Western District Cricket Union

Welcome to the Western District Cricket Union website.  The Union organises and promotes cricket to half the population of Scotland, from Dumfries & Galloway in the south-west, up the west coast, and across the central belt to the Forth Valley.  We co-ordinate with the West District Junior Cricket Union, local authorities and Cricket Scotland to encourage youth development and provide a structured developmental pathway with the aim of allowing the game to flourish and grow at all levels.  From the Premier Division to the Greenwood Trophy, the Union provides competitions for all its member clubs, from 50-over Saturday cricket to competitive T20 competitions.

Latest news and notices

  • Week 16 – WDCU Premier Division – Saturday 16th August 2025 (25th August 2025)
    Ayr hosted Stenhousemuir in a clash to see who would probably be runners-up and who will be third in the league when the season ends. An opportunity for the younger Ayr players to showcase their talents for the coming seasons while for Stenhousemuir, a fixture to utilise for ideas as a start for building strategies for 2026 and assessing the strength of the squad for that campaign. For Yaseen Valli, a batting track to post another score on as he targets the possibility of a 1000 runs in the league.
    Stenhousemuir batted first and scored 218-8 off their 50 overs. . Top scorers were Yaseen Valli (52), Zander Smith (37) and Bahadar Esakhiel (35). The pick of the Ayr bowling was Robbie Walsg with 2-43 and Ollie Jones with 2-48.
    The Ayr reply started well with Michael English (25) the first wicket to fall at 68 when he was caught behind of Nick Lister in the 15th over. A further 30 runs were added when Ayr suddenly suffered from a middle-order batting shambles with 5 wickets falling for only 19 runs. At 98, Ollie Jones (10) was caught off Callum Grant with Marcel Marconi (57) dismissed by Zander Smith a few balls later. On 99, Jake Woodhouse (1) was dismissed by Grant with Brayden Riggs (3) then bowled by Smith taking Ayr to 110-5 off 28 overs. Ayr suddenly became 117 -6 after 31 overs when Gavin Murray was bowled by Grant.
    And yet again, an Ayr game became compelling viewing with them needing 100 to win off 18 overs and 4 wickets to hand. And again, as seems to be the theme with Ayr’s recent batting, Neil Flack, donned his superhero outfit and came to the rescue with 46 not out ably assisted by another caped crusader for the Ayr cause in Michael Miller who top-scored with 64 not out. These two hit a 102 unbeaten partnership to win the game for Ayr with 4 overs to spare.
    For Stenhousemuir with the ball, Callum Grant took 3-35 with Zander Smith taking 2-37.
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    Clydesdale would be commencing this game in the knowledge that a victory would technically make them uncatchable with 2 games left to play, but they would not be underestimating a Kelburne side that desperately needs wins to escape the threat of relegation.
    I popped into Titwood and watched the first innings and was supra-impressed at the urgency in the field by Kelburne and that they were certainly giving Clydesdale an unexpected challenge. There have been some that have recently questioned and aired their views about Clydesdale’s batting depth, and unfairly so in my opinion, yet today’s performance with the bat without the services of the likes of Craig Young and Mo Ghaffar to call upon, proved once again, that from a difficult position of 87-4 after 23 overs, there is a lot more to the Titwood batting than has been considered. Sizwe Masondo (59) got a lot more time at the crease in a league game than he has been accustomed to this season and batted well for his score and demonstrated his skills that we have been deprived of watching through no fault of his own. That alone is an indicator of the strength of the batting line up in itself but its depth was proven with Kallum Dhami’s (65) measured innings. A 59 run partnership between Dhami and Ali Khan (22) took Clydesdale into the 200s, and although there was sprinkling of wickets in the final few overs, the innings ended with the home side 229-8.
    Taking nothing away from Kelburne though – they bowled and fielded admirably and showed what a capable team that they are. They too were missing players that bowl the bulk of their overs but only 5 bowlers were used today with Lucas Farndale taking 4-47 and Gurveer Singh 2-52.
    Kelburne’s reply stuttered with early wickets but Evan Fouche (45) and Kyle Northend (66) rallied the total along. When Northend was dismissed in the 30th over, Kelburne were 157-6 and 72 required off 20 overs. Until Rahisk Kafle (24) was LBW to Ali Khan in the 40th over, Kelburne only needed 38 to win in 10 overs and were still very much in with a chance of beating Clydesdale on their patch. But 192-9 made those 38 runs become a difficult task to procure and Kelburne were finally all out for 202 in the 43rd over.
    Rafay Khan’s 5-44 and Zeeshan Bashir’s 2-35 were the telling figures in the Clydesdale bowling but the spirited performance of Kelburne with the ball and bat belied their table positioning and gave Clydesdale a run for their money in a league game that the rest of the league have struggled to do this season.
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    Uddingston had Dumfries at the policies with both sides needing a win to improve their league positioning. For Uddingston, a win today and a favourable result at Titwood would leave them with the knowledge on what to do to avoid relegation in the final two games. Dumfries need to play all three of the final fixtures and win them all and wait to see what happens elsewhere and what their final fate is.
    Dumfries opted to bat first, lost Chris Bellwood (4) trapped LBW to Tom Willmott when the score was 13 then got to 41-2 off 18 overs when Munro Cubbon played all over and around a top-spinner from Ross Lyons and was smartly stumped by Bryan Clarke. This was Ross Lyons’ first over of a 17 over tandem spell with Raj Kamaraj at the other end that stopped the Dumfries train firmly in its tracks. If ever a spell of bowling was deserving of a soundtrack, Glenn Miller’s ‘Chatanooga Choo Choo’ would be the perfect choice – 17 overs bowled, 42 runs conceded and 5 wickets taken by Ross Lyons – at one point, around the 30th over, Dumfries were 65-6. But hats off to Dumfries and two stands that got the innings engines going again.
    Ben Plowman and Wahid Jabarkhil (13) had a stand of 26 followed by a stand of 35 between Plowman and Scott Beveridge (17) that took the final Dumfries total up to 145-10 off 49 overs with Plowman finishing 34 not out.
    Uddingston’s bowling was dominated by Ross Lyons 10 over spell of 5-16 with Keerat Singh chipping in with 2-27 at the death.
    This was not going to be an easy task for Uddingston to complete though – although Dumfries were missing regulars, they were not going to be an easy opposition to bat against. Uddingston struggled and were an uncomfortable 71-5 after 22 overs when Amaan Ramzan (22) was was bowled by Chris Bellwood. It was going to take the patience and time-served experience of Ross Lyons to see them through the inning to victory. A further three wickets fell before Tom Willmott (3 not out) hit the winning runs in the 43rd over, but Lyons’ 41 not out had been crucial in giving the Villagers a victory that changes their table position with 2 games to go.
    For Dumfries, the pick of their bowling was Alan Davidson 3-22 and Adam Malik with 2-7, but Dumfries also used two under 16 bowlers as well in Billy Morgan and Munro Cubbon, a refreshing feature to see giving nippers a chance to play 1st team league cricket but also using them.
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    GHK would have been fancying themselves to win at home against Prestwick but both clubs have played most of this season’s cricket as if they were suffering from a Dissociative Identity Disorder – they haven’t a Scooby what match day performance personality is going to appear when the game actually takes place: an affliction that has caused both clubs to be very inconsistent and prevented either of them to genuinely challenge for a title – the medication to cure it can be swallowed in some large doses over the winter in indoor nets and also remembering that it is 50 over-a-side cricket they are playing on a Saturday and not midweek thrash stuff – just an observation on my part – the different types of club cricket played need the players to implement a distinct change of application when playing them.
    Maybe I’m a cricketer from a different epoch, but, as the visitors to a wicket and outfield very different to the Henry Thow Oval, and given the alternate week fragility of their own batting performances, Prestwick winning the toss should have seen GHK batting first – you bowl them out for hee-haw, you know what you are chasing, you see off the blitzkrieg and you pace the response over the course of 50 overs as the runs will come.
    But no – win the toss and bat first and suddenly find yourselves 47-7 after 17 overs then slip to 67-9 off 24 overs. Had it not been for a last pair stand of 43 coming from Gurupreet Singh (25 not out) and Ronan Alexander (17), and top scorers with the bat also, Prestwick would have been scoffing their tea at 70 odd all out off 25 overs instead of reaching 110-10 after 40 overs and sprinkling some Sertraline in about their sandwiches.
    The GHK bowling figures were as follows – Azeem Akbar 4-30, Zain Ullah 3-25 and Muhammad Majid 3-17.
    Prestwick had to get their bowling spot-on from the start if they were to give themselves a chance of defending a lowish total – and they certainly gave it a good go. The defence came in two distinct bursts with some clever inter-changing of the bowling causing problems for the GHK batting. The initial burst saw GHK 7-3 after 4 overs followed by another 4 wickets being taken between the 16th and 20th overs leaving GHK 56-7. Another wicket fell in the 26th over leaving GHK 61-8 but sensible batting by Izzy Hussain (20) and Muhammed Majeed (25 not out) saw a 47 run partnership take the home side to 108-9 in the 44th over and three runs required for victory. Majeed saw them home in the following over to record another win for the Old Anniesland club.
    Prestwick’s bowling figures of note were Ronan Alexander 3-17, Indy Singh 2-15 and Sachin Chaudhary 2-21 in pursuit of an admirable defence.
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    Ferguslie’s second-last home game at the field of dreams took place against their old friends Drumpellier. Ferguslie invited their visitors to bat first, however, the Drumpellier innings never really got started as wickets fell continuously throughout. Praise has to be given to Jordan Pryde (61) who opened the batting, occupied the crease at one end and ran out of partners at the other. He was the second last wicket to fall at 97 when he was stumped by David Stafford off young Armaan Ahmed’s bowling with the final wicket falling at 101 in the 31st over.
    Feguslie’s bowling was Taimoor Ahmas 2-27, Ethan Hebberman 2-29, Muhammed Mayet 3-25, Uzair Ahmad 2-10 and Armaan Ahmed 1-6.
    The Ferguslie reply was brisk with David Stafford providing another ‘Staffy’ autograph innings of 55 not out as the target score was passed in the 16th over with Ferguslie 102-3. Under 14 age-group player, Satvik Varunkumar, was 0 not out at the other end.
    Chathuranga Kumara took 2-32 in his brief spell.
    It is always nice to see young players getting 1st team league cricket and I admire Ferguslie giving Armaan Ahmed, Ethan Hebberman and Satvik Varunkumar, just three names from their homegrown youngsters conveyor belt, a taste of that level of adult competitive cricket.
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    Sunday saw three cup finals featuring clubs from the WDCU participate in and also played on WDCU grounds.
    I was a visitor to Whitehaugh for the two cup finals being held there, and Whitehaugh looked magnificent in the sunshine.
    The first final was the Under 16s Girls Scottish Cup Final between Watsonians and Stewart’s Melville with the Under 16’s Boys Scottish Cup Final a short time later.
    Under 16 Scottish Cup Final – played at Whitehaugh on Sunday 17th August.
    Dumfries 173/2: Lachlan Osmond (29), Munro Cubbon 50 retired not out, Billy Morgan 46 not out and Nairn Cubbon 27 not out.
    Aberdeenshire 99-10: Leo Wood(30) – Lachlan Osmond 3-19, Munro Cubbon 4-20 and Finley Trigg 2-31
    Dumfries win by 74 runs.
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    Stenhousemuir was another ground that looked fantastic in the sunshine as it hosted a final today.
    Cricket Scotland Challenge Cup Final – played at the Tryst, Stenhousemuir, on Sunday 17th August 2025
    Edinburgh 154-10: Muhammad Sohaib Butt (42), Mateen Butt (57) – Muhibullah Ahmadzai 4-18.
    Greenock 155-7: Will Jenkins (35), Chiraginder Pandher (38 no) – Hazrat Bilal 2-12, Muhammad Sohaib Butt 2-18.
    Greenock win by 3 wickets.
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    Prestwick was the welcome host of a final as well and was another superb venue in the sunshine.
    Western Cup Final 2025 – played at the Henry Thow Oval, Prestwick on Sunday 17th August
    Titwood 161-3: Wasim Qureshi (78), Lukas Fischer-Keogh (43)
    Dean Park 127-6: Hijratullah Omarkhil (59) and Sahil Chopra (32) – Gregor Anderson 2-21
    Titwood win by 34 runs.
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    Richard S Young
  • Week 15 – WDCU Premiership – Saturday 9th August 2025 (11th August 2025)
    Stenhousemuir’s aspirations of winning the championship evaporated last weekend with their loss to GHK, however, a win today against their visitors, Uddingston, would keep them in the mix for a runners-up place. But Uddingston are a dangerous opposition whose recent performances have demonstrated how capable a team they can be, a trait that was missing in the first half of the season. A win for them could see a leapfrog jump over Kelburne into 8th place and out of the relegation zone.
    Stenhousemuir decided to bat first, and although there was an early wicket with Peter Hamilton (3) being caught off Tom Willmott in the 2nd over, Bahadar Esakhiel and Yaseen Valli went through the gears against the Uddingston bowling. It would be another 41 overs and 216 runs later before the 2nd Stenhousemuir wicket fell when Yaseen Valli (95) miscued a long-hop from Rohail Jahan-Zeb and was caught at mid-wicket. Both Valli and Esakhiel were on 95 when that 2nd wicket fell and you have to feel for Valli on missing out on another league ton as temptation to do so came from a rare moment of show-boating and proved too great for him.
    Stenhousemuir were now 221-2 after 43 overs, and with the innings reduced to 48 because of rain delays, Uddingston were now going to have to be frugal with their bowling at the death as, with wickets in hand, the Stenny batting would simply throw the bat at everything.
    Zander Smith (14) was caught off Tom Willmott in the 47th over taking the Stenny total to 249-3 followed by Esakhiel (120) caught by Jahan-Zeb off Ross Lyons midway through the 48th over with Stenhousemuir finishing up 265-4.
    The bowling figures were Tom Willmott 2-60, Lyons 1-42 and Jahan-Zeb 1-25.
    Initially, Uddingston’s chase of a largish total looked to be well underway with Abdul Sabri belting Nick Lister’s opening over for 14 and although Keerat Singh (4) was dismissed by Ollie Townsend in the 5th over, Sabri proceeded to belt Lister for a further 9 runs in his 3rd over. With a required run-rate of 5.3 in pursuit of a DLS amended total of 274, there appeared to be a genuine intent by Uddingston to take the game to Stenhousemuir and test the home side’s bowling options in defence of that total.
    Even with Sabri (25) bowled by Townsend at the beginning of the 7th over, Uddingston continued with the chase. At the beginning of the 12th over, Uddy were 55-2 and going for it, and although Harry Singh (15) was caught off Lister’s bowling at the end of the over, there was no visible sign of abatement of the run chase.
    A 33 run partnership between Amaan Ramzan and Fergus Clarke came to an end in the 21st over when Ramzan (27) was out to Callum Grant and Uddingston now 88-4, but when Fergus Clarke (21) was caught behind off Grant, the total was now 107-5 and any realistic hopes of chasing down the Stenny total were quickly vanishing into the air like the smoke from one of my cigarettes.
    The final 5 wickets fell for 35 runs over the course of the following 20 overs and Uddingston were 142 all out in the 43rd over and a DLS loss by 131 runs.
    Ollie Townsend finished up taking 4-33 with Callum Grant taking 4-17.
    A welcome win for Stenhousemuir but for Uddingston, a loss they could seriously do without with only three weeks of the league season left to play.
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    Kelburne faced 2nd placed Ayr with two distinct difficulties – the first being that it was Ayr they were playing, the second one being that Kelburne had to win today to improve their percentage to assist their attempt to avoid relegation. The weather is changeable and there is no guarantee of further games being played. For Ayr, a similar predicament of needing to win to maintain a wistful championship challenge while harbouring the hope of Clydesdale now failing in at least three of their four remaining fixtures.
