1st XI meet Hillhead in a must-win game

The end of the 2026 cricket season is fast approaching and the 1st XI have just three matches left to secure their place in the Western Premiership Two or face relegation.

The three matches just happen to be against their three main relegation rivals. So, each match will be like a cup final. First up this Saturday is a visit to Glenpark by bottom side Hillhead. It is a no brainer for the side; only a win will do.

What has led them to be in this position? Only three league wins all season has been the poor return from 12 matches completed. And that fact added to just eight bonus points collected from the losing games, plus availability issues of players due to work and injury provides the reasons for the disappointing season.

With each remaining match so crucial for the team's ability to remain in Premiership Two, it could be said that their season begins now.

Weather, as in most cricket seasons in the west of Scotland, can play a part in determining the outcome of league positions.

Earlier in the season, the team's match against Hillhead which was due to be played at Hughenden in Glasgow, was called off due to weather having rendered the ground unplayable.

It was the only game in the league called off that day. And with Hillhead stuck at the lower end of the league, it was a match which the 1st XI had targeted for a win which would have given the team a mid-league position with three wins from six matches played.

But all that is water under the bridge and the team's season, instead of moving positively forward has moved in the opposite direction. In the second half of the season, the team has failed to register a single win.

Hillhead's season has been much like the 1st XI's with just three wins from 13 matches completed. But one of those wins came just last Saturday when they defeated Helensburgh, one of the relegation contenders, at Hughenden, and that win will have provided a real boost for the Glasgow side.

Yet, it was actually a result which was good for the 1st XI, as it put Helensburgh into third bottom position within just 0.5 of one percentage point of the team, who are in second bottom spot. They play Helensburgh at their Ardencaple ground next week.

In fourth bottom position are Mearns on 33.71%, just 6 percentage points above the 1st XI and the two teams meet on the final Saturday of the season.

So, it is a real dog fight at the foot of the table with the 1st XI at least having their future in their league very much in their own hands.

Last Saturday, although losing out against league leaders Kilmarnock, team coach Tom Black was in quite positive mood stating, "There was a good spirit in the team and the players were focused on trying to do various things which were discussed prior to the start of the match.

"We tried a new opening partnership with Jamie Nowell and Greg McDougall at the top of the order. They did well, seeing off the opening ten overs and putting on more than 30 runs before Jamie was removed with an LBW decision. There is an improvement too in the field and picking up five wickets at Kilmarnock with only a relatively low score to try and defend was encouraging".

Black, a former Scotland international all-rounder and with a record of having played 870 matches for the Club and scoring just short of 20,000 runs, sits at the very top of the Club's statistics alongside the legendary John Kerr.

No player in the history of the Club has approached the number of matches Black has played for it. And no player in the post Second World War era begins to approach the number of runs he has scored.

With the team entering a crucial end of season phase, Black has announced he is coming out of retirement to play against Hillhead on Saturday. His experience, and on the park presence, will be a major boost for the side and is sure to attract extra spectators along to Glenpark to support the team and to see the legend take to the field once more.

Win or bust, that is the hand which the team have to play on Saturday afternoon and the selected team carries the good wishes of the whole club for the game.

The Glenpark XI travel to Glasgow to play Hillhead 2nd XI at Hughenden. At one point last Saturday against Mearns Challengers it looked as if the team might break their league duck but their batting line-up was unable to backup a decent bowling performance. More of the same from the selected team may well lead to success this weekend.

Sunday sees the Senior XI take on Stenhousemuir at Glenpark in the Senior League. The selected eleven, positively bristling with talent and experience, should surely draw a healthy crowd to Glenpark for the encounter.

The Club is grateful for the continued sponsorship from Ethos Group.