaten on 86, a fine innings which contained 11 4s, while Stewart made 35 as Hillend won by 10 wickets. What a start!
At one point it seemed that the 1st XI would beat the weather forecast and complete their game with Stirling County. Unfortunately that did not prove to be the case as rain was the winner once again, causing the game to be abandoned at the tea interval with Stirling on 170 for 5 after 40 overs. Peter Hempsey has written a brief report to describe what action did take place before the rain intervened.
The Glenpark XI's game with Bute County & Cowal at Glenpark did not start due to the rain, the second league game in a row that the team has had cancelled without a ball being bowled.
The May monthly draw for the Glenpark Supporters Prize Draw (GSPD) was carried out on Saturday 31st May 2025. The four lucky winners were Peter Allwood, Brian Lang, Tommy McGeown and Ronnie McKnight.
Just 21 overs play were possible on Saturday when the 1st XI met East Kilbride at Glenpark. The home team were inserted by the opposition, given that the game was likely to be a DLS one, and made a solid start, with Callum Henry maintaining his good form with an unbeaten 40 as the score reached 86 for 3 when a persistent heavy downpour brought the game to a premature end. Here's hoping for better luck next Saturday although it has to be said that this week's forecast is not at all promising.
The Hillend XI's game with GHK Crow Road on Sunday was another victim of the current inclement weather.
The good weather that has been such a feature of the last few weeks disappeared just in time to ensure both the 1st XI and Glenpark XI games today were called off without a ball being bowled.
The 1st XI suffered another league reverse on Saturday when their 213 for 8 was not enough to keep West of Scotland at bay in the Glenpark sunshine. The team got off to a poor start, slumping to 14 for 3, before Will Jenkins (43) and Nikhil Kadyan (36) righted the ship and the lower order continued the recovery through Ewan Stewart (32*), Sam Sanghera (23) and Muhibullah Ahmadzai (14*). Two early wickets promised much in West's reply but the visiting batsmen got on top and did not relinquish their hold on the game, easing to a 6 wicket victory.
Sunday's match at New Anniesland was another matter as Glasgow Accies were easily defeated by 7 wickets to get the team off the mark in the league. Accies were bowled out for 197 with Will Jenkins taking 4 for 44, including the hat-trick, and Faheemgul Dinarkhel 2 for 21. In reply, the 1st XI batsmen did not hang around and the runs were knocked off in just 28.4 overs. Callum Henry with an unbeaten 108 off just 84 balls was the hero and he got good backing from Aryan Sanghera (26) and Sehmat Pandher (21).
Peter Hempsey provides a full report on Saturday's game and brief details on Sunday's match in his weekly update.
The Glenpark XI maintained their unbeaten run, easily defeating Ardrossan by 8 wickets. Once again all the bowlers got involved with Samim Haidary with 3 for 20 taking the honours as Ardrossan were restricted to 109. Glenpark shrugged off the early loss of Yakoob Hayat and Rakesh Kumar (39) and Usman Mansoor (29*) with a partnership of 83 set the team on the road to another win, the target being reached for the loss of just 2 wickets. Next week's encounter against Mearns Challengers promises to be a big game for the Glenparkers.
The Glenpark XI made it two wins out of two in Western Championship Three as they overcame Milngavie 2nd XI by 7 wickets at a sun-kissed Glenpark on Saturday. Milngavie batted first but apart from a brief flurry from their third-wicket pair, were unable to cope with Glenpark's bowling. Samim Haidary with 4 for 11 and the ageless Dave Sharma with 4 for 25 were the men that did the damage. In reply, Glenpark stuttered to 22 for 3, but skipper Eddie Ahmad joined Rakesh Kumar to see their team safely home to victory. Kumar finished unbeaten on 25 and Ahmad on 22.
We are delighted to announce the return of Dave Sharma in his role as the Glenpark XI reporter and the first of his occasional musings can be found here. Welcome back, Dave and well bowled, old man!