    Ayr opted to bat first in an early innings that was interspersed with delays due to passing showers. Marcel Marconi (6) was caught by Mohammad off Rahim Roghani in the 3rd over with surprise opening bowler, Gavin Arbuckle, inducing Ollie Jones (2) to play a false shot and was caught. Michael English (28) was caught by Evan Fouche off Ross MacLean and Ayr were 50-3 off 13 overs. And for a second week in a row, the Ayr team batted around Neil Flack in small partnerships that enabled them to post a realistically defendable total. Jake Woodhouse (33) was caught off Lucas Farndale in the 30th over to make it 112-4 followed by Gavin Murray (08) being dismissed by Farndale in the 34th over. Brayden Riggs (16) was caught and bowled by Gurveer Singh in the 41st over making it 157-6 with 9 overs to go and a definite thrash with the bat at play. Neil Flack (45) was caught off Singh in the 45th over and 166-7. The last three wickets fell over the course of the final 5 overs but the tail picked up 27 vital runs for the Ayr total with Michael Maxwell (6), Hamza Tahir (15) andLyle Jefferson (12) with Ayr 193 all out in the 50th over.
    The pick of Kelburne’s bowling was Ross MacLean 2-28, Lucas Farndale 2-37 and Gurveer Singh 3-37.
    The rain interruptions meant Kelburne had to score 144 off 29 overs as per the Duckworth-Lewis Stern permutations but their innings just faltered from the start. There had been a couple of early wickets but they appeared to be mounting a serious reply but the introduction of Hamza Tahir into the Ayr attack knocked the stuffing out of the Kelburne batting. He took two wickets in 3 balls in his 2nd over when he dismissed Evan Fouche (12) and Ryan Murray (13). Lucas Farndale (5) was out to Ollie Jones in the 17th over and Hamza Tahir struck again in the 18th over trapping Zain Mohammad (0) LBW and then bowled Kyle Northend (9) first ball of the 20th over. Kelburne had fallen 43-2 in 13 overs to 58-7 after 20 overs and with their principal batting gone, the chance of attaining a much-needed victory was lost. Although Alexander Gilmour (14) and Ross MacLean (15) did their best, the innings concluded in the 28th over when Gavin Arbuckle (6) was last man out when he was bowled by Marcel Marconi. Kelburne were 94 all out in the 28th over, 49 runs shy of the DLS target.
    The main Ayr bowling was Hamza Tahir 4-19 and Marcel Marconi 2-11.
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    The game of the day in the Premiership with a respectful poignancy as both clubs played for the Spirit of Cricket cup in memory of Sandy Strang and Con de Lange, two cricketing legends who played for both.
    A home win today for Clydesdale would all but confirm a back to back championship victory with three games to go but their opposition, Ferguslie, their historical adversaries, would not be entertaining any of Clydesdale’s attempts to win the match. Always a keenly contested contest and one that is always a difficult result to predict.
    Clydesdale won the toss and invited Ferguslie to bat first. In an inning interspersed with rain delays, Taimoor Ahmad (63) was the batting of note while partners came and went as Ferguslie attempted to post a total. Although there were partnerships with Muhammed Mayet (11), Saif Sajjad (5), Gregor-Preston-Jones (11) and Ettiene Jewell (08) that yielded the bulk of the Ferguslie total, like the weather, it was a stop-start affair – you get going, looking set, off for rain and have to start all over again – a difficult task to keep going over an innings. The Ferguslie innings came to an end in the 44th over with a final total of 145 all out.
    The Clydesdale bowling that did the damage was Isaac Rahman 4-20, Rafay Khan 2-33 and Sheryar Awan 2-12.
    The Clydesdale response was patient and measured – an easy thing to do if you know that the target to reach can be achieved by simply rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Clydesdale passed the Ferguslie total in the 29th over for the loss of 2 wickets – Ali Khan (24) and Sheryar Awan (41) were the 2 wickets to fall with Craig Young (39 not out) and Richie Berrington (25 not out) the only other Clydesdale batters to feature.
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    The weather of the past few days would have made the playing conditions at Old Annieland interesting and certainly a pitch not to face the bowling blitzkrieg first up – win the toss, stuff the opposition in, bowl them out and then be patient chasing as you have become aware of how the wicket is playing – that thought process applied to both teams. A definite do-or-die dilemma for Dumfries as they needed a win today to improve their placing position percentage, and the greatest chance of that was having GHK bat first.
    Obviously GHK hadn’t read their own game-plan for today or looked at the Dumfries side that had rocked up at Old Annielsand – a Dumfries side packed with bowling options and impressive capabilities with the bat – GHK opted to bat first and were quickly finding themselves 37-4 after 12 overs. Ben Plowman had accounted for Zishan Zaman (1) and Fazal Jawad (1) in the opening 3 overs followed by first change bowler Adam Malik dismissing Nasratullah Safi (5) and Ali Majeed (21) in the space of 4 balls in the 12th over. Opening bowler Alan Davidson reduced GHK to 51-5 in his final over when he caught and bowled Muhammad Majeed and finished his 10 over spell with 1-29. Mo Naweed (14) was the 7th wicket to fall when he was caught off Sultan Kamran’s bowling when the score was 74.
    GHK then slumped to 99-8 off 36 overs when Ali Qasi (5) was out to Callum Reynolds-Lewis then 103-8 off 38 overs when Ahsan Rafiq (2) was caught off Reynold-Lewis. The final pair got GHK to 130 all out in 43 overs with Azeem Akbar (11 not out) and Issy Hussain (20) the last wicket to fall when he was caught of Plowman’s bowling.
    Dumfries had done well to bowl GHK out for 130 with Ben Plowman taking 3-19, Adam Malik 2-21 and Callum Reynolds-Lewis 2-20 but they had also let themselves down by bowling 27 wides, those 27 wides being the top scorer for GHK – would those 27 wides come back to haunt them?
    They did. The Dumfries innings was a just a tortuous procession of wickets and when Scott Beveridge (2) was dismissed, the total was 66-8 after 32 overs. Tommy McGrath (10) and Alan Davidson (14) managed to get them to the 38th over but both fell to the bowling of Ali Majeed in that over and Dumfries were 92 all out.
    GHK’s bowling figures were Zain Ullah 2-20, Muhammad Majeed 3-14 and Ali Majeed 3-8.
    Yet another win for GHK consolidating their 5th position but it was a fortuitous one. For Dumfries, another loss anchoring them to the foot of the table and now running out time and fixtures to change that position. Those 27 wides bowled came at a cost with them losing by 38 runs. The extra overs that needed to be bowled and the subsequent extra runs scored off them ultimately counted against them today in a low-scoring encounter that, realistically, they should have won.
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    There were going to be mid-table bragging rights for the victor today with Jekyll and Hyde playing the Kingmakers. Prestwick needed their sane cricketing personality to come out to play against a Drumpellier side who have discovered their batting prowess in recent weeks. A win would confirm the victor’s mid-table position for the rest of the season provided they don’t make a roger of it in the final 3 weeks.
    Although the match at Titwood would be always classed as game of the day, this was definitely the match of the day. Even though it was a rain interrupted contest, this certainly was a contest between two very evenly matched sides both missing regular players.
    Prestwick batted first and got off to a horror with Indy Singh (0) and Fraser MacDonald (0) both bowled by Chathuranga Kumara in the first over and the nightmare start of 0-2. Just like reading the Robert Louis Stevenson novella and considering the conflict between good and bad, I was wondering which of the duality personalities of the Prestwick batting, the good or the bad, was going to be on show. When Tiann Kuhn (9) was out to Adnan Bukhari and Prestwick 33-3 after 8 overs, I honestly thought the bad character was making an appearance. However, Sachin Chaudhary thought otherwise, and along with Euan McBeth (15), batted in a sane manner to calm the potential for madness. McBeth was bowled by Shehroz Mehmood in the 16th over but that small stand of 34 had steadied the Prestwick nerves somewhat.
    Chaudhary was joined at the wicket by Declan Botes and they shared a stand of 73 taking the Prestwick score to 140-5 until Botes (29) was out in the 32nd over. Ross Kennedy (08) helped Chaudhary keep the scoreboard going and after he was bowled by Mohsin Khan in the 40th over, Prestwick were now a healthier looking 166-5. Even though Gurupreet Singh (6) was bowled by Khan in the 42nd over, Callan Turner’s sensible knock of 24 assisted the Prestwick cause further until he was run out in the 49th over and Prestwick were 223-8. Fletcher Rao (1) was bowled in the 50th over but the final Prestwick total was 229-9 with Sachin Chaudhary undefeated with a very calm and measured 116 not out. A fantastic recovery from 0-2 by Prestwick and produced by batting in partnerships creating stands to build platforms to post a sizeable score. And hats off to Drumpellier for the sporting applause of Sachin’s ton.
    Drumpellier’s bowling figures of note were Chathuranga Kumara 3-38 and Mohsin Khan also taking 3-38. Two commendable bowling performances given the start/stop aspect of the innings due to rain delays and that the ball would have been like a bar of carbolic soap to bowl with.
    Drumpellier’s reply had an early loss when Muhammad Nadeem (5) by Ronan Alexander in the 6th over, but another 10 overs were bowled before the next wicket fell. Gordon Shaw (35) was caught by MacDonald off Alexander in the 16th and Drumps were 54-2. Hassan Azhar (9) came and went after being dismissed by Fletcher Rao in the 23rd over with the Langloan side 69-3. In among some tight Prestwick bowling, a stand of 70 followed with Chathuranga Kumara and Supeshala Jayathilake doing what they are good at – rotating the strike with ones and twos and occasional boundaries. The partnership came to an end in the 40th over when Jayathilake (32) was caught off the bowling of Indy Singh.
    At 139-4, the equation for Drumpellier was a simple one – 91 required off 10 overs with 6 wickets in hand. A big ask perhaps, but in recent weeks, the Drumpellier batting had certainly shown what it is capable of delivering.
    That ask was briefly stifled the following over when Adnan Bukhari (3) was LBW to Chaudhary, however, 35 runs came off the following four overs keeping Drumpellier up with the required run-rate. But it went awry in the 46th over when Chris Keltie (08) was bowled by the returning Tiann Kuhn leaving Drumpellier 178-6. The final possibilities of reaching the required target expired in the 47th and 48th overs, when in the space of 8 balls, Shehroz Mehmood (1) was stumped off Rao with Chathuranga Kumara (75) caught off Rao then Rayyann Khan (0) bowled by Kuhn. The final Drumpellier wicket fell when Nathan Allison (0) was bowled by Rao in the 49th over leaving them 40 runs short of the target and 189 all out.
    A disappointing end to what had been a spirited chase by Drumpellier but credit has to be given to the Prestwick bowling who stuck to their task of defence with Fletcher Rao 4-30, Tiann Kuhn 2-31 and Ronan Alexander 2-28.
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    Given the overnight weather and then the showery conditions throughout the day, it was pleasurable to see all five Premiership games completed without incident and also replete with umpires, a circumstance that couldn’t be repeated around the country due to an apparent shortage of umpires to be appointed to games, especially when we have now entered the business end of the season in all the various leagues and competitions.
    Instead of bemoaning the fact that there is a shortage, surely questions should really be asked of those in charge, whoever they are, as to why the likes of myself, a qualified umpire with numerous domestic and representative match appointments under my belt since I stopped playing due to injury, is either watching games at home via a computer screen or as a spectator at a ground in the west on a Saturday afternoon?
    To be honest, I’ve now found other things to do on a summer Saturday, and admittedly, have got used to being that type of spectator and doing this weekly review of the games that I have watched, but, and it does irk me, my benching as an umpire was never my choice and one that was made for me.
    It just seems a waste to have had an umpire available and not utilised when an act of simple engagement with me could have gone some way to remedy the current umpire shortage. That ship has sailed though, a long ship, in search of other adventures, and that is cricket’s loss.
    Perhaps it just my opinion, but is a pity that those that appear to be in charge do not want to readily engage with the general domestic cricketing community, whether it be clubs, members, players, spectators and officials past and present.
    Siggy
  • Week 14 – WDCU Premiership – Saturday 2nd August 2025 (5th August 2025)
    August has arrived already and we enter the crucial last 5 weeks of the league campaign. Results now are everything at both ends of the table and fortunes will be decided by every one of the remaining fixtures that get played.
    A fixture of huge importance to both clubs – the victor seeing the result as a lifebelt cast towards them to avoid relegation in what has been a disappointing campaign to date.
    Uddingston won the toss and batted first with an unusual opening pair in Keerat Singh and Abdul Sabri. I can only surmise that Abdul was elevated to opener and issued with a pinch-hitter role in the absence of Mo Awais. Sabri (4) fell in the first over, caught at mid-off by Ross MacLean off the bowling of Rahim Roghani. Aaman Ramzan joined Singh at the wicket and the pair put on a 59 run partnership until Ramzan (23) was bowled by Gurveer Singh in the 12th over. Harry Singh (17) was run out in the 22nd over with Uddingston now placed at 98-3. A 70 run partnership between Singh and Fergus Clarke came to an end when Clarke (29) was caught off the bowling of Zain Mohammad. At 168-4 off 37 overs, Uddingston will have fancied posting a large total on what looked a decent Bothwell batting track. Ross Lyons and Keerat Singh began to turn the screw on the Kelburne bowling.
    When Keerat Singh (78) was caught by Northend off Singh in the 42nd over and Uddingston were now 207-5, Keerat had only scored 8 runs from the fall of the previous wicket. Ross Lyons had decided to tee-off at Royal Bothwell and was quickly golfing the Kelburne bowling to all corners. The Uddingston innings concluded with them 288-6 with Ben Willmott (20) the only other Uddy wicket to fall when he was caught by Fouche off Farndale at 278 in the 49th over. Lyons finished his round 81 not out including four 4s and seven 6s with Rajarajan Kamaraj (1 not out) at the other end. Gurveer Singh took 2-78 but full credit to Zain Mohammad who bowled his 10 overs and finished 1-22.
    The Kelburne response never really got going, and just when it seemed to be waking up, it was very quickly put back to sleep. It suffered a dreadful start when Cammy MacLean (0) was caught off Abdul Sabri in the 1st over. Evan Fouche (2) was bowled by Sabri in the 5th over and by the 11th, Sabri had taken a third wicket when Harry Singh caught Kyle Northend (21) and Kelburne were 49-3. In the 15th over, Sabri had Lucas Farndale (1) caught by Rohail Jahan-Zeb then took his 5th wicket of the day in the 17th when he had Mo Kamran (37) also caught by Rohail Jahan-Zeb. With Kelburne now 72-5, the innings just got worse when Alexander Gilmour (0) was bowled by Tom Willmott in the 18th over and in the 19th over, Sabri took his 6th and final wicket of his spell when Zain Mohammad (0) was caught by Rohail Jahan-Zeb.
    At 75-7 after 19 overs, the Kelburne innings limped along with Rohail Jahan-Zeb getting Rahim Roghani (18) caught in the 24th over until it was finally put out of its misery in the 29th over when Gurveer Singh (0) was caught by Sabri off Rohail Jahan-Zeb and Kelburne’s last man, Pashtoon Barak declared retired leaving Ross MacLean 29 not out at the end.
    Sabri took 6-37 and Rohail Jahan-Zeb took 2-25.
    125 all out and a loss by 163 runs was not the day out in deepest Lanarkshire that Kelburne wanted, but for Uddingston, a welcome win that sees their percentage position improve in the table.
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    Stenny made the trip to Old Anniesland in the full knowledge that their league campaign for 2025 would be over if they didn’t win today against the anticipated bowling blitzkrieg. GHK would be looking at a win that would probably go a long way to guaranteeing their divisional status for 2026.
    GHK won the toss and invited Stenhousemuir to bat first. Peter Hamilton (4) was LBW to Zain Ullah in the 5th over. In the 9th over, Bahadar Esakhiel (1) was caught by Israr Hussain off Ullah and Stenhousemuir were 27-2. Stenhousemuir got themselves up to 54 in the 14th over then lost 3 wickets in the space of 11 deliveries. Yaseen Valli (27) was run-out on the last ball of the 14th over followed by Asad Izaz (0) LBW to Akbar first ball of the 15th over. Amir Shahzad (2) was then LBW to Muhammad Majeed in the 15th over and Stenhousemuir were now an uncormfortable 57-5.
