Partick 119 all out (3 pts) lost to Glasgow Accies 120-3 (25 pts) by 7 wickets.
Match played at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow on Saturday 26th July 2008 at 13:00.
Brunton Miller Western Union Division 1, 100 overs.
Toss won by Glasgow Accies, who elected to field.
Umpire: VW Hadcroft.
Scorer: CAC Dawson.
After two glorious days of weather in Glasgow, Saturday began under heavy skies.
The Accies team were in sombre mood following the news of the sudden death of Gordon Mackay during the week.
Although rugby was his first sport, which he had played professionally, he had also played numerous times for Accies cricket section.
While the website only currently retains two scorecards of games in which he played, Nige regaled several stories of Gordon heroics on the cricket pitch, including nonchalantly plucking one handed catches out of the sky.
The flag at New Anniesland was at half-mast and the Accies team wore black armbands, as a small gesture, in respective to the big man.
Andy won the toss and suitably inserted Partick into bat. They began cautiously before the opening partnership of 43 was broken by a good ball from Kash and a superb diving catch by keeper, Spud, taken in front of Fritzy at first slip.
The second wicket fell in more comical circumstance when a forceful drive was parried by Nige at short mid-off - inducing Brown to call Burton through for an unlikely single - the ball ricocheted to Andy who threw to the keeper's end and Spud was in the action again, whipping the bails off. Burton already knew the outcome and followed the uncompleted single through to the changing rooms.
Nige and Randy soon replaced Kash and Abhay, respectively, and further constricted the Partick middle order. Randy was getting some prestigious swing and seam movement in the helpful conditions. His spell was never dull including an extraordinary over as follows [6...W4]. He ended with 4 for 40, including 3 wickets bowled.
Nige was unlucky to remain wicket-less. His overs included a "wicket" caught behind off a no ball - the first he'd bowled in league cricket in the current score book, dating back to July last year.
As Abhay returned for his second spell he sensed blood and took 4 for 8 from 23 balls to wrap the innings up. This included both ends of Partick's squad from the experienced (Cameron) and the not so experienced (Ralston, Moreland and Lloyd).
After a quick turnaround, as tea wasn't quite ready, Randy and Andy looked to continue where they'd begun two weeks previously. However, the result was very different and after a couple of lazy shots and four overs Accies were reduced to 20 for 2. Randy (4), Andy (5) and wides (7) - already! Fraser and Sam steadied things and at tea Accies were 49 for 2.
The only wicket to fall after tea was that of Sam for a good innings of 40, becoming John Cameron's 56,000th wicket (or there-abouts). This brought Raj to the crease and the game was over in under half an hour. Raj finished on 32*, Fraser for an outstanding 18*. He was the jam in the middle of Accies' Victora sponge of an innings. Andy and Randy being the irritating bits of icing on top (I’m looking at the cake as a cross section here – please work with me here).
A change in the batting order may be required for next week as Shez return's from tropical storms; and jam and (wholemeal) toast will be back on the Friday night menu.
With Kelburne winning against GHK, our next opponents, Accies still lie a distant 2nd in the league. However, by concentrating on each of our remaining games, one at a time, we will maintain the pressure on Paisley's second team and be more than happy to profit from a slip in their form.