Villagers back in the running

May 21 2009 by Andrew McGilvray, Hamilton Advertiser

TUNNOCK Uddingston Cricket Club shrugged off their recent disappointment by beating Heriots by 28 runs in a Scottish National Cricket League Premier Division clash at Goldenacre on Saturday.

Following heavy rain the day before, the wicket was slow and favourable for seam rather than spin bowlers, which was fortunate for the Villagers, who had three of their spinners unavailable in Mark Townson, Imran Adrees and David Bill.

Captain Ricky Bawa lost the toss and Uddingston were put in to bat first, with Tom Plant and Paul Hoffmann opening. However by the 12th over both were back in the pavilion with the score on 33-2.

Amir Gul and Vince Bird then took the score to a more respectable total of 83 after 22 runs before they were out.

Of the remaining batsmen only Gavin Bradley, Josh Johnson and Alan McLeod reached double figures.

A last wicket stand between Scott Mackenzie and Sandeep Bawa took the Villagers to a less than challenging 158 for 9 at the close.

Included in this total were 45 extras kindly donated by Heriots’ wayward bowlers, which proved vital.

Bawa and Hoffmann opened Uddingston’s attack with only 21 runs coming off the first 12 overs.

Hoffmann was rested to be replaced by Plant and Bawa set a fine example to his charges by bowling 10 overs unchanged and conceding a miserly 16 runs while taking two wickets.

Bradley then replaced Bawa and he and Plant kept the scoring rate down, only one more wicket falling to Plant.

After 35 overs Heriots were on 84 but still had ex-Scotland opener Steve Knox to call upon.

The result was finely balanced but Bawa played his ace card by recalling Hoffmann, and with only four overs of his ration remaining the big Aussie took three wickets.

In the middle of Hoffmann’s heroic spell Uddingston’s lone spinner, Amir Gul, had the stubborn Knox brilliantly caught behind by Bryan Clark and Heriots were finally all out for 130.

Hamilton Cricket Club had mixed fortunes this week.

On league duty on Saturday, Hamilton beat Garscube in a top of the table clash in Glasgow.

Hamilton lost the toss and were put in to bat and on a day when the bowlers dominated they struggled to 172 all out, seven overs short of the allocated 50.

However, Hamilton’s bowlers soon made inroads and Garscube only mustered 145 for the loss of 9.

But the midweek team, Hamilton Thistle, were eliminated from the Glasgow Cup on Thursday, as Glenpark ran out convincing winners.

On Sunday a Thistle XI visited Falkirk for a challenge match against Forth Valley, losing after they could only post 111 all out compared to their hosts’ 124-6.

On Saturday Hamilton are away to Hughenden in the Western District.

A challenge match against an Indian touring side has been confirmed for Sunday, June 28, at 1pm, and the club would appreciate sponsorship.

Anyone willing to help should contact club president Melvyn Gibson on 07752 599356.