    Callum Grant (3) was the next wicket to fall when he was LBW to Akhbar in the 21st over. Zander Smith and Ollie Townsend got a small partnership going but when Smith (49) was caught by Jawad off Mohammad Nawid in the 28th over, Stenny were now 113-7.
    Only 5 more runs were added to the total as Stenhousemuir were 118 all out in the 30th over – the returning Ullah bowled Nick Lister (5) and Nicky Rodgers (0) in consecutive balls in the 29th over with Ollie Townsend (4) last man out when he too was caught by Jawad off the bowling of Nawid the following over.
    The GHK bowling was Ullah 4-11, Akbar 2-40 and Nawid 2-10.
    GHK’s chase of the total was completed with them 123 for the loss of 3 wickets. Ali Majeed (12), Zishan Zaman (21) and Fazal Jawad (10) were the three GHK wickets to fall. Muhammed Majeed (63 not out) and Nasratullah Safi (11 not out) were the batters when the match finished in the 35th over.
    Nick Lister 0-7, Zander Smith 0-33 and Callum Grant 1-24 bowled 23 of those 35 overs in defence of their total, but not for the first time this season, Stenhousemuir lost as Nicky Rodger’s side was at least a couple of bowlers light on the day.
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    Drumpellier welcomed Dumfries to Langloan with high hopes of a win improving their mid-table status. For Dumfries, a win was the priority mission at hand given that the two clubs above them in the table were playing each other – a win would provide them with hope, and with hope comes faith and the faith in the team to possibly then overturn their misfortune season in the final weeks.
    But there was no charity today for Dumfries after Drumpellier won the toss and elected to bat first. Dumfries did have Drumpellier 2-2 in the 3rd over with Jordan Pryde (0) caught off James Hobman in the 1st over followed by Muhammad Nadeem (0) LBW to Hobman in the 3rd over, thereafter, it was a very long day in the field at Langloan.
    The Drumpellier innings finished in the 50th over with them 295-2 on the back of a 293 run partnership between Supeshala Jayathilake (112 not out) and Chathuranga Kumara (150 not out). There were a few boundaries but they only counted for 114 of that partnership (21 x 4 & 5 x 6), a partnership that constantly kept the scoreboard moving with singles, twos and a solitary three. Dumfries used 7 bowlers with James Hobman bowling 9 overs and taking 2-50.
    Dumfries were going to have to throw the bat at the ball and obviously have a bit of luck along the way if they were to overturn such a large score – neither event happened as the Dumfries innings dribbed and drabbed its way to 148 all out in 49 overs.
    Wickets fell here and there throughout with Munro Cubbon (26) top scorer and Fergus Bainbridge (22) in 2nd place. The wickets were spread out amongst the Drumpellier bowling with Adnan Bukhari 2-28, Jordan Pryde 2-49 and Josh Allison 3-27.
    A maintaining mid-table positional win for Drumpellier but another away-game trip for Dumfries to forget about.
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    This looked to be an interesting confrontation – Prestwick’s high scoring win last week was a filip in their see-saw season while Ferguslie would be hoping to get a win under their belt again.
    Although today was league cricket, this clash was part 1 of a double-header weekend between the two clubs with part 2 being played on Sunday, again at Meikelriggs, in the McCulloch Cup semi-final at 11.00am.
    Prestwick decided to bat first and put on 54 for the first wicket when Indy Singh (27) was caught behind by David Stafford off Ettiene Jewell in the 13th over. New batter, Declan Botes (0), was out the very next ball when he was caught at 1st slip by Taimoor Ahmad. Sachin Chaudhary (7) was then caught behind by Stafford off Jewell quickly followed by Tiann Kuhn (38) caught behind by Stafford off Jewell leaving Prestwick now 87-4 after 21 overs.
    When Euan McBeth (22) was LBW to Daoud Tahir in the 29th over, Prestwick looked to have returned to their slippery slope batting of late with them now 105-5, however Tom Fleet threw some salt down to at least make the last 20 overs passable. He, along with the remaining batting, nudged and nurdled the score along to 192 all out off 48 overs. Fleet (34) was ably assisted by Ross Kennedy’s 12 and Callan Turner’s 19 to finish with a reasonable total to try and defend.
    The Ferguslie bowling was Ettiene Jewell 4-31, Qasim Khan 2-35 and Uzair Ahmad 3-16.
    Although Ferguslie’s response initially stuttered with David Stafford (0) uncharacteristically bowled by Tiann Kuhn first up, their innings was one of patience. Adam Tahir (24) was caught by Fleet off Ronan Alexander to take the reply to 63-2 off 18 overs which brought Muhammad Mayet to the wicket and a subsequent 81 run partnership with Uzair Ahmad. Ahmad (78) was bowled by Declan Botes in the 36th over and Ferguslie 144-3 but no further wickets fell as Mayet (57 not out) and Taimoor Ahmad (28 not out) took the home team to victory in the 43rd over.
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    For the second week in a row, the league match of the day was at New Cambusdoon with Ayr hosting league leaders Clydesdale. Ayr needed to win to keep themselves in contention of winning the championship over the following four weeks, however, a Clydesdale victory would seriously deflate Ayr hopes while providing the Titwood men with a considerable points/percentage cushion over their nearest challengers for their remaining fixtures.
    Clydesdale won the toss and asked Ayr to bat, a decision I initially questioned given Ayr’s traditional batting first form at home, however, when Ayr had been reduced to 39-8 in the 21st over, there was obviously something in the wicket I couldn’t see. Had it not been for a rearguard batting performance by Neil Flack (49 not out), ably assisted by Robbie Walsh (10) and David Baines Junior (2), Ayr would not have sniffed finishing 99 all out in 34 overs.
    Most of Flack’s innings required him to occupy the crease for as long as possible while also managing the tail-enders at the other end and then hoovering the strike. A big ask of most but Neil’s innings today exemplified just how good a player he is and an under-rated batsman to boot as well.
    The Clydesdale bowling was outrageously effective in the opening 20 overs then fell away slightly as Neil Flack raised the drawbridge in defence of his club and trying to post a total. A learning curve for the Clydesdale bowlers possibly for future reference and how to deal with defiance but their final bowling figures were Isaac Rahman 2-31, Mo Ghaffar 4-15, Zeeshan Bashir 2-15 and Rafay Khan 2-28.
    Paddy Barbour and Sheryar Awan opened up for Clydesdale in their pursuit of a 100 to win. Clydesdale passed the total in the 20th over for the loss of two wickets: Barbour (20) bowled by Michael English to make the score 30-1 after 5 overs and Craig Young (37) when he was caught and bowled by Brayden Riggs in the 20th over and the total was 93-2.
    A chastening defeat for Ayr that makes their tie with GHK earlier in the season a bitter pill to swallow as today’s loss leaves a serious dent in their championship aspirations. For Clydesdale, another win under their belt.
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    McCulloch Cup Finals Day – Meikleriggs – Ferguslie Cricket Club – Sunday 3rd August 2025
    The semi-finals and final of this year’s McCulloch Cup competition are being held at Ferguslie.
    The first semi-final starts at 11.00am with Ferguslie playing Prestwick.
    The second semi-final is slated for 2.30pm with GHK playing Clydesdale.
    The final is scheduled for 6.00pm.
    Good luck to all the teams today.
    If you can, pop into the field of dreams and watch some of the action – you are always welcome at Ferguslie.
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    And what a week that was…
    There were an awful lot of positives to be had this week in the ‘associated to the WDCU cricketing world’ that I frequent.
    The first was as a representative of Football’s Square Mile and being part of an event with WESTA, the West of Scotland Tartan Army, who had a social evening in the Rhoderick Dhu in Waterloo Street, Glasgow last Friday. I gave a 10 minute presentation called ‘Six degrees of Separation – From Poloc to Brazil’ and explained how Glasgow area cricket clubs helped give football to the world.
    I won’t elaborate but a journey of connections, associations and friendships detailed how football has an awful lot to thank our cricket for – your cricket.
    In last week’s review, there was a competition to win a signed copy of ‘As the Willow Vanishes’ and two places on Lindsay Hamilton’s Glasgow Football Tour Subway tour – there were 27 entries (Paul Hoffman, Gill McElnea and Malcolm Cannon were close) and the lucky winner was Stenhousemuir captain, Nicky Rodgers, who correctly guessed what I may have said back in the day. Well done Nicky – Lindsay and I will get the prizes over to you shortly.
    On Tuesday 29th July until Thursday 31st July, Stirling County Cricket Club hosted the 2025 over 40s Triple Crown festival featuring Scotland Seniors Cricket, Ireland, Wales and England. England were the eventual winners but thanks have to be given to all the members and staff of Stirling County Cricket Club for making the festival a great success and also showcasing what our cricket has to offer and hats off to Scotland Seniors Cricket for all the hard work bringing the festival to Scotland and thoroughly enjoyed, on and off the field, by all involved. Jon Taylor was a very happy Jambo in his role as ‘mein host’ for his club and the festival.
    On Thursday, new Cricket Scotland President, Omar Henry, popped into New Williamfield to catch up with folks, say hello and watch some of the Triple Crown cricket. Afterwards, he went to Titwood, spoke to Clydesdale members and went over to the nets and chatted to players and the Clydesdale pro, Sizwe Masondo. I’ve known Omar for 45 years and it was good to see him – I sneaked a selfie with the great man himself outside the clubhouse with the Football’s Square Mile plaque in the background.
    Yesterday, Mel Curry caught up with the overseas players of Ferguslie, Muhammad Mayet and Ettiene Jewell, during their match versus Prestwick. Football’s Square Mile are proud to be the shirt sponsors for both players for the 2025 season and it was too good a photographic opportunity to miss out on.
    And at Drumpellier, a local resident, John Muldoon, popped into Langloan to catch some of the cricket, and was made to feel most welcome by the likes of Gordon Shaw and Stevie Allison. John sent me a photograph with the following tag-line – “A lovely Saturday evening at Drumpellier Cricket Club – there is no equal on a sunny evening like this.”
    And on Friday 1st August 2025, Queen’s Park Football Club announced the initiative they have put in place with Lindsay Hamilton and her Glasgow Football Tour. Well done Lindsay – I am sure a number of cricketers and supporters will meet up with you in the coming months.
    And all of this takes you back to the six degrees of separation – football’s story, its development, Queen’s Park Football Club, the creation of international football, the Scottish Football Association, the Scottish Cup, the unification of the laws, the explosion of football around the world etc etc all coming back to a unique origin point of involvement – our cricket, its intertwining with another sport and what the clubs and members have been responsible for, and that even Omar Henry is a part of it all – from Poloc to Brazil – something to be proud of.
    And so we should be.
    Siggy
  • Week 12 – WDCU Premiership – Saturday 19th July 2025 (20th July 2025)
    Prestwick’s win last week against Kelburne gave them breathing room and lifted them out of the relegation zone. Another result today and other fixtures going their way and Prestwick would find themselves slightly further up the table. But today’s opponents were Stenhousemuir, 3rd place and always a match with a challenge.
    Prestwick chose to bat first in an innings that became reduced by the weather. Finishing on 143-7 with Tom Fleet top scorer with 25 not out, Prestwick had set Stenhousemuir a competitive target to reach in 38 overs.
    When Stenhousemuir were finally taken from the field after the 28th over, they were 86-6 and 57 runs behind. They had lost 3 wickets cheaply around the 50 run mark and then a further 2 around the 79 run mark, and although the possibility of victory was certainly attainable if the final 10 overs were bowled, the loss of those 5 wickets earlier in the innings had affected their Duckworth Lewis Stern permutations and when play was ceased, Stenhousemuir were about 14 runs light of where they needed to be.
    Not the best way to lose a match but Stenhousemuir will also have to look at another contributory factor for their result today – 2 no balls and 29 wides – that’s 31 runs given away for a start plus the extra runs from the extra balls bowled – another 15 at least. Stenhousemuir were 15 runs light of a winning score when play was stopped.
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    Joel Garner at the Tryst – Monday 25th August 2025
    There are still a few tickets left for this event but not for long – The cost of this once in a lifetime event is £40.00.
    Contact Tom Dickson tom@tdickson.co.uk for tickets — your email should have the subject Joel Garner Ticket.
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    A win for Drumpellier today would maintain their safety mid-table and avoiding the dog fight below them, but for Kelburne, a win was imperative if they were to maintain their hopes of avoiding relegation come the end of August.
    Kelburne won the toss and asked Drumpellier to bat first, a decision that Ross MacLean can thank the weather for snuffling out and him not having to possibly rue making in the future.
    Kelburne did not bowl badly, far from it as a couple of early wickets had fallen and Drumpellier were 18-2 after 5 overs. What happened next is hard to describe but it was like I had entered a time machine that had transported today’s game back to the 1980s and Drumpellier had inserted two of their heroes from that epoch in Budhi Kunderan and Sajid Ali to the crease – it wasn’t explosive or destructive batting, it was expansive batting – gaps were exploited, quick runs taken and the bad/loose ball very much punished. A 150 run partnership came in 25 overs, and when the umpires took the players from the field due to the falling rain, Supeshala Jayathilake was 45 not out and Chathuranga Kumara was 93 not out and Drumps were 168-2 off 30 overs.
    The weather did not improve and the match was eventually abandoned but I was disappointed that I never got to see how this contest was going to pan out with bat and ball for both sides.
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    Stenhousemuir’s oldest surviving former player, Gordon Taylor (90 years old) and his wife Joy, who now live in nearby Barrassie, were at Prestwick today to watch the cricket and catch up with friends of old.
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    Revenge was first and foremost on the GHK mind before a ball was bowled today – they had been given a serious doing in the reverse fixture at the start of the season and would have been itching to prove a point. For Clydesdale, this was a difficult fixture against a side that can really make oppositions struggle.
    An interesting decision by Clydesdale to ask GHK to bat first given the weather forecast and the blitzkrieg the Clydesdale batting would probably have to face chasing in potentially rain-affected conditions, but it probably was the correct one and also cognisant of DLS equations and match outcomes, especially when chasing a title.
    When the rain did come and the match was finally abandoned, GHK were 111-2 off 33 overs. Zishan Zaman (29) and Fazal Jawad (56 not out) had been responsible for 85 of that total and, like elsewhere on the card, the ‘what if’ factors come into play – what if GHK scored 200?, what if GHK were 150 all out? what if Clydesdale lost early wickets? what if Clydesdale got off to a flier?
    We will never know but it was shaping up to be an intriguing game of cricket at Old Anniesland.
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    Uddingston played 2nd place Ayr today and needed a performance from their players to guarantee a win that would go a long way to avoid the drop in 6 weeks time. Ayr needed a win to maintain their place chasing Clydesdale and the percentage in the bank to use if attempting to leapfrog them in the coming weeks.
    A fascinating contest was developing at Bothwell Policies with the Villagers batting first. When rain stopped play for the day in the 40th over, Uddingston were 141-3 with Mohammad Ramzan 71 not out and Zaighum Ahmad 14 not out. 200+ was a distinct possibility especially with the damage that Ross Lyons and Abdul Sabri are both more than capable of inflicting on bowling in the death overs of an innings.
    A finely poised match that, as a neutral, would have been one to see come to a conclusion. Michael English had taken 2-29 off 7 overs with Flack and Tahir bowled out, so a final Uddingston total would have been interesting reading. A flicker of a revival amongst the Uddingston batting ranks perhaps, but it would have been a spectacle to enjoy as a whole and what the Ayr reply would have been.
