Greenock's weekend double loss

William Dick • Published 2 Aug 2010 12:00 0 Comments

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DEFEAT: Willie Rowan couldn't prevent Greenock losing again.

GREENOCK suffered a double dose of SNCL misery at the weekend when they slumped to heavy defeats against Watsonians and the National Academy.

If Saturday's defeat at Myreside was disappointing it was perhaps to be expected against the team lying in joint top spot in the league.

However, yesterday's reverse against Craig Wright's youngsters at Glenpark was particularly galling - especially as Greenock had the scent of victory in their nostrils after making an excellent start.

Willie Rowan, pictured, probably the club's player of the season, grabbed three crucial early scalps, while Chris Bellwood took two and Sammy Sanghera one as the Academy were reduced to 65-6.

However, the visitors' batting had more depth than Greenock's bowling and they recovered to post a challenging 175 before producing a slick display in the field to win by a comfortable 76-run margin.

It had started well for the home side when Rowan struck immediately to clean bowl the dangerous full Scotland cap Ollie Hairs for a duck.

He also ripped through the defences of fellow opener Craig Wallace for 2 and trapped Josh Edwards in front for a duck as the Academy looked to be in tatters on 5-3.

And when Bellwood bowled another full Scotland cap, Ewan Chalmers, for 17 and also dismissed Scott Galloway, Greenock's tails were firmly up - especially as Sanghera also accounted for yet-another full Saltires star in Marc Petrie.

Sadly though, they met solid resistance from Stoneywood-Dyce star Michael Leask and in-form Arbroath all-rounder Calvin Burnett, who added 96 for the seventh wicket.

Leask led the way with a sparkling 51 which included six fours and a six before he was dismissed by Dougie Wylie.

Burnett, Scotland's young player of the year last season, contributed 45 but his innings was cut short by Greenock debutant Roddy Kelso.

However, by the tea interval there was little doubt the Academy had wrestled the initiative and Greenock were clearly going to have to battle with resolve to take the points.

They were given an encouraging start by Shailesh Prabhu and Chris Bellwood, who put on 34 for the first wicket.

However, once again, none of the home batsmen were able to play the major innings that was desperately required.

Indeed, after Bellwood was run out for 10, wickets fell at regular intervals as the Academy bowlers showed commendable discipline.

Man-of-the-match Burnett did the bulk of the damage with four key scalps including Prabhu, whose 23 turned out to be Greenock's highest score.

Left-arm spinner Andrew Brock then hastened the home side's demise with the fine figures of 3-7 from four overs.

In the end, Greenock staggered to 99 all out - the fourth time they have failed to reach 100 this season but 40 more than they managed against Watsonians 24 hours earlier.

Against the league leaders, only Andy Hislop reached double figures with 18, while Scotland Lions bowler Stuart Chalmers claimed 5-26.

Watsonians then took only nine overs to knock off the 60 runs needed for victory, losing one wicket in the process.

Skipper Kevin McLaren, who missed yesterday's defeat through work commitments, admitted: "These two defeats have made it another bad weekend for us.

"It wasn't as if the Watsonians bowlers were doing anything remarkable with the ball.

"They were just bowling a good line and length and we gave our wickets away much too cheaply.

"It looks as if it was a similar story against the Academy and that has been the story of our season."

Greenock will have the chance to notch their second win of the campaign on Saturday when they entertain West of Scotland - the only side they have beaten so far.

NATIONAL ACADEMY: O Hairs b Rowan 0; C Wallace b Rowan 2; E Chalmers b Bellwood 21; J Edwards lbw b Rowan 0; S Galloway c Sanghera b Bellwood 17; M Petrie lbw b Sanghera 10; M Leask b Wylie 51; C Burnett b Kelso 45; K Morton b Wylie 0; A Brock not out 6; S McElnea run out 2. Extras 21.

Total (all out, 41.3 overs) 175. Fall: 1-0 2-5 3-5 4-33 5-65 6-65 7-161 8-161 9-168 10-175.

Bowling: Rowan 6.3-2-41-3 Bellwood 10-1-29-2 Sanghera 10-1-57-1 Wylie 10-2-25-2 Kelso 5-0-19-1.

GREENOCK: S Prabhu c Petrie b Burnett 23; C Bellwood run out 10; W Rowan c&b Burnett 13; C Kruger c Wallace b Edwards 2; A Hislop b Burnett 1; R Begley not out 18; A Baum b Burnett 0; R Kelso b Brock 7; D Wylie c Burnett b Brock 1; S Sanghera b Brock 9; J McDougall b Morton 0. Extras 15.

Total (all out, 28.2 overs) 99. Fall: 1-34 2-39 3-59 4-61 5-62 6-62 7-78 8-80 9-98 10-99

Bowling: McElnea 5-1-18-0 Edwards 10-2-30-1 Burnett 7-2-21-4 Brock 4-1-7-3 Morton 2.2-0-12-1.

National Academy won by 76 runs.

Saturday Details: Greenock 59 (S Chalmers 5-26) Watsonians 60-1 (R Flannigan 32no). Watsonians won by nine wickets.

Greenock Cricket Club is grateful for the support of the following sponsors: Presidential Suite Sponsor - Alan Park. Match Sponsor - Louis's Fish Bar. Ball Sponsor - Kevin Flack.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 02 Aug 10

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