Inverclyde                146 all out

Clydesdale 4ths         74 all out

INVERCLYDE recorded their third victory in this WDCU Championship Div 3 match at Gourock Park last Saturday.

There was a man of the match performance from captain Gareth James who scored his maiden half century and took four wickets in the win.

Batting first, Inverclyde’s opening batters made a steady start until Dave Cooke was bowled when he misjudged an inswinger at 26 for 1 in the 9th over.

Cammy Gunn was batting well but mistimed his drive to be caught at mid off for 21. 

Scott Campbell was caught low down at point and Matt Walton caught behind.

James hit the Clydesdale captain for two fine on drive sixes in the 20th over to lift the locals to 72 for 4. 

A good 5th wicket partnership worth 60 runs took the total to 113 when Douglas Pilkington, playing a supporting role to the captain, was caught at slip in the 32nd over.

A single brought up James’ first half century for Inverclyde but on 50 he was then caught at deep mid on.

Late partnerships added valuable runs from Stuart Callison, Chris Roffe, Tommy McDade and Adam James, and Paul Singh was last man out when he was bowled by Raza in the 40th over for 15 runs, taking Inverclyde to a challenging total of 146.

Rain delayed the start of Clydedales’ reply, but James made the perfect start removing Atkinson’s middle stump with the first ball of the innings, and two overs later bowled Sturgess.

Walton trapped both Raza and Sher leg before, and James bowled Tariq, to leave the visitors’ innings in disarray at 22 for 5 after 8 overs.

Chapman was run out after a sharp return from Gunn from the long off boundary at 33 for 6 after 12 overs.

Ferguson and Yousuf fought back until Singh bowled Yousuf and then accounted for Rashid with James’ good low catch at short cover to regain the initiative for Inverclyde.

James then removed the attacking Ferguson when Gunn took a difficult chance at mid off, and Singh took the final wicket when Adam James held the catch at point.

Singh finished with 3 for 22, Walton 2 for 30, both providing good support for captain James who rounded off his good performance with 4 wickets for 15.

With this victory Inverclyde retain 6th spot in the league, but have no game this weekend.

Outdoor practices continue on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 8pm, and junior coaching continues on Saturday mornings from 10 to 11.30 am.

New seniors and juniors are welcome to attend these sessions.