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    Rowan Charity Cup Finals Day
    Sunday 20th July 2025 at Langloan
    11.00 BST Semi-Final #1 – Prestwick v Uddingston
    14.00 BST Semi-Final #2 – Clydesdale v Ferguslie
    18.00 BST Final
    With possibly being the World’s oldest Twenty 20 style competition, having been continuously played for 100 years, The Rowan Cup is the premier short form competition of the WDCU.
    The Rowan Charity Cup competition was instituted in 1922 on the initiative of Mr. G. R. Beattie of West of Scotland Cricket Club, with the cup itself to be presented by Mr. H. B. Rowan. Eleven clubs participated in the first season’s play in 1923, with twenty five clubs participating in 2023.
    There have only ever been 16 winners of the Rowan Charity Cup with the traditional Western Union clubs all having at least one success along with Glasgow University, Glasgow Accies, Glasgow HSFP, East Kilbride, Stirling County, and most recently, Prestwick in 2023.
    With Drumpellier celebrating its 175th anniversary in 2025, it seemed particularly apt that the semi-finals and final for the Rowan Cup are played at Langloan. In the long history of the competition, there have been a many great finals over the years, but perhaps the most thrilling climax in the competition’s long history was held on Thursday 12th July 1945 – a glorious evening for cricket as a large crowd of nearly 3000 souls filled the Hamilton Crescent enclosure in Partick to witness The Rowan Charity Cup Final between Drumpellier and Kilmarnock.
    Drumpellier prevented Kilmarnock scoring 3 of the last over to win their first Rowan Charity Cup, and according to the press reports of the time “deserved not only the cup, but medals as well”.
    Here’s hoping for an exciting finish in this year’s final.
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    A trip to Meikleriggs is never easy but the prospect of facing the Ferguslie batting first-up is a daunting one. An expensive afternoon in the field lay ahead for Dumfries if their bowlers weren’t spot on from the start and their batting was going to have to produce totals throughout the order if they were to have any chance at all.
    Ferguslie won the toss and asked Dumfries to bat first. The variation of the Ferguslie bowling did for Dumfries with only Adam Malik (24) and Max Corbett-Byers (11) hitting double figures. The Dumfries innings was silenced in 24 overs with them 70 all out. The pick of the Ferguslie bowling was Ettiene Jewell 4-20, Daoud Tahir 3-10 and Haroon Tahir 2-2
    The Ferguslie reply was brisk – it only took 8.3 overs to post 73-2 – the only wickets to fall were David Stafford (27) and Taimoor Ahmad (7) with Uzair Ahmad 27 not out and Saif Sajjad 11 not out.
    Richard S Young
  • Week 11 – WDCU Premiership – Saturday 12th July 2025 (14th July 2025)
    Stenny welcomed Dumfries to a sun-kissed Tryst and the hopes of a win to keep their Championship challenge alive – a loss today and that challenge would become difficult to realise. For Dumfries, an away day trip loss could take them into the dangerous territory of playing skirmish cricket for the rest of the season and battling against those around them in the table to remain a Premier Division club for 2026.
    Dumfries, with a few changes to their team, decided to bat first and although losing Al Davidson (7) in the 2nd over, looked particularly well set to post a largish total with Wahid Jabarkhil and Adam Malik at the crease. Malik (24) was caught behind by Valli off Nick Lister in the 20th over and Dumfries were 76-2. A couple of bowling changes were made at either end before Wahid Jabarkhil (43) was out to Callum Grant in the 27th over. Jabarkhil, who normally plays 2nd team cricket, did not look out of place as an opener for the 1st team and I hope he gets retained for the future games. His departure left Dumfries 95-3 with 23 overs to bat and a likelihood of a 200+ total was on the cards.
    But the Dumfries innings stumbled with the remaining 7 wickets falling for 36 runs over 17 overs to end up 131 all out in the 44th over. To be fair though, the taking of 3 wickets in 4 balls in the 31st over by Callum Grant effectively smothered any Dumfries hopes of posting a sizeable total.
    Nick Lister again bowled his allotted overs with frugality for 2-24 while Callum Grant took 4-21 and Zander Smith finished with 2-9.
    The Dumfries bowling was going to have to be good right from the start if they were to defend their total. Stenny’s Yaseen Valli had already scored 585 league runs from 8 innings with a batting average of 83.57 before facing a ball today so the focus had to be on those around him. Peter Hamilton (32) was the only Stenny wicket to fall when he was caught by Hobman off Chris Brockwell in the 13th over and the total was 55. Asad Izaz (23 no) joined Valli (67 no) as Stenhousemuir passed the required total in the 27th over.
    Another win for Stenhousemuir as the season, like today’s weather, heats up and Yaseen Valli now marches on with 652 runs from 9 innings and an average of 93.14. Stenny maintain their 3rd place and the chase for the title but Dumfries have now got themselves into difficulty and need results as their next July opponents are Ferguslie (away) and Prestwick at home and every match has become a skirmish in a season long campaign to see who wins the league and who gets relegated.
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    Joel Garner is coming to the Tryst.
    The Number 1 ranked ODI fast bowler EVER will deliver a talk and answer your questions in the Clubhouse. There will be a photo opportunity and time to chat with the great man at the bar after the event.
    There will be a complimentary Rum Punch as you arrive and a Caribbean Buffet served mid way. The cost of this once in a lifetime event is £40.00.
    LOC Hire Stenhousemuir Cricket Club members will get first dibs on tickets – but only until 17th July when they will be available to the general public. Contact Tom Dickson tom@tdickson.co.uk for tickets — your email should have the subject Joel Garner Ticket.
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    A perfect example of skirmish cricket at play was the encounter at Whitehaugh between Kelburne and Prestwick – today’s result would have significant bearing on both clubs and current positions in the 2025 table and their respective possible divisional status for the 2026 season – neither side could afford to lose.
    Prestwick batted first with Indy Singh and the recalled Fraser MacDonald opening up for the visitors. The 1st wicket fell in the 14th over when MacDonald (29) was caught behind by Northend off Ross MacLean and the score was 55. MacDonald was visibly disappointed by his dismissal as he was looking in good form with the bat, a quality that his team-mates have struggled with in recent weeks. And the following few overs continued that recent pattern, much to the disdain of the sizeable Prestwick support that had made their way to Whitehaugh – Declan Botes (2) was bowled by MacLean in the 16th, Calum Rodger (4) was bowled by Zain Mohammad in the 19th and when a clearly struggling Sachin Chaudhary (0) was LBW to Joseph Silvin in the 24th, Prestwick were 75-4 and perhaps, not for the first time either this season, staring down the stark possibility of all done for under a ton and only themselves to blame.
    But captain Tom Fleet was having none of that today as he and Indy Singh carefully navigated the troubled waters of the next 15 overs until Singh (53) was bowled by Lucas Farndale in the 39th over and Prestwick had got to 122-5. Fleet (30) was sunk in the 44th over when bowled by MacLean and hats off to the remaining Prestwick batters who somehow eeked a further 50 runs to the total for the loss of 2 wickets and finished 191-8. Contributions from Euan McBeth (18) and Gurupreet Singh (28 no) helped the Prestwick cause.
    Kelburne’s bowlers of note were Ross MacLean 3-50 and Lucas Farndale 3-47.
    Although the Kelburne reply lost Cameron MacLean (5) LBW to Gurupreet Singh in the 2nd over, Zain Mohammad and Lucas Farndale batted patiently and without any flamboyance for the next 20 overs putting runs on the board. There was a stutter in the 23rd and 24th overs when Mohammad (15) was bowled by Ronan Alexander and then Farndale (28) fell LBW to Indy Singh. At 72-3 off 24 overs, I thought Kelburne had enough batting in the tank with the likes of Fouche, Northend, Kamran, Cook and Roghani all more than capable of seeing them home, but I obviously misread the Prestwick escape committee’s script for today.
    The 4th Kelburne wicket fell in the 31st over when Evan Fouche (16) was LBW to Sachin Chaudhary and four balls later, Mo Kamran (0) was also LBW to Chaudhary. Now 98-5, Kelburne were still in the game but just needed to bat sensibly and patiently to get the 90 runs required for victory off the last 17 overs. Kyle Northend (13) suddenly decided to have an unnecessary cleave at Chaudhary and was caught on the deep mid-wicket boundary to leave Kelburne 101-6. It only took a further 7 overs for the Kelburne innings to finish – the guile of Chaudhary combined with the pace of the returning Kuhn accounted for the final 4 wickets with Kelburne 120 all out in the 40th over.
    Prestwick’s bowling reply came on the back of Sachin Chaudhary’s 4-24 wirh Tiann Kuhn mopping up with 3-20 at the death, but this was a team performance on the field giving this club hope and possibly guiding them towards safety and a light in the black that has befallen their cricket this season.
    Kelburne lost by 71 runs but they had today won if they had batted patiently – the runs needed would have come by simply occupying the crease, having partnerships and creating stands to build the necessary platforms – I’ve repeated that mantra all season now for different sides and various matches and situations and it still rings true. Kelburne are a good side with decent players throughout but they now need to get dirty to get out of the hole they’ve fallen into.
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    Uddingston, after their derby win two week’s past, will have been desperate to get on the pitch and get another result in the bag – and likewise, a win today for Ferguslie could see them narrowing the distance between themselves and Clydesdale.
    Ferguslie won the toss and batted first and the run machine that is Ferguslie made Uddingston endure an uncomfortable afternoon in the sweltering sunshine fetching leather. There is a relentless brutality about the Ferguslie batting line-up when it is in full swing and as a bowler myself, I’m glad I’ve retired from playing and don’t have to bowl to it. Although Muhammed Mayet (28) was the first wicket to fall at 75, David Stafford (72) kept the pace going with him out in 31st over and Ferguslie 136-3. But the bludgeoning of the Uddingston bowling didn’t stop there – Uzair Ahmad (27), Taimoor Ahmad (65) and Saif Sajjad (54 no) got the final total to 285-7 off their 50 overs.
    Credit to Ross Lyons who bowled his ten overs 2-37 and Keerat Singh with his 2-41.
    The Uddingston reply never really got going with Mo Awais (0) falling LBW first ball of the innings to Muhammed Mayet. Although Amaan Ramzan (39) top scored for the Villagers, the rest of the batting fell victim to the controlled bowling of Taimoor Ahmad (2-34) and Haroon Tahir (4-6) and Uddingston were 105 all out in 32 overs, 180 runs light of their target.
    Another win for Ferguslie as they continue to chase down Clydesdale but for Uddingston, another Saturday of disappointment.
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    Ayr welcomed GHK to New Cambusdoon with a degree of wariness about their guests. The reverse fixture at the start of the season had seen the match end in a tie, and Ayr would be acutely aware of the bowling threat that GHK possess.
    With a team very different to previous ones, probably due to availability issues, holibags and other commitments, it was surprising that Ayr chose to bat first but then again Michael English continues to surprise with his captaincy decisions.
    With Marcel Marconi (7), Michael English (24), Ollie Jones (25) and Michael Maxwell (0) all back in the pavilion and Ayr 80-4 after 20 overs, the pressure was on what was still to come to stay at the crease and post a collective total – and they did.
    Two successive partnerships with Neil Flack as the main batter gave Ayr the platforms to build a respectable total to defend. The first stand saw Flack and Gavin Murray compile a stand of 61 until Murray (26) was caught and bowled by Majeed in the 32nd over and Ayr were 141-5. The second stand featuring Flack and Brayden Riggs yielded 67 runs to the total and only ended in the 45th over when Flack (73) was caught off the bowling of Nasratullah Safi leaving Ayr 208-6. The final few overs saw the swish and although a further 3 wickets fell, the runs gathered by Riggs (26) and the tail would prove vital for the Ayr cause. The innings finished with Ayr 233-9 and the GHK bowling of Zain Ullah 2-37, Mohammad Nawid 2-45 and Muhammad Majeed 2-36.
    Inspired captaincy, clever match selection or a measured gamble, Michael English opened the bowling himself with Robbie Walsh at the other end – and it quickly paid off. GHK found themselves 44-4 after 10 overs and their gun batters all dismissed by the seam of Walsh. An 80 run stand by Muhammad Majeed (42) and Nasratullah Safi (48) was broken by Walsh when he had Majeed caught and GHK were now 124-5 after 29 overs and Walsh had got himself a wee Michelle in the sun. Bowling changes brought about some tight overs that applied pressure on GHK for Ollie Jones to remove Safi in the 38th over leaving GHK 149-6 needing 84 to win off the last 12 overs. Neil Flack snuffled out the last four wickets and GHK were 200 all out.
    Robbie Walsh bowled his 10 overs and took 5-40 and Neil Flack took 4-33. A good game of cricket to watch with the final outcome fluctuating throughout most of the match.
    For Ayr, a vital win for their campaign that keeps them in 2nd place but also batting and bowling performances when needed. For GHK, a loss to their cause and an opportunity to reflect upon the consequences of bowling 23 wides, but they picked up points chasing a total that leapfrogs them over Drumpellier into 5th place in the table.
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    The two senior clubs of the WDCU met at Titwood and although important cricket was the order of the day, the match was also another celebration of the 175 years worth of summer Saturday afternoon sporting contests both clubs have played between them.
    For Clydesdale, a win would maintain their position at the top of the table with 100% record to date and for Drumpellier, a win would consolidate their 5th place spot but bring the championship to life for the three clubs immediately above them for the remainder of the season.
    Drumpellier opted to bat first but the initial half of their innings was littered with wickets falling at intervals making it difficult to get a momentum going to post a total. When Chris Keltie was out in the 20th over, Drumpellier were a precarious 57-5, but spirited stands by Supeshala Jayathilake (65), Will Leslie (30), Darren Pryde (19 no) and Joshua Allison (11) combined to get Drumps up to 176-9 off their 50 overs.
    The Clydesdale bowling was Mo Ghaffar 3-30, Isaac Rahman 2-37 and Zeeshan Bashir 2-21.
    Drumpellier had Clydesdale 0-1 in the first over when Hafiz Murtaza (0) was trapped LBW second ball off Chathuranga Kumara but another 59 runs were added before the 2nd wicket in the 11th over when Ali Khan (24) was LBW to Mohsin Khan. A 3rd wicket fell in the 30th over when Joshua Allison had Sheryar Awan (37) caught by Supeshala Jayathilake but no more wickets were to fall thereafter. Sizwe Masondo (76 no) finished the innings with a 6 when the scores were tied but it wasn’t show-boating on his part – this is mid-July and Siswe hasn’t had a lot of league batting to date due to Clydesdale chasing lowish totals and not being required or having 3 games in a row washed out. He looked the part in the first match against Drumpellier and he did again today – a classical bat and one to be wary of.
    Clydesdale maintain their 100% record while Drumpellier showed their resilience in adversity and posted a total for Clydesdale to chase, something that most clubs have struggled to do this season.
    And this fixture between the two senior clubs of the WDCU brought home the depth of history that our cricket has and is responsible for. There were photographs earlier this week on other social media fora featuring Shawholm, the home of Poloc Cricket Club, and it highlighted how fragile our cricket really is – the recent loss of Poloc to the game still hurts but when you see the names of so many clubs from our geography that have gone in the last 40 years or so, we have to collectively wake up and protect, preserve and promote the ones that are left for future generations to enjoy.
    Vale of Leven are facing difficulties, Hillhead have internal issues to resolve and many others have a varied number of negative factors impacting on them – they all need our support.
    Drumpellier is currently celebrating its 175th anniversary this season and congratulations to the club.
    Here’s to at least another 175 and I hope that the extant WDCU clubs will be there to celebrate with Shimla Cottage Drumpellier Cricket Club when they do.
    Richard S Young
  • Week 10 – WDCU Premiership – Saturday 5th July 2025 (10th July 2025)