The 1st XI got their league season underway on Saturday in disappointing fashion, losing to Kilmarnock, who are proving to be something of a bogey team for the locals, by 5 wickets. It all got off to a good start with Callum Henry (38) and Aryan Sanghera (27) putting on 76 for the first wicket with a little help from Mr Extras. But once they were separated, wickets fell at regular intervals and only 30 from Sam Sanghera enabled a total of 161 to be reached. Kilmarnock made a slow start and seemed to be struggling at 83 for 5 but their sixth wicket pair of Islam and Qamar could not be separated and took their team to victory. Peter Hempsey's first report of the season provides more details on what turned out to be a disappointing day for the eleven.
The Glenpark XI on the other hand enjoyed a successful visit to Gatehouse of Fleet when they defeated Galloway in a low-scoring game by just 8 runs. They were indebted to skipper Eddie Ahmad for enabling them to reach 104 in their innings, his 51 off 81 balls was almost half his side's total. Galloway struggled in reply but at 90 for 6 looked set for victory. However their tail did not wag and only 6 more runs were added. Arun Nair with 3 for 5 and Hamidullah Safi with 3 for 8 were the main wicket-takers but all 8 bowlers used by Ahmad played their part in the win.
The Hillend XI gained a facile victory on Sunday over the XL Club, bowling out their opponents for just 72, even although 13 batted, and then overtaking that total for the loss of just one wicket. Harder games surely lie ahead for them.
After another week of sunshine, the weekend weather curse has struck again with both the weekend's friendlies succumbing to the wet condtions. The forecast for next weekend does sound more promising so let's hope the forecasters are right.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Graham Prodger, who died early this morning at the age of 88 after a brief illness.
Graham was a true one-off, a force of nature, who threw himself into everything that he did. Arriving in Inverclyde in 1968, he announced himself to Greenock supporters with a swash-buckling and match-winning century in his first game for the 2nd XI. A left-handed bat, he took the attack to the opposition bowling at every opportunity, trying to hit the first ball he faced for a boundary. He wasn't always successful but refused to change his tactics. He could be the most exhilarating batsman to watch. He was also an outstanding fielder, one game at Hamilton Crescent fielding at leg slip lives long in the memory.
Graham became President of the Club in 1987-88 and worked tirelessly to improve the fortunes of the Club in these two years. On retiring from his employers, Shell, he and his family moved down to Cornwall, firstly to Mousehole and latterly to Penzance, but he kept a keen eye on all things to do with Glenpark, returning occasionally just to make sure nobody forgot him. As if they would! Our sincere and deep condolences go to his widow, Gill and sons, Martin and Stewart and all his friends. He will be such a sad loss and will never be forgotten by all who met him.
We will remember Graham with great affection and are glad that we were able to recognise the scale of the contribution that he made to the Club by appointing him to the position of Honorary Vice-President at the AGM last December.
The captains and vice-captains for the teams this year have now been finalised.
Skippering the 1st XI for the first time will be Aryan Sanghera and his vice-captain will be Cammy Calder.
Eddie Ahmad continues as the Glenpark XI captain and his vice-captain this season will be Hamidullah Safi.
With the Club entering teams in the Sunday and Midweek Leagues this season, there is the need for the Hillend XI to have an appointed skipper and this role will be taken by PJ Bryceland with Rakesh Kumar as his deputy.
Everyone at the Club wishes the captains and vice-captains all the best for the coming season.
Members will be sad to learn of the passing of Bobby Proverbs, at the age of 78, on 12th February. Bobby, who was the son of Laurence Proverbs, a leading member of the 1st XI in the 1950s and early 1960s, first played for the 1st XI in 1966, having played with success in the 2nd XI from a young age. He retired from the game in 1970. having played 48 games for the 1st XI in which he scored 371 runs, mainly as an opening bat.
