A distinctly younger Midweek XI, helped by some unlikely performances, clinched the three points, defeating a pleasant and tough Clyde team of ten.
"Howzat?" - That’s definitely out!
Tossing the coin seemed like a formality for young skip Corrie Dick, when the toss-winning captain simply offered the opportunity to bat to the elated teen.
U18s Ross Beattie and Andrew Kraszewski opened the batting, playing themselves in for what looked to be a promising partnership.
Beattie was unfortunately dismissed, however, following a slightly weak murmur of an appeal for LBW. He seemed justifiably distraught.
Anthony Revell, eager as ever, and U15 big-hitting batsman Charlie McNaught were also dismissed prematurely- Anthony running himself out in a bid to increase the run-rate (how valiant!) and Charlie being given out first ball LBW; arguably another dodgy decision.
Excitable 4th XI captain Jim McLaren then joined Kraz- who was developing “iron-man” status with his lengthy innings- he really kept the spirit up.
Jim and Andrew made a partnership of 21, before Kraz, aiming for a big six, was caught at long on by a confident and decisive fielder.
Phil Revie, a promising 15-year-old keeper and sledger, then became the fourth recipient of an early dismissal; deceived by Feasby’s enticing flight.
With 7 overs to go, and a run rate of 4.5 staring him in the face, gutsy skipper Corrie Dick jogged onto the pitch, and the non-striker’s end grinning like an idiot.
Jim and Corrie’s first over together consisted of two wides and two 2s for Jim McLaren, and the pair exchanged encouraging advice to each other between gulps of air (my excuse- I’ve forgotten the gym pass code…).
Dick on his second ball from Trennor, hit a whopping great six - only his second ever.
Jim was soon run out in an indecisive calling mixup from his alleged captain; this brought Alex Cochrane to the crease to have a bash. He duly hit a six himself, and a monster it was too.
Alex for 15 in the third last, and Coz went for 33 in the second last over.
Saul Page and Keshav Kanabar both looked in good nick - 7 and 3 respectively.
Unlikely Performers Continue…
Keshav Kanabar of the Glasgow Accies U12 roster opened the bowling with Gregory “Darling” Gardiner. “Special K” didn’t take any wickets, but Accies were not short of opportunities from his bowling - he was unfortunate not to attain at least a 3-for from his exceedingly tidy 5 overs.
Anthony Revell, who had replaced Gregory Gardiner in the 5th over, bowled well taking the undisputedly valuable wicket of R. Gilliland - a good opener for Clyde.
Saul Page and Corrie Dick both tried their hand at their respective permutations of off-spin and leg-spin, but both were outrageously pish - so they came off for Ross Beattie and Jim McLaren.
Ross struck twice in his first over, and admitted to having his eye set on a 5-for - karma dictated that he did not take a wicket next over.
Jim, with his deceptively snail-paced seamers, was hit for just three runs in his first over, and 14 from his three (including the crucial last over).
Ross (the batsman) finished the match with figures of 3-0-13-4, incredibly good bowling.
Jim (the everything) finished with 3-0-14-2, well bowled the both of them!
Summary
An enjoyable and hard-fought match resulting in points for Accies… does it get better? Oh hell yes it does! There’s some top-notch youngsters winning the match with tidy bowling and decent innings.
Coz