    The past few days of dreich smir put paid to the chances of a full calendar of Premier league cricket being played today. Hopefully the weather pattern changes for the better soon as we have entered the business side of the season and lost games to the weather mean lost opportunities to resolve or improve positions in the league.

    Drumpellier v Ayr at Langloan and GHK V Uddingston at Old Anniesland were the early casualties of the Premiership programme for the day.

    Ferguslie Cricket Club v LOC Hire Stenhousemuir Cricket Club

    Ferguslie were entertaining Stenhousemuir at Meikleriggs and a delayed start had the game reduced to 34 overs a side. Stenhousemuir won the toss and put Ferguslie in to bat first. Some may question Nicky Rodgers decision to bowl first, but it was the right decision – a reduced over contest and for the first time in a few weeks, an engine room of at least 6 bowlers to call upon to bowl them. The return of Zander Smith added to the talents of Husnain Atif, Nick Lister, Amir Shahzad, Praveen Pinnamaneni and Callum Grant gave Rodgers a valuable weapon to use but he needed them to bowl flatter, fuller, up-to-the-bat and definitely no width. If they did, especially against the most in-form batting line-up of the WDCU, a few early successes could restrict Ferguslie in posting a total that could cause Stenhousemuir problems trying to chase.

    Husnain Atif had the ever-dangerous David Stafford (2) caught behind in the 1st over and then had Muhammed Mayet (16) caught behind in the 9th over and Ferguslie were 30-2 after 10 overs. At the other end, Nick Lister bowled his seamers with years of experience showing and was desperately unlucky to have no reward for his efforts. Atif bowled 5 overs 2-19 and Lister bowled his 7 overs with figures of 0-20.

    But from here on in, the bowling became expensive as Uzair Ahmad (67no) and Taimoor Ahmad (57) rode the various Stenhousemuir bowling changes for a partnership of 123 over the next 23 overs. For the first time in a few weeks, Nicky Rodgers had a bowling attack to use and an opportunity to record a signature win against the form side in the league and how the result would impact both clubs and their respective season going forwards – his bowlers let that moment slip.

    Although there was a flurry of wickets in the final three overs of the Ferguslie innings, those 3 wickets alone came at a cost of 26 runs and Ferguslie finished up being 170-5 off their 34 overs. Pinnamaneni took 1- 31 off his 4 overs while Smith was an expensive 2-39 off his 5 overs.

