Latest news and club notices

Members and guests day success! [posted 12/06/21] 

A big thanks to everyone who organised and took part in today's members and guests day.  Blessed by glorious weather, "Shawholm" looked a picture as the Poloc versus West of Scotland Premier Division match formed the backdrop for fun and games, and food and drink, up-and-around the clubhouse, all taking place in line with current Government, and sportscotland coronavirus guidelines. 

A special thanks to organiser-in-chief, and club House Convenor, Stuart Irons, the driving force behind the day, and so much more of the good development work being carried out at the club.  

Double-defeat Saturday [posted 12/06/21] 

The 'Loc came back down to earth with a bump in today's first home league match of the 2021, COVID-19-affected, season.  After the high of Thursday evening's Rowan Cup win on the road, today's home match, in front of a large members and guests day crowd, was the other side of the coin.  An eventual 114-run defeat principally stemmed from a batting collapse after the side had bowled pretty well in restricting visitors West of Scotland to 205 for 8 batting first.  A steady start to the run-chase from Hunnain Sohail (9) and Sufian Ali (7) that saw them all-but reach 20 without loss was then undone as a flurry of wickets saw the side slip to 33 for 5, after Calum James (3), Kess Sajjad (5), and Saif Sajjad (0) followed Sohail and Ali back to the clubhouse.  Andrew Mallichan (17) and Robert Cathcart (19) then steadied the ship a little in the middle order, adding 32 for the sixth wicket, but after their partnership was broken, only skipper Imran Adrees (15*) put up much resistance as the side was bowled out for just 91 in the 30th over.  This was 114 runs shy of the total posted by West of Scotland, and resulted in a heavy loss that saw the 'Loc pick up no losing bonus points.  

West of Scotland's 205 for 8 owed much to the patience of opener Strachan, whose 52 came off 134 balls.  Around his base, the other batters played more shots.  Oliver's 39 (64), and Fennah's 29 (17) both augmented Strachan's knock, the former being another patient stay in the middle, the latter a more flambouyant one.  For the 'Loc almost all the bowlers used bowled tidiliy enough, resulting in the target of just a shade over 4-an-over.  Standout was probvably Imran Adrees with 3 for 30, whilst Ahmed-Raza Hanif again evidenced his capability at this level, returning figures of 10-0-27-1.  Hi also chipped in with another run out, as did Andrew Mallichan whose nice pick-dive-and-throw saw Miller depart.  Robert Cathcart's figures were spoiled late on with one expensive over, aside which his figures of 2 for 50 didn't perhaps otherwise reflect his overall performance with the ball.  

So a defeat in their second league outing; and as at "Nunholm" last week, some positives.  Batting the overs remains the challenge however, and with a busy period of cricket ahead the next opportunity to put that right comes soon enough.  [Scorecard]

Over at "Hamilton Crescent", Shawholm were playing their first league game of the season, and would bat first against hosts Partick.  The side all-but used their allotted overs, being bowled out in the final over for 161.  Osama Baig (26) and Hasan Malik (24*) were the two highest scorers, Hasan, batting at nine, unluckily being left stranded at the end.  Aside these two there were useful contributions from Murtaza Syed (19), Abdullah Malik (18), and Adil Munir (17), all of, however, will, likely, be frustrated they didn't score more having done the difficult bit and "got in".  However 161 wasn't terrible, and the side were at least in with a shout of defending it if they had lady luck on their side, and bowled and fielded well.  

However the Partick batters clearly were in no mood to give their Shawholm counterparts a sniff of the win, openers Corner (39) and Cole (73*) putting on a century opening partnership, and only - evntually - being separated with the score on 128, Elliot Moffat taking the wicket.  No matter how skipper Murtaza Syed rung the changes with the bowlers a second wicket just wasn't forthcoming, and Partick ran out comfortable nine-wicket winners in the 22nd over, Jakobson's 19* being the only other home side batter score requiring to be added to the 'book.  So a thumping nine-wicket loss, however as "Shawholm", there were some positives, young Hasan Malik returning from injuring and scoring 24 not out being an obvious one.  Next up for the side is next Saturday's trip to Paisley to take on Whitehaugh.  [Scorecard] 

The 'Loc progress in the Rowan Cup [posted 10/06/21] 

Poloc secured a home quarter-final tie against East Renfrewshire CC in the Rowan Cup by defeating Renfrew by 51 runs at King George V Playing Field this evening.  Batting first the side posted a challenging 136 for 6, with Calum James leading the way with a 31-ball 41 that included three 4s and a maximum.  Batting in the middle order, he came in after Mudassar Khan (17, from fifteen balls) and Saif Sajjad (30, from 26 balls) had given the innings a good start, and after Sufian Ali had departed cheaply.  Hunnain Sohail's cameo 29* (29) then added late innings accelaration to the run-rate finish nearer 7-an-over than six.  137 the home side's target.  

And with a few club supporters watching the Renfrew CC livestream on Facebook, the 'Loc bowlers then looked to defend their side's score.  Robert Cathcart and Imran Adrees set the perfect tone to this end, opening in tandem, and returning combined figures of 4-0-16-0 to restrict their hosts at the start of their run-chase.  Kess Sajjad and Ihtisham Malik - the latter making a welcome return to Poloc colours - then bowled the middle overs, Ihtisham picking up the wicket of Malik, and Kess dismissing Abbasi.  With ten overs gone Renfrew had been restricted to 51 for 3, and the 'Loc were very much in control.  With some big overs needed therefore, skipper Mudassar Khan brought himself in to the attack alongwith Ahmed-Raza Hanif, and it would be the latter that would bring the game to an abrupt end by - twice - taking two-in-two-balls, and finishing with the remarkable figures of 2.5-1-3-5 to record a "5-for" for himself, and the win for the side.  

