The WDCU XI was hit by three late call offs on game day morning which resulted in three replacements being called in at short notice. Nkosana Mpofu, Moneeb Iqbal and Fazal Jawad all missed out due to injuries sustained in Scottish cup ties. Haroon Tahir (Ferguslie), Fergus Clarke (Uddingston) and Muhaymen Majeed (Renfrew) all came into the team at very short notice to face the strong touring Emus side from Australia for their first game. The touring team consisted of players aged up to 24 with a number having played Grade cricket and were accompanied by Pete Clifford the former Greenock professional and a group of enthusiastic supporters.

On a glorious sunny, warm summers day in June, yes we are talking about Scotland, at Meikleriggs WDCU XI captain Aamir Gul won the toss and elected to bowl on a green wicket in a 50 over a side game with ODI rules and pink balls.

The opening bowlers for the WDCU team, Umair Khan and Gavin Smith, utilised the conditions well and made early in-roads with the Emus rocking at 33 for 4 after 9 overs, with Khan and Smith taking two wickets apiece including a caught and bowled for both. As is the Australian way the Emus fought back with James Psarakis and Alec Baldwin taking the total to 102 before a sharp piece of fielding by Haroon Tahir resulted in Psarakis being run out. This brought Ben McMahon to the crease who shared a stand of 42 with Baldwin before he was caught by Lucas Farndale at slip of the bowling of skipper Gul. The Emu’s total had reached 144 for six with overs in hand and there was still a chance to add substantially to the total as the dangerous Baldwin was still at the crease. Unfortunately for the Emus this did not materialise as they only added a further 18 runs after the reintroduction of Khan into the attack finishing on 162 all out in 37 over. Baldwin was stranded on 52 not out of 86 ball including seven boundaries. Umair Khan was leading wicket taker for the WDCU XI with figures of seven overs, three maidens, 4 for 16 , closely followed by Aamir Gul whose figures were, six overs, 3 for 20, and Gavin Smith was the only other bowler to pick up wickets ending with five overs, one maiden, 2 for 23. The WDCU team fielded well restricting the singles but took the foot of the gas in the middle of the innings where the Emus batters took advantage of some loose bowling.

WDCU openers Imran Mughal and Muhaymen Majeed were given the task of getting their team of to a decent start, Mughal was hitting his shots well but perished LBW to Dan Cranitch who was bowling at a pace not often experienced by WDCU batters. Mughal departed for a run-a-ball 27. The WDCU batters were struggling in the face of some tight bowling from the Emus’ bowlers, and there was a lack of intent in taking singles and the strike rotation was just not there with the batters getting bogged down. The WDCU team limped along losing wickets until the arrival to the crease of Lucas Farndale and Chris Brockwell brought a bit of urgency to the game and increase in the run rate. Just when it looked like the WDCU team was back in with a shout Brockwell holed out with the score on 102 but at 6 down and 18.5 overs still remaining there was still hope. Unfortunately that did not last long, when Tom Lord, the seventh wicket, fell on 110, only 1 further run was added for the last three wickets. The WDCU XI team all out 111 in 34.4 overs, top scorer was Mughal on 27 closely followed by Farndale who scored 24.

A disappointing batting performance.

Spinner Scott Brennan was the pick of the Emus’ bowlers with figures of six overs, two maidens, 4 for 14, with seamers Dan Cranitch, Angus MacNeil and Ben McMahon all picking up two wickets apiece.

Man of the match went to Alec Baldwin for his 52 not out and Umair Khan was man of the match for the WDCU XI team for his bowling efforts of 4 for 16 and he was presented with an Emus tie from the Emus management team. Pete Clifford also presented Ferguslie Vice President Iain Glassford with a plaque to thank Ferguslie for hosting the game and their excellent hospitality. Finally a big thanks to the players of both teams and the individuals who played a part in the organisation of the game.