    Ferguslie opened the bowling with Muhammed Mayet at one end and Taimoor Ahmad at the other and a 10 over spell that reduced Stehousemuir to 40-4. Peter Hamilton (6) was caught by Uzair Ahmed from a delivery from Taimoor Ahmad while Asad Izaz (2) was caught by Taimoor Ahmad off Mayet. Yasin Valli (19) clipped a ball off his legs down to a wideish fine-leg and 2 runs had been completed – he called for a 3rd but Bahadar Esakhiel was run out to a return throw to the gloves of David Stafford, a wicketkeeper that knows where the stumps are and has very quick hands, who promptly whipped the bails off with Ezakhiel inches short of the crease. A salutory lesson for young Ezakhiel to learn from perhaps that when batting with the pro, run the 1st run hard and don’t dawdle with the 2nd run – he would have made his ground for the 3rd if he had done so because he would have given himself that extra yard or so to use to his advantage. After batting so well last week with Esakhiel, you could see the dismay on Valli’s shoulders as he heard the run-out behind him and it clearly affected his batting and his game-plan – in the 12th over, he fell over himself and spooned a delivery from Daoud Tahir down the throat of Saif Sajjad at midwicket and Stenny were now 38-5.

    Stenny’s reply and hopes of victory now lay on the shoulders on Callum Grant and Zander Smith having a partnership together and making a serious dent in the runs required. Grant (11) was caught behind off Jewell in the 15th over and Smith was bowled by Daoud Tahir (10) in the 18th leaving Stenny 60-7. Rodgers (5) was caught off Jewell in the 19th and Pinnamaneni (19) fell LBW to Daoud Tahir in the 22nd over and Stenhousemuir were 84-9. The longest partnership of the innings was with the last pair in Nick Lister (16 no) and Husnain Atif (5) and came to an end when Atif was caught by Adam Tahir off the bowling of young Jamie Rennie.

    Jamie Rennie, Under 16 player, was handed a 1st team bowling opportunity and bowled nearly 4 overs and took 1-22 – he looks a serious talent in the making and yet further proof of the fantastic youth development structure that Ferguslie maintains but also nurtures over by giving youngsters a chance by giving them a taster of 1st team league cricket and hope that they want to aspire to playing more of. Keeps the 1st team looking over their shoulders because under-performers can be easily replaced with what they have coming through their home-grown ranks.

    The pick of the Ferguslie bowling was Mayet 2-23, Jewell 2-17 and D. Tahir 3-21

    Stenhousemuir were 111 all out in the 27th over and rue the opportunity they had today and didn’t use. For Ferguslie, another win under their belt and an adjustment made to their sights and the target above them in the table.

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    A Farewell to WoSACO

    On Friday 4th July at West of Scotland Cricket Club, the final West of Scotland Association of Cricket Officials (WoSACO) gathering took place. A last event to reminisce, remember, celebrate, enjoy and toast the last 60 odd years of what this organisation with its umpires and scorers brought to cricket in the west, to Scottish cricket and also internationally.

    One of the oldest umpiring associations anywhere in the world, it had evolved over time from the fractious days of the 1890s when league cricket first started getting played with the WDCU being one of the earliest leagues formed – there was a distinct need to have neutral umpires appointed for the matches being played, a need going back over 150 years. A regular circumstance up to the formation of the WDCU in 1893 was the abandonment of games over umpiring decisions as evidenced by the attached newspaper cutting from the Daily Mail of 12th July 1875 and the days of over 2000 clubs in the west playing cricket. The WDCU tried a principled resolution but even in its earliest format, grumblings were evidenced. When you consider that these grumblings are from the 1890s and the Victorian era and then compare them to the issues of just now… and it took another 70 years for what evolved into being called WoSACO to appear to resolve those issues and stop those grumblings.

    And what a fantastic job WoSACO did.

    Allan Jack, as Chairman of WoSACO, gave a poignant eulogy remembering the last 60 years and also thanked everyone, past and present, for their assistance and contribution to the association and what it had delivered to cricket. This delivery will be missed (it already is and that is plain to see just now in the cricket, east and west) and that it had been an honour to be a part of it, a feeling expressed by all those that were present last night.

    A phrase often expressed elsewhere never felt so aptly applicable as the evening concluded “Once it’s gone, it’s gone” – I hope that players, clubs, cricket and governing bodies now begin to appreciate what this association brought to an amateur sport and has been now lost, gone forever.

    “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and “look to the past to find the answers for the future” are another couple of phrases that apply in my opinion.

    Raise a glass, tea cup or coffee mug and toast WoSACO and thank them for what they did – believe me when I say that although you probably didn’t appreciate what it did when it was in existence but I have a feeling you’ll be wishing it was still about in the seasons yet to come. I’m honoured to have played countless games in my own career with WoSACO officials present, but I am also extremely proud to have been a WoSACO official myself and stood in numerous matches with colleagues that it has been my pleasure to stand with – thank you.

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    Vigilant Dumfries Cricket Club v Kelburne Cricket

    Kelburne made the journey to Nunholm and were asked to bat first by Dumfries. Although Zain Mohammad (3) was bowled by James Hobman and Kelburne were 18-1 after 7 overs, Cameron MacLean and Lucas Farndale grafted away taking the total to 57 until Farndale (08) was caught by Bainbridge from a Nairn Cubbon delivery.

    Cammy MacLean (63) was bowled by Chris Brockwell and will be disappointed with himself – he had a great opportunity to score a ton today and looked well-set when out and Kelburne were 88-1 off 21 overs. Kyle Northend (13) got the score along to 113 when he was caught by Hobman off the bowling of Munro Cubbon. Evan Fouche (30) was the next wicket to fall in the 28th over caught by big Al Davidson off a Callum Reynolds-Lewis delivery and Kelburne were now 134-5 just after the halfway point in the innings.

    Mo Kamran and Jamie Cook took the Kelburne total along to 156-5 in the 33rd when Brockwell struck with a two wickets in two ball combo – Kamran (12) was caught by Malik and Ross MacLean (0) was trapped LBW first ball up. At 157-7, I thought that the Kelburne innings would expire quite quickly but to be fair to the tail, they stayed around for another 11 overs and scored a further 38 runs to the total. Jamie Cook (18) was bowled by Brockwell in the 35th, Pashtoon Barak (5) was caught by Ben Plowman off Reynolds-Lewis in the 38th and the last pair of Rahim Roghani (12 no) and Joseph Silvin (2) sclaffed and scarpered a final partnership of 20 until Silvin fell LBW to the returned Hobman in the 44th over. A final total of 194 all out for Kelburne and the pick of the Dumfries bowling being Hobman with 2-21, Brockwell with 4-35 and Reynolds-Lewis with 2-29.

    The Dumfries reply stuttered earlier doors with Al Davidson (0), Adam Malik (13) and Andrew Dawson (6) all falling victim to a 5 over spell of 3-16 from Rahim ‘Ozzy’ Roghani and when Pashtoon Parak had Chris Bellwood (5) caught by Jamie Cook, Dumfries were 20-4 after 10 overs.

    Fergus Bainbridge (23) and Ben Plowman had a small stand of 24 but when Jamie Cook dismissed both of them in the 21st and 23rd overs respectively, Dumfries found themselves 60-6. Chris Brockwell (7) was caught by Cook off Ross MacLean in the 24th and Jamie Cook had yet another catch in 25th when he caught and bowled James Hobman (0). Dumfries were now 69-8 and a lot to ask of their remaining batting. To be fair to it, it put on another 41 runs until Nairn Cubbon was run out at 106 in the 32nd over and Callum Reynolds-Lewis (2) was last man out when LBW to Joseph Silvin in the 33rd over and Dumfries 110 all out.

    Jamie Cook took 3-36 and another 3 catches to his name for the season.

    Another disappointing defeat for Dumfries taking them down the table while Kelburne tossed a lifebelt and pulled themselves up the table slightly from 9th place.
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    Prestwick Cricket Club v Clydesdale Cricket Club

    Prestwick batted first against the league leaders and quickly found themselves in trouble after 4 overs and 7-2. Tiann Kuhn (0) was bowled by Isaac Rahman in the 2nd over and Ross Kennedy was also bowled by Rahman in the 4th over. Declan Botes (11) was bowled by Mo Ghaffar in the 11th and when Fletcher Rao (5) was stumped by Fischer-Keogh off Sahir Hussain in the 15th over followed by Euan McBeth (1) out caught by Fischer-Keogh in the 17th, Prestwick were 48-5 and it was an innings so far of appalling familiarity of recent weeks – brittle and so out of character for Prestwick Cricket Club.

    Tom Fleet (9) and Sachin Chaudhary (40) had a stand that got them to 82, but when both of them also fell to the bowling of Hussain, Prestwick were 93-7. When Callan Turner (0) was bowled by Hussain and Prestwick now 93-8, any additional runs scored were going to be a bonus. Gurupreet Singh (4) was 9th down at 94 caught by Murtaza off Rafay Khan and the Prestwick innings finally closed on 97 all out after 32 overs when Dylan Thayne (2) was bowled by Ravikiran Alavala.

    The pick of the Clydesdale bowling was Rahman with 2-15 and Hussain 5-31, and although there was a lengthy rain interruption during the innings, Clydesdale’s bowling looked from the outset that it would account for Prestwick quite cheaply.

    Although Clydesdale’s reply saw Ali Khan (0) caught by Fleet off Kuhn in the 1st over and Lucas Fischer-Keogh (10) also caught Fleet, bowled Kuhn in the 7th over and Clydesdale 16-2, the depth of the batting of the Titwood men was always going to see them through. Hafiz Murtaza (29) was caught by McBeth of Sachin Chaudhary’s bowling in the 15th over and Clydesdale 62-3 but that was the last wicket to fall at the Henry Thow Oval today. Craig Young 24 no) and Sizwe Masondo (19) saw the visitors home in the 25th over and another 25 points secured to add to their 100% status.

    Tiann Kuhn took 2-8 off his 6 overs bowled but it was another disappointing day for Prestwick as they fall to 9th in the table with 8 weeks to play.
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    Joel Garner is coming to the Tryst.

    The Number 1 ranked ODI fast bowler EVER will deliver a talk and answer your questions in the Clubhouse. There will be a photo opportunity and time to chat with the great man at the bar after the event.

    There will be a complimentary Rum Punch as you arrive and a Caribbean Buffet served mid way. The cost of this once in a lifetime event is £40.00.

    LOC Hire Stenhousemuir Cricket Club members will get first dibs on tickets – but only until 17th July when they will be available to the general public. Contact Tom Dickson tom@tdickson.co.uk for tickets — your email should have the subject Joel Garner Ticket.

    This event is sponsored by Stelar Travel in conjunction with the Barbados Tourist Board.