So a win, and progression in what is believed to be the oldest T20 cup competition in the world.  Next up, a home quarter-final tie on 24 June 2021.  [Scorecard] 

Club President update [posted 08/06/21] 

Club President Kenneth Robertson (pictured) has written to members again today, updating them on activities at the club.   Kenneth's May update has been emailed to members, and circulated to junior players' parents and senior players by WhatsApp today.  It can also be read, here online.

Under 12s get their matchday programme underway [posted 08/06/21] 

The Under 12s finally got some matchplay under their belts this evening, making the short trip over the river to "Hughenden" to play Hillhead.  On a glorious evening, there was some good cricket on view, with a win eventually being secured by 44 runs [Ed': under the Under 12 competition's quirky rules!].  Batting first, in pairs, 153 for 7 was posted, with both Adam Ali and Jacob Haw getting in to double figures, the latter registering a nice maximum in his thirteen-ball 14.  Running between the wickets was pass'able, but there's still work to be done on those old chestnuts: clear calling, and backing up. 

For the Hillhead side, Wild, with 3 for 16 was their standout bowler.  With 4 runs being credited to a side's total for each wicket taken, Hillhead started their reply on 28 for 0.  However this advantage was relatively quickly reduced by some tight bowling, and the fall of early wickets.  Six wickets were taken in the first ten overs of the home side's reply, with a "champagne moment" from Jacob Haw, being his catch at square, holding on to a hard-hit pull.  #CreditTheCoaches  In all Hillhead would lose fourteen wickets en route to amassing 109 runs (including the 28 they gained from their first innings efforts - hope you're all still following!).  The 56 runs gained by taking the fourteen wickets, therefore, saw Poloc end on 153, and registering a 44-run win, with Hillhead finishing on 109.  And, finally, mention to Hillhead's Rae, who ended up on the losing side, despite blasting an eighteen-ball 26 in his side's reply. 

So, good to get started, and thanks to Hillhead for their hosting.  [Scorecard]

Opening day league defeat for the 'Loc [posted 05/06/21] 

"Nunholm" was the picturesque venue for what turned out to be the 'Loc's league opener of season 2021, after continuing Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions put paid to scheduled matchdays one and two.  A side that showed no fewer than nine changes from the last Poloc team to take to the field in a league match (on 3 August 2019) found themselves in the field first after skipper Imran Adrees won the toss and invited the hosts to bat first.  This looked like it might've back-fired on the 'Loc skipper however, as the home side's openers put on 65 for the first wicket, having raced out of the blocks assisted by some wayward bowling in the first four overs.  And when 99 was on the 'board with still just the one Dumfries wicket having been taken, it looked possible that the 'Loc might be chasing a big score.  However three quick wickets then saw the side claw their way back into things, as 99 for 1 became 118 for 4.  Brockwell (54) and Davidson (21) steadied the home ship though, and added the second, 50-run partnership of the innings, before the latter departed.  178 for 5, and ten overs left.  The final ten overs saw the usual clatter of wickets as the Dumfries lower order looked to push their side's total past 200, and this they did, the hosts being eventually bowled out on the last ball of the innings.  Kess Sajjad, who'd struggled with the new ball, returned to the attack in style, and did most of the damage late on, grabbing the last four wickets to finish with 4 for 31.  Robert Cathcart (6-2-14-0) and Ahmed-Raza Hanif (9-1-35-2) also deserve mentions on the bowling front, both bowling tightly.  221 to win. 

The 'Loc run-chase started really well.  Calum James (12) and Sufian Ali (28) put on 26 for the first wicket, and then the latter added 65 with Andrew Mallichan (37) to see the 'Loc 91 for 1 at one stage, and still inside the twenty-over mark.  However the second wicket - Sufian Ali being dismissed - sparked, as had happened in the Dumfries innings, a minor collapse: 91 for 1 becoming 107 for 5 as Andrew Mallichan, Kess Sajjad (10), and Mudassar Khan (1) all departed in just over five overs.  It was now a tougher assignment to chase down the 221 required for the win.  And the assignment proved beyond the lower order as only Robert Cathcart (17) got in to double figures, and the side slipped to 150 all out in the 42nd over, and to a defeat by 70 runs.  

So an "opening day" defeat, but perhaps still positive signs: the bowling was decent enough, with a couple of tight spells from Robert Cathcart and Ahmed-Raza Hanif, and Kess Sajjad cleaning up the tail.  And the start of the run-chase, along with Andrew Mallichan's 37 (50), gives hope that the side could post a competitive total in future games.  [Scorecard]  

Michelle Watt [posted 04/05/21] 

We are delighted to say "hi" to Michelle Watt (pictured, left) who is the latest member of the Grounds Maintenance Glasgow grounstaff team at "Shawholm", who started at the club this week, under the tutelage of Head Groundsman Adam Richardson.  If you see Michelle around the ground, remember to say hello!  Welcome to "Shawholm" Michelle!

Cricket Scotland - return to cricket update [posted 04/06/21] 

Cricket Scotland has, today, issued updated guidance club cricket, and this can be found online, here.

Weekend matches cancelled [posted 04/06/21] 

Unfortunately Saturday's home Premier League Reserve fixture between the Shawholm XI and Dumfries CC's Nunholm XI has been cancelled, with the Dumfries club unable to fulfil it.  Our thanks to Dumfries CC Chair Andy Reed for the early intimation of this, and we completely understand the reasons behind it.  Sunday's scheduled Sunday League opener is also, to add to the disappointment, off, Renfrew CC requiring, instead, to play their rescheduled Scottish Cup first round match.  It is hoped this fixture will, itself, be rescheduled for later in the season.  

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