A GOOD bowling and solid batting performance from Inverclyde on Saturday resulted in a five-wicket victory over third top Renfrew moving the Gourock Park team up to fifth spot.

With captain Gareth James and vice captain Cammy Gunn both unavailable, stand-in skipper David Thomson won the toss and his decision to bowl first was vindicated with a fine start from Inverclyde’s reliable opening bowlers Tom Watson and Paul Singh.

Singh bowled Dayyum in the fourth over and had the visitors’ captain Parma well caught low down at point by David Mudie in the sixth.

In the next over Watson had Chatterjee taken by Douglas Pilkington at slip when wicket keeper Steven Sinclair parried a sharp chance, and then bowled Verma to have the visitors at 23 for four after just seven overs.

Singh trapped Abdul leg before and then bowled both Sai and Singh, with the locals well in command, having restricted Renfrew to 37 for seven after 12 overs.

However, the visitors’ lower order fought back, surviving two missed chances by Inverclyde’s fielders, until first change bowler Matt Walton bowled Prasad for 29 in the 23rd over at 80 for eight.

Amil took the score to 106 but was then bowled by Walton who then had a successful leg before appeal to finish the Renfrew innings at 106 in the 29th over.

Walton finished with three for 13, with Singh taking five for 42 and Watson two for 28.

In reply Inverclyde’s opening battters gave a brisk start until Dave Cooke was well caught at slip in the sixth over, Scott Campbell was caught behind and Thomson played on, with the home side at 36 for three after 15 overs.

However, Singh and Pilkington batted well over the next 20 overs with a partnership worth 63 runs, helped by an erratic bowling display from the visitors, who gifted many extras during the innings.

Singh was unfortunate to be caught behind for 29 in the 36th over at 99 for four but had guided his side close to victory, which came in the 39th over, Pilkington finishing on 15 not out.

This was a good victory over a higher placed team in the Division Four table, with Inverclyde now on three wins and two draws from their seven matches and looking forward to the local derby against Glenpark on Saturday.

l Practice for juniors and seniors continues on Tuesdays from 6 to 8pm at Gourock Park.