Sai Majeed, WDCU

Pictures courtesy of Bill Wilson

I’m still hoping the rain goes off!! This week can I remind all clubs that the umpires should be paid promptly please. I have had reports of umpires having to ask for their fees. This is not  acceptable. Please remember that each team has the responsibility to pay one umpire. Teams that repeatedly fail to do this will face a sanction.

The information on player umpiring and fair play is building up. As you would expect some teams are not doing so well and close scrutiny is now being carried out on reports in so far. In all self umpired games please umpire fairly as that is in the ‘spirit of the game.’ Captains are reminded that they are responsible for their own behaviour and that of their team and they will be held responsible for it. Keep the fair play scores coming in as they are rich with information!

A wee reminder from last week is the requirement to provide opposition teams with an accurate printed team sheet on game days. This has not been fully achieved to date so clubs are reminded of this requirement. All photographs should be clear so there is no ambiguity regarding any player. If you have any player photographs that are not clear they should be updated on PlayerReg. Finally on this point clubs are asked to make sure that the names in scorebooks match those on your teamsheet. This is important for the integrity of the league.

To finish off good luck to all the WDCU teams taking part in the national cup competitions this weekend.

Iain Kennedy, WDCU Administrator

A WDCU Select XI has been picked to play against a touring side from Australia. The young touring side has former Greenock professional Peter Clifford as guide and mentor. The game at Meikleriggs in Paisley is one of a number of games planned over the next fortnight and we hope a number of spectators will come along to take in the action. Congratulations to those selected and here is the team:

Aamir Gul, Tunnock’s Uddingston, Captain
Moneeb Iqbal, East Kilbride
Imran Mughal, East Kilbride
Umair Khan, East Kilbride
Lucas Farndale, McCrea FS West of Scotland
Gavin Smith, McCrea FS West of Scotland
Tom Lord, Prestwick
Fraser McDonald, Prestwick
Fazal Jawad, Prestwick
Israr Hussain, Renfrew
Nkosana Mpofu, Ferguslie
Chris Brockwell, ETGB St. Michael’s

Given that there was very little cricket played last weekend here is a reminder of last weeks main update. Please remember that all short summaries, full scorecards, captains reports for all Saturday games and fairplay reports now need to be completed accurately and on time. Failure to do so will mean that sanctions will be applied. This is the last reminder….

I have posted a first quarter update of the fair play scores in the link below. Please remember that these are scores that your club has given to and received from other clubs on Saturday league games. There hasn’t been too many games and some scores have not been entered so this is only a first indication. I will update it at the end of June as it will have taken better shape by then.

One thing I would like to remind everyone of is the requirement to provide opposition teams with an accurate printed team sheet on game days. This has not been fully achieved to date so clubs are reminded  of this requirement. All photographs should be clear so there is no ambiguity regarding any player. If you have any player photographs that are not clear they should be updated on Player reg. Finally on this point clubs are asked to make sure that the names in scorebooks match those on your Team sheet. This is important for the integrity of the league.
Last reminder for this week. Please remember if your club is  involved in player transfers as it is in season you are now required to complete and submit form TR1. Transfers requested only on Player reg will not be granted without this form having been completed beforehand.

I hope the rain goes off!!

Iain Kennedy WDCU Administrator.

WDCU Fair play Updates

Galloway CC didn’t  do the beanies fundraiser but decided to hold a “pay for the teas” fund raiser on Saturday 25th May.  Williamfield were the visitors and both teams put in donations for their delicious Galloway tea. Unfortunately the match was rained off after 39 overs but that did mean both sides were able to eat plenty!  We raised £51.47 and here are pictures of the lovely tea and the players and spectators tucking in.

Katherine Naylor

This weekend stages the final league games for the merry month of May. As it stands the following teams remain unbeaten on a Saturday:

Tunnock’s Uddingston, Prestwick, PSL Team Sports Clydesdale , McCrea FS West of Scotland, Ayr, Irvine, Croma Vigilant Dumfries, East Renfrewshire, GHK, Motherwell, Cavaliers, GHK Strathclyde, Kirkstyle and Titwood. Who will remain unbeaten for the month?