After his retiral, he maintained a keen interest in the game and the Club and maintained his membership up to his passing. He will be sadly missed and our condolences go to his widow, Margaret, and his family and friends.
At last night's AGM in the clubhouse, Jack Clark, who could reasonably be regarded as the greatest bowler in the club's history, was unanimously elected as Honorary President of the Club. Tom Black, Wilson Evans, Roger Hardie, Brian Lang and Graham Prodger were similarly elected as Honorary Vice-Presidents in recognition of their service to the Club, both on and off the field.
Andy Gunn, one of the oldest surviving players of the Club, sadly passed away this morning at the age of 89. Andy made his debut for the 1st XI in August 1953 and went on to bat 128 times for the eleven, mainly as a solid opening bat, scoring over 1400 runs in the process. His job limited his opportunities to play for a time and the latter period of his playing career was spent as a stalwart of the 2nd XI. Our sincere condolences go to all his family and friends.
Following on from the passing of Steve Kelly, members will be further greatly saddened to learn that Bill Jamieson, like Steve a long-standing member of the Club, has passed away. Bill played for many years for both the cricket and hockey sections and also served as Treasurer of the Club for a period of time. Like Steve, Bill will be sadly missed and our sincere condolences go to Margaret, Karen and David and all his family and friends. Bill's funeral will take place at Greenock Crematorium on Thursday 5th December at 2pm. Those attending should feel free to wear a dash of colour, if they so desire.
The Club is delighted to announce that its new online shop, in collaboration with VX3, is now open.
Please click on the headline or on the link below to read the full article regarding this exciting development.
Members will be greatly saddened to learn that Steve Kelly, a long-standing member of the Club, has passed away. Steve's initial connection with the Club was through the Clutha hockey section, but he continued to support the Club after his playing days were over and he was a popular figure around the clubhouse for many years. He was particularly proud of his granddaughter Emily as she developed her playing career with the Glenpark XI. Steve will be greatly missed by all who knew him and our sincere condolences go to Emma and Emily, Hilary, Graeme and all his family and friends.
In 2020, when no cricket was played due to the Covid-19 outbreak, a number of articles relating to the history of the Club were published on the website. These can be read via this link.
1st XI | |||
25 June | Prestwick | Lost | Card |
28 June | Langside | Lost | Card |
29 June | Kilmarnock | Won | Card |
5 July | Kilmarnock | Cancelled | |
12 July | Glasgow Accies | Won | Card |
13 July | Dunfermline & Carnegie | Won | Card |
Glenpark XI | |||
11 June | Vale of Leven | Won (conceded) | |
14 June | Vale of Leven | Cancelled | |
22 June | Clydesdale Bees | Cancelled | |
28 June | Kirkstyle | Won | Card |
5 July | Galloway | Cancelled | |
12 July | Milngavie 2nd XI | Lost | Card |
Hillend XI | |||
10 June | Marress | Won | Card |
15 June | Uddingston Dev XI | Won | Card |
17 June | Mearns Challengers | Lost | Card |
6 July | Irvine Spartans | Won | Card |
9 July | BBC Scotland | Won | |
16 July | GHK Crow Road | Lost | Card |
Inter-club | |||
11 June | Hillend XI | Won | Card |
Under-12 XI | |||
2 May | East Renfrewshire | Won | |
9 May | Milngavie | Won | |
16 May | Irvine | Won | |
30 May | Kelburne | Won | |
13 June | Ferguslie | Lost | |
20 June | Uddingston | Lost |
Glenpark | |
Saturday 19 July | |
Glenpark XI v Ardrossan | League |
Away | |
Wednesday 16 July | |
Hillend XI v GHK Crow Road | Midweek League |
Friday 18 July | |
Under-12 XI v Glasgow Accies | League |
Saturday 19 July | |
1st XI v West of Scotland | League |
Sunday 20 July | |
Hillend XI v Stenhousemuir | Sunday League |