Battling Greenock defeated again

Published 31 May 2010 14:00 0 Comments

Share this

STRIKE THREAT: Willie Rowan was the main dangerman in Greenock's attack and took two key wickets.

GREENOCK's ground staff pulled out all the stops to beat the weather on Saturday but the players were unable to match their efforts as they slumped to their fifth successive defeat of a troubled SNCL campaign.

Heavy morning rain made any play seem unlikely as puddles started to form on the outfield, but a sustained mopping-up operation paid dividends with the ground deemed fit for a 25-overs-a-side match.

The club's outlay on new covers also proved justified as the square was in perfect condition when the Watsonians opening batsmen walked out to end the long wait at 4.40pm.

It was the visitors who looked the hungrier to make up for lost time as they set a lively tempo from the start.

Ryan Flannigan, a player tipped for full Scotland honours, took up where he had left off in helping the Lions beat Leicestershire seconds in midweek.

Flannigan, who hammered 82 for the Saltires' shadow side, hit one six into the gardens surrounding Glenpark on his way to a rapid 39.

However, he was eventually out-gunned by Ewan Chalmers and Tim Weston as 'Sonians hoisted the run-rate to eight-an-over.

Unfortunately, the batsmen were helped on their way by some careless fielding which saw several straightforward catches spilled.

Chalmers made the most of his 'life' by going on to top score with 77 and must have had a sense of déjÀ vu after the corresponding fixture last season when a series of drops allowed him to hit a century.

In the event, his boundary-laden effort proved sufficient to carry the Myreside men to an imposing 215-5, while dispiriting the home players.

Chalmers stroked eight boundaries and two sixes, while Weston's cultured 69 included eight boundaries.

Willie Rowan looked the most threatening of the Greenock bowlers and he was rewarded with the wickets of Chalmers and Weston.

Craig Wright, making his return to Glenpark following his winter switch to 'Sonians, had little chance to pile on the agony for his old team-mates, adding an unbeaten nine before the end as the visitors closed on 215-5.

Even during Greenock's reply, the former Scotland captain was over-shadowed by Mike Leggett and Stuart Chalmers, who did most to dent hopes of a successful chase.

Leggett claimed 4-22, including Greenock's top three batsmen, while Chalmers mopped-up the tail with 3-20.

However, Wright could not be kept out of the action altogether, the big all-rounder claiming the wickets of Greenock's two top scorers.

Home skipper Kevin McLaren had hit a defiant 42 with four boundaries and Sailesh Prabhu 26 before both were undone by Wright.

Greenock president David Campbell said: "It wasn't a great display by the lads today, but we have to take it on the chin and move on.

"We know we are not the strongest bowling side, but that makes it all the more important that we field well and hold onto our catches.

"Today, that simply didn't happen.The biggest plus was that we managed to get the game on at all because it really didn't look likely when the heavens opened in late morning.

"But the new covers did their job superbly and the square was bone dry."

Wright said of his former team: "They have got to keep their heads up. A win will do wonders for their confidence.

"Obviously, I am happy they didn't get it against us, but I hope it comes soon for them.

"They have some good young players coming through and, hopefully, they will improve from the experience they are getting."

Greenock's quest for a win continues when they visit fellow strugglers West of Scotland on Saturday.

WATSONIANS

R Flannigan c Sanghera b Hempsey 39

J Easton st Hislop b Bellwood 10

T Weston b Rowan 69

E Chalmers c Begley b Rowan 77

S Chalmers c Thomson b McLaren 2

C Wright not out 9

S Learmonth not out 1

Extras 8

Total (for five) 215

Fall: 1-21 2-77 3-202 4-203 5-205.

Bowling: Rowan 5-0-29-2 Bellwood 5-0-48-1 Wylie 5-0-35-0 Hempsey 5-0-52-1 McLaren 5-0-49-1.

GREENOCK

A Hislop c Cairns b Leggett 1

W Rowan b Leggett 15

C Bellwood c S Chalmers b Leggett 2

K McLaren c Learmonth b Wright 42

A Baum c Cairns b Leggett 10

S Prabhu c Leggett b Wright 26

D Thomson b Sadler 7

R Begley b S Chalmers 1

J Hempsey c&b S Chalmers 0

S Sanghera not out 9

D Wylie b S Chalmers 6

Extras 18

Total (all out, 24.5 overs) 137

Fall: 1-1 2-11 3-25 4-43 5-111 6-114 7-118 8-118 9-126 10-137.

Bowling: Sadler 5-1-22-1 Leggett 5-0-22-4. Paxton 5-0-32-0 Wright 5-0-32-2 S Chalmers 4.5-0-20-3.

l Greenock Cricket Club would like to thank the following supporters:

Match Ball: Campbell MacNeill

Match Sponsor: St Andrew's Garage

Presidential Suite Sponsor: Greenock Hockey Club

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 31 May 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @greenocktele