Greenock still winless after defeat

Published 24 May 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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IN THE SWING: Phil McIntosh was bowled out for 21 as Greenock went down to Grange at Glenpark on Saturday.

GREENOCK slumped to their fourth defeat in a row as title favourites Grange claimed the spoils in the Glenpark sunshine.

Once again the batsmen emerged with credit, posting more than 200 for the second week running, only for a dearth of bowling strength to be ruthlessly exploited by the Edinburgh side.

Skipper Kevin McLaren led the way with a battling unbeaten half-century as the home side posted 214-5.

McLaren's 59 was a dogged affair which demonstrated this team will not fail for a lack of effort.

McLaren faced 87 balls and stroked five boundaries, though his contribution would have been greater had his innings not been interrupted due to a problem with a contact lens.

The home skipper was forced to leave the field in the 46th over and only returned for the last few deliveries following the dismissal of Salesh Prabhu.

McLaren's effort followed a steady opening stand between Andy Hislop, who hinted at his true ability with 31, and Phil McIntosh, who made 21 before being bowled by Andy Wilson.

Chris Bellwood also chipped in with 27, while Greenock's total would surely have been higher had Willie Rowan not been run out when going well on 36.

Alex Baum again showed his ample potential with a hard-hitting 18no as McLarens men gave themselves an outside chance of creating a shock.

These hopes were raised when the visitors slumped to 15-2 after McLaren's experimental new-ball pairing made the desired breakthrough.

It was no surprise Rowan ran in from one end to induce an edge from the dangerous Ollie Hairs, but the decision to hand the ball to Dougie Wylie proved inspired when the veteran spinner deceived Grange skipper Sanjay Patel.

There were further successes as former Scotland pair Cammy Coles and Simon Smith also fell.

However, out-of-favour Saltires star Gregor Maiden and former Scotland rugby cap Stuart Moffat combined to end Greenock's hopes of a first league win of the campaign.

Maiden, who two weeks earlier hit a career-best 166, continued in similar vein as he opened out with a series of attractive shots.

His twelve boundaries carried him to the brink of another three-figure score but was stranded agonisingly one run short as Moffat hogged the strike to finish on 42no.

The pair added 89 in an unbroken stand which carried the visitors to victory with seven overs to spare.

Once again Greenock suffered through the absence of Richie Berrington, who was busy top-scoring for the Saltires in their defeat to Kent.

The Scotland man would not only have bolstered the top order, but would have contributed ten overs to a bowling which lacked menace.

Greenock president David Campbell said: "Richie is a big loss to us but there is no point in making excuses.

"The fact is we have to keep battling away and we can be fairly satisfied with the runs we have put on the board in recent weeks.

"But guys who get 30s and 40s have got to start converting these into bigger scores.

"Opening the bowling with Dougie was something we discussed at the interval and it may be something Kevin tries again. Certainly he was the pick of our bowlers and showed what a shrewd performer he is."

There were also words of encouragement from visiting skipper Patel, who said: "Greenock clearly have a few good young batters who will only get better.

"I'm sure they will get their share of victories as the season goes on but they really miss Richie, who is a class act and a genuine all-rounder."

Greenock's quest for that elusive first win continues on Saturday when former Glenpark skipper Craig Wright returns to the club with his new Watsonians team-mates.

GREENOCK: A Hislop c Hairs b Worth 31; P McIntosh b Wilson 21; C Bellwood b Hairs 27; K McLaren not out 59; W Rowan run out 36; S Prabhu b Davidson 13; A Baum not out 18. Extras 9.

Total (for five) 214. Fall: 1-30 2-66 3-106 4-176 5-209.

Bowling: Davidson 10-1-41-1 Thomas 5-0-29-0 Wilson 10-0-39-1 Worth 9-0-41-1 Hairs 10-0-37-1 Coles 6-0-23-0.

GRANGE: O Hairs c Baum b Rowan 6; S Patel b Wylie 6; C Coles c Baum b Sanghera 23; G Maiden not out 99; S Smith b Wylie 12; S Moffat not out 42. Extras 27

Total (for 4, 43.1 overs) 215. Fall: 1-11 2-15 3-87 4-126.

Bowling: Rowan 10-0-57-1 Wylie 10-1-33-2 Bellwod 2-0-21-0 McLaren 10-0-49-0 Sanghera 9-1-46-1 Hempsie 2.1-0-4-0.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 24 May 10

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