  • Week 6 – WDCU Premiership – Saturday 7th June 2025 (11th June 2025)
    At Bothwell, Stenhousemuir won the toss, and surprisingly, asked Uddingston to bat first. A bold captaincy decision by Nicky Rodgers given that Yaseen Valli is seeing the ball the size of a football so far this season with 393 runs from 4 league innings with an average of 98.25%. But Nicky Rodgers is an astute captain – his role of ringmaster marshalling the Stenhousemuir troops has been successful in the league to date, and his decision to bowl first quickly appeared to be justified.
    The evergreen Nick Lister opened the bowling with young Husnain Atif, who prior to today’s match, had only bowled 15 league overs this season with 3 scalps to his name. Bowling up the hill, Atif struck in his first over when Areeb Umeed (3) was caught behind by Valli. In the 5th over, Mo Awais (4) was caught behind by Valli (good catch by the way) off Lister’s bowling and the following over saw Uddingston’s Mr. Reliable with the bat, Amaan Ramzan (0) caught behind by Valli off Atif’s bowling. In the 8th over, Bryan Clarke (0) popped up a simple catch to Peter Hamilton at mid-on and Uddingston were now 11-4 and young Atif had taken 3-2 from 4 overs.
    For the second week in a row, Uddingston played their pirate card with another swashbuckling innings from Adbul Sabri (54). In a partnership of 79 with Zaighum Ahmad, he sworded the Stenhousemuir bowling in an almost disparaging manner – his 39 ball innings featured seven 4s and three 6s and got the faltering Uddingston total up to 90-4 in the 24th over when the Uddingston fortunes changed again with Calum Grant proving to be a vital component of the Stenny bowling armoury. Nicky Rodgers had brought him on in the 14th over to halt the batting assault that was taking place – Calum’s 10 over spell of left-arm spin saw 4 maidens and 3 wickets fall for 11 runs. He accounted for Sabri caught out in the deep, then bowled Ben Wilmott (0) four balls later to leave Uddy on 90-6. When he had the ever-dangerous with the bat, Ross Lyons (4), caught behind by Valli, Uddy were now 100-7 after 33 overs.
    The intermittent showers of the afternoon had seen a stop/start impact on the proceedings and the Uddingston innings eventually concluded after 38 overs bowled with them 142-9. Zaighum Ahmad was undefeated with 66 not out and had slaughtered a number of vital boundaries in the final few overs of a rain-affected innings to bring up his 50 but also get Uddingston to a total that would be DLS impacted but defendable if their bowlers did their job.
    The Stenny bowling was Atif 3-21, Grant 3-11 and Smith 2-11.
    The revised DLS total for Stenhousemuir was set at 115 off 27 overs – certainly doable but requiring the initial batting to build platforms, but also a challenge to the Uddingston bowling to be line and length, up to the bat and nothing errant or wayward.
    Unfortunately for Uddingston, Stenhousemuir got off to a good start and were 43-0 after 6 overs when big Clarkey decided to change the bowling and introduce the spin twins of Mo Awais and Ross Lyons. Mo Awais had Yasin Valli (24) caught by Nathan Umeed in his 3rd over and then had Peter Hamilton (46) LBW in his 5th over and Stenny were 76-2 after 15. But Uddingston had no futher luck with the ball thereafter.
    Stenhousemuir got to their target total of 115 in the 24th over without loss with Asad Izaz 16 not out and Zander Smith 18 not out. Mo Awais’s bowling figures were 2-23 off 6 and Ross Lyons had 0-16 off his 6 over spell.
    Another frustrating day at the office for big Clarkey and another week ahead of him rallying the villagers into battle – different departments and different aspects are slowly clicking into place and one week they will all come together and somebody is going to get a doing with the bat and ball – big Clarkey and Uddingston just need it to happen now.
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    An interesting confrontation lay ahead at New Cambusdoon with the unavailability of Ayr’s key batting in the likes of Michael English and Neil Flack and perhaps the weather conditions forcing Ayr to implement a new dynamic to their tried and tested Saturday league cricket game-plan – win the toss and stick Kelburne in to bat first.
    For Kelburne, they could take comfort from their performance of last week and have confidence in their batting posting a score that their bowling could defend even without the services of Ross McLean and Jamie Cook at their disposal.
    However, Mohammad Kamran (0) was trapped LBW in the 2nd over by David Bains Jnr. In the 3rd, Calum McLean (08) gifted a catch up to Ollie Jones in the covers off Woodhouse. In the 10th over, Ryan Murray (9) was caught by Richie Borland for Jones to take his 1st wicket of the innings. In the 15th over, Kyle Northend flat-batted swiped square of the wicket a loose delivery from Hamza Tahir and the batsmen set off on a quick single – Alexander Gilmour (15) was two yards short when he was run-out and Kelburne were now 57-4. At the end of the 18th over, Kyle Northend (22) went back and across to a shooter from Jones and was LBW to a ball that was probably going under the stumps.
    In the 21st over, the Kelburne innings began to derail itself when Tahir bowled Zain Mohammad (0) and then two balls later had Rahim Roghani (0) LBW. Lucas Farndale (20) then moored a delivery from David Baines straight down the throat of Woodhouse lurking out at deep mid-wicket. Kelburne were now 83-8 in the 26th over. A spirited partnership by Pashtoon Mohiagha and Gurveer Singh scored 58 vital runs to the Kelburne score. When Singh (12) was bowled in the 38th over by Matthew Baines, the Kelburne total was now 141-9. The Kelburne innings came to a close two overs later when Blair Cameron (1) was caught behind by Miller off Matthew Baines to leave the final Kelburne total as 149 all out. Hats off to the batting of Pashtoon Mohiagha who was 49 not out at the end. His innings hadn’t dug Kelburne out of a hole, it was more like a JCB excavating them out of an ever-deepening crater that they had fallen into. He deserved a 50 to his name for his efforts batting at No. 10 and hopefully he’ll get one soon and also further up the order. On the Ayr bowling front, Jones 2-50, Tahir 2-18 and M Baines 2-8.
    Ayr needed Jones, Jake and the M&Ms (great name for a boy band tribute act as a fund-raiser one night at Cambusdoon) to step up and perform – Ollie Jones, Jake Woodhouse, Marcel Marconi, Michael Miller and Michael Maxwell normally form the top order of the Ayr batting after the openers, but today, in the absence of that blunt instrument strikeforce of English and Flack, the fortunes of Ayr’s reply rested upon their shoulders. Chasing a revised DLS total of 150, they had to prove that there is more to Ayr’s batting than people think.
    Kelburne’s defence of their total got off to a good start when Richie Borland (1) was caught by Gilmour off Mohiagha in the 2nd over. And his dismissal obviously triggered a T20 mindset into the Ayr batting – score as much as you can and get 20 overs completed to force a completed result viz DLS computations.
    Jones (39) was caught by Singh off Farndale’s bowling in the 17th over and the total was now 88-2 with a bizarre mix of meteorological conditions of rain falling and sunshine. In the 20th over, Marconi (54) played a slash drive off Singh and was caught at mid-off by Farndale to leave Ayr 98-3. In the 24th over, Michael Maxwell glided one off Singh down to 3rd man and set off for a single, was sent back, slipped on the turn and was on his knees halfway down the wicket when the bails were whipped off to run him out and Ayr were now 105-4. It was reminiscent of the Willem Dafoe scene in the 1986 film Platoon. Never a great way to be out and I could relate to his annoyance – at least he didn’t do what I did – slipped, went arse-over-tit, broke my shoulder, dislocated my elbow and broke my thumb thus ending my cricket career – always wear studs.
    In the 26th over, Michael Miller (2) left a delivery off Singh that seemed to jag back and take his leg stump and Ayr were now 112-5. You could sense a bit of nervousness creep into the game and when Lloyd Jefferson (4) was bowled by Farndale in the 29th over, Ayr were now 121-6. First ball of the 34th over from Zain Mohammad and Woodhouse (20) slapped it into the mitts of Farndale at mid-off. Two balls later and Hamza Tahir repeated matters and Ayr had suddenly become 139-8 with 11 runs to get. Matthew Baines (4 not out) and a Jonathan Baines swat for 4 (12 not out) saw Ayr home to victory in the 36th over (150-8).
    A team performance by Ayr to get a needed result and hard lines to Kelburne with a spirited performance – they were a bowler light today and that probably was the unfortunate circumstance that counted against them.
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    Today was the much anticipated clash between these two rivals but it was also the ‘Spirit of Cricket’ trophy match in memory of Sandy Strang and Con de Lange with a number of fund-raising events with proceeds being shared between the Brain Tumour and Marie Curie charities.
    Unfortunately the inclement weather prevented any play but your donations to these charitable causes are welcome.
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    Dumfries v GHK
    At Nunholm, GHK won the toss and asked Dumfries to bat first. Dumfries were 12-0 after 4 overs when the umpires halted play due to the falling rain. It never stopped and the match was eventually abandoned.
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    Drumps opted to bat first after winning the toss and began brightly. Gordon Shaw (10) was the first wicket to fall when the total was 25 in the 9th over. To be fair to Shawsy, he looks to have been bowled by a very useful delivery from Kuhn that did a bit off the pitch. At the beginning of the 10th, Adnan Bukhari (1) was caught by Thayne off Ronan Alexander’s bowling. In the 11th, Jordan Pryde (11) was cleaned bowled by Kuhn and now 26-3, there was the fear that Drumpellier could lose a few more in the coming overs.
    But not for the first time, Chathuranga Kumara and Supeshala Jayathilake grafted a partnership together that would be crucial come the end of the game. Both batters dug in and for the next 15 overs nudged and nurdled 1s and 2s about in a partnership of 43. When Kumara was dismissed LBW to the bowling of Sachin Chaudhary at the end of the 26th over, Drumps were now 69-4 and a lot healthier than they had been nearly an hour earlier. Only 30 more runs were procured in the following 7 overs as Drumpellier finished up 99-7 off 33 overs. Supeshala Jayathilake ended up 34 not out after playing an outrageous shot at the end of the innings – dancing down the wicket to the bowling of Declan Botes, one would be forgiven if you could hear the Glenn Miller classic ‘In the Mood’ playing in the background as a monstrous cleave sent the poor wee pink baw over midwicket for 6.
    An innings affected by rain stoppages, over reductions and wet conditions, the pick of Prestwick’s bowling was Tiann Kuhn 2-20, Sachin Chaudhary 2-14 and Declan Botes 2-17.
    Prestwick were set a DLS target of 109 off 33 overs but got off to a difficult start. Indy Singh (0) was LBW to Bukhari at the start of the 2nd over. Gurupreet Singh (2) was caught by Jayathilake off Bukhari at the start of the 4th over while Declan Botes (7) scratched around before falling LBW to Kumara at the end of the 11th over. Prestwick were 21-3 and in need of composure and sensible batting, however, a further wicket fell in the 15th over when Sachin Chaudhary was LBW to Darren Pryde and the total was 33-4. Tom Fleet and Ewen McBeth had a stabilising 50 run partnership until Fleet (11) was LBW to the bowling of Mohsin Khan and the total was now 73-5. 10 runs were added to the total before a seven ball period beginning in the 26th over effectively killed the Prestwick reply – Kuhn (6) was run out at the non-strikers end backing up by a sharp piece of fielding by Josh Allison. The 27th over saw 3 more Prestwick wickets fall in the space of 4 balls to the bowling of Khan. McBeth (34) was caught and bowled with Fletcher Rao (0) LBW the very next ball, and two balls later, Ronan Alexander (0) also fell LBW. Dylan Thayne (2) spooned a soft catch up to Darren Pryde at mid-off as Jayathilake had the final say in the innings, just as he had in the 1st.
    Prestwick were 87 all out in the 28th over with Bukhari 2-17 and Khan 4-27 the pick of the Drumpellier bowlers.
    As I have reminded folks since the start of the season, Drumpellier are an obdurate, defiant and committed opposition that will fight to the very end – they proved that today. But I cannot put my finger on what is wrong with Prestwick this season. A top 5 finish in the last three seasons and now down at the foot of the table after 6 weeks? Are Messrs Pitt, McDonald and others needed to be cajoled into playing a couple of games in the coming weeks? I don’t know the answer but Prestwick need to find it soon or July and August could be difficult months for them.
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    Please Read – Important news to consider
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    A final and worrying piece of information for the cricket of the west to consider – we lost a treasured and much-loved club in Poloc in 2023 and the demise of that club still hurts two years on. In 2025, a smaller, but just as important club within our cricketing circle needs the support of its fellow clubs, the cricketers, the members, the enthusiasts and anyone else involved with the game or has a passing interest in sport – Vale of Leven Cricket Club.
    The Vale enters 175th anniversary year next year and is historically one of the founder clubs of our cricket after being established in 1852 through its connections to the India Dye works in Renton as a recreational outlet for the workforce. Over those 175 years some 5000+ people have taken the field under the banner of this great club, and they hold the unique distinction of being a cricket club that won the Scottish Cup at football (a competition they helped create) and after Queen’s Park, Rangers, Celtic and Aberdeen, the only other club to win it three-in-a-row. In recent times, they been involved in a project to create a new and exciting “Community Sports Hub” at Milburn Park, an amalgam of football and cricket with new facilities, a new clubhouse with bar and top class changing facilities.
    But it has gone awry – the dynamics of the original concept have changed with a 4g artificial surface being proposed to be put on top of the pitch and the cricket have now been confronted with the following: Find a new home or give up , “there are only 20 of you guys anyway…”
    Those 20 will not give in and will try their best for the 5000+ members before them who loved their club dearly. Those 5000+ cannot be simply forgotten and sent to the annals of Scottish sporting history, and there must be a way for our cricket to be a voice for them, to help them fight this, oppose planning, go to the press, engage with those in power, whatever and whenever and support them at every crossroads, junction, hinderance and obstruction to save this club, especially as their sesquicentennial approaches.
    We are a union of clubs and together we are our cricket – we must support it, irrespective of who or what – it is ours.
    Siggy
  • Umpiring Availability (3rd June 2025)

    All WDCU Clubs,

    We are writing to inform you about a now critical issue currently affecting our cricket community within the Western District Cricket Union (WDCU) and across all regions. There is a significant shortage of umpires, which is impacting not only WDCU but all regions. This has had a significant impact in WDCU Prem 2 so far this season already. As a result, CSMOA are doing their upmost to manage with limited resources and therefore appreciate your understanding where umpires cannot be appointed. Only 30 umpires were available on the weekend of 31st May, with 20 plus fixtures requiring umpires across the country…

    CSMOA are, as ever actively seeking new umpires and would encourage any umpires who wish to return to reach out. Courses and resources are available for those wishing to take up umpiring and we as a region are keen to point out that one solution being discussed for the future may be to revert to a former rule which meant clubs who required umpires were obliged to have club members who were active umpires.

    However, it is important to highlight that one of the contributing factors to this shortage is player behaviour. Instances of disrespect and unsportsmanlike conduct towards umpires have led to many experienced officials stepping down from their roles. This is a serious concern that needs immediate attention from all clubs. We appreciate the competitive nature of the sport (especially in the West) and by no means wish to discourage this enthusiasm, but we must respect the game and those willing to give their personal time to make it possible. It is not acceptable to behave negatively towards an umpire and as a region any reports of poor player behaviour towards an umpire will not be tolerated.

    We urge all clubs to take proactive measures to ensure that players exhibit respectful and sportsmanlike behaviour towards umpires at all times. Everyone plays to win but when behaviours being demonstrated are causing umpires to step down this is to the detriment of the game and cannot be tolerated.

    Your cooperation and support in addressing this issue are crucial for the future of our cricket, ultimately, we are all here to enjoy and promote the game and our clubs.

    Please disseminate this message to all players and members within your club and emphasise the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful environment on the field.

    Anyone who is interested in returning to umpiring or wishes to take up umpiring please contact us on admin@wdcu.co.uk

    Thank you for your attention to this matter.

    Best regards,

    WDCU Exec Committee.

  • WDCU Premiership – Week 3 – Saturday 17th May 2025 (19th May 2025)

    Review from the badger’s sett…

    Stenhousemuir v Prestwick

    Prestwick made the trip to the Tryst in the knowledge that the winning of today’s toss would be crucial in determining the final outcome of the match. The Tryst is a largish ground, and on a warm and sunny day, an afternoon in the field first can be a bit of an agonising chore. With that in mind, Prestwick won the toss and elected to bat first.