Also in April and May there has only been one player disciplinary report from Saturday league games – keep it up as that is the way it should be!!

It should also be remembered that as of this weekend penalty points will be deducted for those clubs and teams that do not complete the following accurately and in time.

• The short and long scorecards
• The captain’s report (make sure all non-umpired games are marked too.  You are required to assess your opponent’s collective team umpiring!!)
• The fair play score.

Next week’s club update will focus on the fair play scores. We will find out how your team’s behaviour and playing in the spirit of the game has been marked by your opponents in this season so far….I wonder who will be at the top and bottom of the pile!

Iain Kennedy, Administrator

On a weekend that produced several bad news stories in terms of player behaviour and teams not playing in the spirit of the game I received a ‘nice’ email form Bernie Mitchell from Hillhead. I thought I would share it with you…

WDCU DIVISION 2 – 11th MAY 2019
GAVIN GEMMELL
We are all getting on.. perhaps an obvious thought but in the context of umpiring it is one which now amazes !! Yesterday I watched Gavin umpire on his own for total of just under 70 overs at Gatehouse . Naturally he was rather “slow” between ends, BUT otherwise he gave a first class performance.

He commanded the respect of ALL the players and did not appear to put a “foot“ wrong. Amazing; and also he drove to the game from Ayr and back again on his own. All of this at the tender age of EIGHTY!!!

Gavin is deserving of an end of season award if he continues like this.

Yours sincerely,

Bernie Mitchell 

Secretary/Scorer Hillhead Cricket Club

It would be nice to post something similar next week.

Iain Kennedy, Administrator

Good weather this weekend and pretty much every game on. Everyone is now getting the short scores and extended scorecards in right on time so please keep it up. Captains are also reminded to complete their umpire reports and fair play scores.

Please note that this will be the last bedding in weekend for the new process and failure to properly complete these forms on time will attract 5 penalty points.

Please remember that in games where there are no umpires the captain should assess the umpiring of the opposing team in its entirety. captains are reminded to do this as failure to do so will attract a 5 point penalty.

Finally the fair play scores took a big dip this weekend and there were several reports made to WDCU.

I would urge all clubs to constantly remind captains and players of their responsibility to behave well and play within the Spirit of the Game.

Iain Kennedy, Administrator

A better weekend weather-wise for cricket so lots of games played. The fair play system is now working well and scores are coming in. The bad news is that one team scored a 1 so that is disappointing!! A full update will be provided at the end of the month so please constantly feed in the message that player behaviour and playing in the Spirit of the Game are important.

Captains are reminded to complete the fair play form and their captain’s reports every week. One thing to make sure happens is that the correct umpire name is included in the form. I had a couple of errors this week!!

Captains are also reminded that if you have no umpires that they should mark in a score for the overall umpiring performance of the opposition team in the captain’s report. It’s important to find out if there are any teams not umpiring fairly!!

After a few teething problems with passwords for the cricket stats website are all working and we are now pretty much at full capacity for short and long score entry. The issue with the bonus points is now sorted!

Can I remind all clubs of their responsibility to pay umpire match fees. This should be done by each team (one each) and immediately after the game at the latest. Umpires should not have to come and ask!

Iain Kennedy, Administrator

With only a few games played on Saturday (and the week before) the requirement for all clubs to submit a captain’s report and the fair play assessment of their opponents has not been fully tested. Please remember that this is now ‘compulsory for all Saturday league games with or without umpires’!!

In the fair play scores received well done to EBC Drumpellier, Glasgow Accies , Cambusdoon and Torrance House who were all rated as a top mark 5 by their opponents.

Thankfully there were no 1s or 2s and any in those categories in future weeks will be named and a monthly league table published.  There were however  a couple of 3s so plenty of room for improvement.

All clubs should ensure they complete these forms and if you have missed last weeks go back and fill it in!

Please remember that failure to complete these forms ever  week will result in a 5 point penalty.

More updates next week!