Winning return for Kingholm XI

GREEN’S Kingholm XI – St Michael’s 2s – after several rain cancelled matches managed to get their home fixture versus Hillhead 3s completed last Saturday with an eight wicket win. Hillhead elected to bat first, totalling 116 all out in 34 overs. Opening bowlers Naseeb Shinwari and Momand Qayoom shared the first four wickets to fall, leaving the away side 44 for 4 after 16 overs. First change bowlers Mikey Turner and Mike Lumb kept a tight grip on Hillhead’s scoring rate, with Turner being impressive and taking three wickets, bowling a good line outside the off stump. The Kingholm Xl were helped by some indecisive running between the wickets by Hillhead, with two of their batters being run out. The final wicket to fall went Usman Ghani. Two exceptional catches were held by two of the more experienced players in the home team, Davey Fallas and wicket keeper Duncan Muir. In reply, with the rain threatening, and the Duckworth Lewis equation maybe coming in to play to decide the outcome, Green’s Kingholm, despite losing the early wicket of Willie Martin, started positively: Shinwari hit some handsome shots all round the ground and Muir, being the ideal partner never looking in any bother, took the score to 97 before Shinwari was bowled for an excellent 49. With Kingholm Xl well ahead on Duckworth Lewis and the pitch starting to dry out and becoming trickier, skipper John Harriman joined Muir and the pair took no risks to pass Hillhead’s total in the 29th over with Muir finishing 37n.o. Performance of the day went to Naseeb Shinwari for a fine all round performance. Thanks were expressed to ball sponsor IJS Joinery Services. Last Saturday St Michael’s 1st Xl’s match versus Motherwell was cancelled early doors due to rain. This Saturday they are home to Milngavie at the Kingholm, 12 pm start.

Meanwhile, the 2s have a free week. Adult practice nights are Tuesdays and Fridays 6.30 pm to 8 pm at Kingholm Park, while junior cricket continues every Monday during the school holidays at the same location. Everyone welcome from 6.30 pm to 8 pm.