    Prestwick began their innings brightly and had put 50 on the board before Ross Kennedy (18) fell to the bowling of big Nick Lister in the 10th over. At the beginning of the 11th over, the other Prestwick opener, Indy Singh (28) was smartly caught by Yaseen Valli off young Husnain Atif. In the 12th over, last week’s centurion Sachin Chaudhary (1) was LBW to Lister and at the end of the 13th, Prestwick were 60-4 with Declan Botes another batter sunk by the ‘caught Yaseen Valli, bowled Husnain Atif’ combination.  Tom Fleet (29) and Ewen McBeth (12) dug in for a partnership of 30, but the rotational bowling of the Stenhousemuir spin troika of Zander Smith (1-23), Callum Grant (3-19) and Manas Sahare (2-26) unravelled the Prestwick batting and they were finally all out for 144 in 36.4 overs.

    Defending 144 against an in-form Stenhousemuir and the batsmanship of back-to-back league century maker Yaseen Valli was going to have to have Prestwick’s bowling to be at its very best. Although Valli came and went for 34, the contributions to the total by the other batters and a cameo 37no from Amir Shahzad got Stenny over the line 5 down in the 33rd over.

    Not a good day at the office for Prestwick while Stenhousemuir go 3 wins from 3.

    Kelburne v Drumpellier

    Today’s clash was always going to be a tough result for the loser and leave them slightly afoot at the bottom of the table. Both clubs would be fairly justified in stating that at least one of their league losses to date was unfortunate, but the vanquished today would be encountering difficulties in the coming weeks to go and get that much needed first win under their belts.

    I found this game to be a strange affair – maybe nervousness on the parts of both teams – but in both innings, just as you thought the game was about to get going again, a wicket would fall and what should have been a high-scoring encounter between two decently matched sides failed to materialise.

    Drumpellier won the toss and batted first, but wickets kept on falling in dribs and drabs and the Langloaners were eventually 141ao in the 42nd over. Supeshala Jayathilake was top-scorer with 34 and the under-rated Chris Keltie scored 31. Kelburne’s bowling had Pashtoon Mohiaga taking 3-22, Zain Mohammad taking 2-20 and Jamie Cook’s inviters getting 4-36.

    I honestly thought at half-time that Kelburne had this game in the bag but began to reconsider that when Kelburne were 13-3 after 6 overs. Kyle Northend (39) and Lucas Farndale (29) got the total up to 71-4 off 14 overs. Although Alexander Gilmour was dismissed in the 16th taking the total to 78-5, a sensibly played partnership between Farndale and Jamie Cook (24) took Kelburne to 116-5 in the 21st over. Then the wheels came off the Kelburne innings. A wahoo at a Josh Allison delivery by Jamie Cook led to a leading edge skier taken by the Drumpellier keeper, Will Leslie – Kelburne 116-6. The following over, Farndale had a swish at a ball outside off-stump from Chathuranga Kumara and there were great celebrations in the land of Drumps for another caught behind by Leslie. Farndale stood his ground, did a bit of gardening and was somewhat disappointed to be given out after an 11 second delay – you could hear some interesting ‘conversations’ as Farndale left the crease, none by players I hasten to add, and I’m sure there will be varying ‘opinions’ to be heard about it all in the coming days.

    Suddenly Kelburne were 118-7 off 22 chasing 141. Kumara took 2 more wickets in the 24th over to leave Kelburne 123-9. This had become a tense and tight contest but all Ross MacLean and Pashtoon Mohiaga had to do was occupy the crease and see overs out – the needed runs would come in wides, no-balls, byes and extras if they just batted sensibly and took no chances. They got the total to 135-9 in the 28th over, and for the life of me, I am non-plussed at the following when you only need 6 runs to win from 22 overs – Mohiaga wipes Kumara to mid-on and calls MacLean for a single – mid-on picks the ball up and throws down the stumps at the non-strikers end to run Mohiaga out – he (Mohiaga) seems to give up running 3 yards short and makes no effort to run his bat in. The forlorn figure of Ross MacLean at the strikers end as Drumpellier players quite rightly run around in celebration of victory is a saddening site – we’ve all been there in our own cricket careers, on both sides of the fence, but as a neutral observer, I felt for Ross today.

    On the bowling front for Drumpellier, Mohsin Khan took 2-32 and Chathuranga Kumara finished with 5-37.

    An important win for Drumpellier and also resembling their doggedness and determination of the 2024 campaign that got them a fifth place. But for Kelburne, another Saturday disappointment.

    Ayr v Uddingston

    An interesting fixture lay ahead between these old rivals. Ayr had had a close win in the first week against Drumpellier and then the emotion of a tensely tied match against GHK last Saturday. For Uddingston, they had encountered the capabilities of GHK in the first league game and then faced Ferguslie the following week. Differing final results for both teams so far but a day’s cricket under the sun at New Cambusdoon was always going to provide a welcome win for the victor.

    Uddingston electing to bat first would have appealed to them, and a decent start would set the tone for the innings. Even accounting for the early loss of Muhammad Awais when the total was 12, the partnership of Keerat Singh (39) and Amaan Ramzan (13) is more than capable of posting a platform for the rest of the team to bat from. When Ramzan departed when the total was 62 in the 17th over, the Uddingston batting seemed to struggle with the slower bowling variations of a combination of Neil Flack (2-29), Hamza Tahir (4-24) and Ollie Jones (3-20) and eventually petered out for 129 in the 36th over.

    For Ayr, the frighteningly intimidating opening batting partnership of Michael English (58no) and Neil Flack (61) got their summer roadshow up and running for 2025. Although Flack got out when the total was 128 and Ollie Jones then stroking a 4 to win the match, Neil Flack will be glad he’s back in the game as they say. He’s looked somewhat discombobulated so far this season and hopefully today’s knock, and bowling performance, will have blown the winter blues away and he’ll resume his mantle as part of the Ayr dangerman role he has filled so well in recent seasons.

    Not the result big Clarkey would have been wanting, but he’ll gather the Villagers around again and try to get them onto winning ways in the coming weeks. Uddingston are never a side to underestimate.

    Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal – Comedy Night – Friday 25th July 2025 – Hamilton Crescent

    In July, West of Scotland Cricket Club will be hosting the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal who are running a comedy night to raise funds. With Mark Nelson headlining the evening, it won’t be one to miss!

    The Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal is a charity funded by Scotland fans, the aim of which is to make a donation to identified children’s charities in every country in which the Scottish National Football Team plays matches. Since 2003, this has been achieved – uninterrupted.

    Tickets can be purchased for this comedy night online: https://tartan-army-sunshine-appeal.square.site/…/38…

    As many of you know, the Hamilton Crescent cricket ground is part of footballing history – it is the origin site for international football and the birthplace of the Tartan Army. It’s great to have TASA at the ground and continuing the symbiotic relationships between cricket and football and all for a worthwhile cause.

    It is our history, an undeniable fact of what cricket in the west has been involved in and must continue to support.

    Dumfries v Ferguslie

    The return of Dumfries back into the Premier Division for 2025 saw the Nunholm pitch and facilities back at the level they deserve to be at, and with Ferguslie as the visitors, today’s game had two batting line-ups with the potential to make full use of what the strip had to offer.

    And Ferguslie, after winning the toss, decided they would give the Nunholm deck first dibs. Stafford (14) was the first wicket to fall at 28, and Muhammad Mayet was joined at the crease by Gregor Preston-Jones. When Preston-Jones (5) was dismissed in the 11th over, the total was 71 and Mayet at the other end was 40no.

    Muhammad Mayet (69) was caught and bowled by Chris Brockwell in the 19th over and the total was 110. And this was the moment the first innings began to slide away from the Dumfries bowlers. Uzair Ahmad (103no) and Taimoor Ahmad (54) put on a 115 run partnership in 16 overs with quickly run ones and twos interspersed with flurries of fours and sixes. The run-per-over ratio of 7.18 is a good effort, but when you factor in today’s warm and sunny weather and only 56 of those runs coming from boundaries, the stamina and fitness of the Ahmads in those conditions is to be applauded. (Oh to be young again). When Taimoor was bowled for 54 in the 35th over, Uzair was 54no. Ferguslie were 225-4 with 15 overs to go. Any thoughts of a respite for Dumfries were quickly dispelled, and although 4 more wickets fell, the innings closed on 341-8. These final overs had gone at a run-per-over ratio of 7.73 with Saif Sajjad (18), Ettiene Jewell (14) and Haroon Tahir (20) rotating the strike with Uzair. When Uzair Ahmad faced the 2nd ball of the last over from Munro Cubbon, he was 90no and had been batting for nearly 40 overs. There was clear intent that he was getting a century today as he dispatched this very same ball over midwicket for 4. The next ball was also sent over midwicket, only this time for 6 and his ton was achieved, ending up 103 not out – a fantastic innings.

    A long day in the field for the Dumfries bowlers with Chris Brockwell bowling well in his 10 overs and taking 2-37 while Ben Plowman plugged away and took 3-47.

    The Dumfries reply was always going to be a daunting one with a run-rate required of nearly 7 an over. The innings started badly with the loss of early wickets and Dumfries found themselves 27-3 after 8 overs. An 86 run partnership between Adam Malik (51) and Andrew Dawson (66no) got Dumfries to 113-4 after 25 overs when Malik got out having scored yet another well-crafted 50 to his name. But scoring 228 off the remaining 25 overs at a rising run-rate of 9.00 an over was always going to be a tall order after an afternoon fielding. Wickets came and went and Dumfries were eventually 200ao in the 44th over with Dawson undefeated on 66.

    The pick of the Ferguslie bowling was Haroon Tahir taking 3-35 and man-of-the-match Uzair Ahmad taking 2-17.

    A good game of cricket played in glorious weather and on a pitch that deservedly gets many plaudits in the cricket world.

    Clydesdale v GHK

    Week 3 of the season and the current Glasgow club derby had its third competitive outing in as many weeks. The ‘Dale went into the match 2-0 up but those recent victories over the David Copperfield green and purple magic act in the McCulloch Cup and Scottish Cup would be counting for nothing – today was league cricket with the end-of-day result providing fill-in background pieces of the jigsaw that forms the WDCU Premier Division puzzle for 2025. Every run is a prisoner and every ball bowled is vital.

    GHK won the toss and chose to bat first but when Fazal Jawad (11) was LBW to Rahman at 30, a further 6 wickets fell for only 23 runs. Contributions by Ali Majeed (28) and Muhammad Majeed (24) helped get the final GHK total to 79ao in 16.4 overs but with crease occupation a necessity lost and only three batters scoring double figures, 79 was never going to be enough. Clydesdale used four bowlers with Muhammad Ghaffar (2-24) and Isaac Rahman (4-35) providing the early damage to the GHK batting. Zeeshan Bashir (3-15) and Rafay Khan (1-2) were the other bowlers used.

    In reply, Clydesdale quickly passed the GHK total for 80 without loss in 16 overs with Ali Khan 40no and Sheryar Awan 37no. GHK’s luck/magic of the previous two Saturdays deserted them today and my only observational advice to them would be crease composure and a bit more nous of building platforms and partnerships to post totals when batting first. I was never a batter myself but played in sides full of them and always understood the value of small contributions go a long way to post a score that is defendable, especially in a team sport like cricket.

    Plaudits to both sides though with only a solitary no-ball and 2 wides between them – thank you.

    There are no bad teams in the WDCU Premiership and all are capable of beating each other and convincingly to boot if required – but there is luck, what ifs and belief. And belief is the major component to have – believe that you will win, do well, bat, bowl, catch it, run him out, chase down the total or defend the low score – cricket is a team game where your fortunes are determined by those you play with and how you play with them. Some team-mates are good, some team-mates are bad, some are selfish, some are show-offs, some try their hardest and others are just simply ordinary enthusiasts. But collectively, it is a combined resolve to achieve something together that is not only rewarding, but beneficial to all involved, and that is by having belief.

    Siggy

    PS – while the cricket was going on today, I spent some time at Hampden Bowling Club in Kingsley Gardens on the southside and was in the company of the oldest football trophy in the world, the Scottish Football Challenge Cup (Scottish Cup).

    The Scottish Cup competition was created in 1873 when seven Glasgow area cricket clubs met with Queen’s Park Football Club to found the Scottish Football Association and a governing body under one set of rules and a cup competition for the member clubs.

    13 Glasgow area cricket clubs played in the original tournament of 16 teams with Clydesdale losing 2-0 to Queens Park in the final. The final was played at the First Hampden Park, the site of the bowling green that I am standing upon, and the pavilion behind me was originally the Caledonian Cricket Club that stood at Kelvinbridge.

    Our cricket – your cricket – has an awful lot to be proud of and a history that we must protect, preserve and promote.

    On a final note, only 5 clubs have won that Scottish Cup three-in-a-row – Queen’s Park, Rangers, Celtic, Aberdeen and a Western District Cricket Union club in Vale of Leven. The Vale are 175 next year, let’s make sure they get there as well, because they are part of our cricketing history, a history that we must never forget.

  • Scott Weir – Kilmarnock CC (19th May 2025)

    It’s with huge sadness that Kilmarnock CC share news of the tragic death of lifelong friend and team mate Scott Weir. Our thoughts go out to Scott’s family and friends and all at Kilmarnock.