Latest news and club notices

Under 12s continue their winning streak [posted 27/06/21] 

The Under 12s gained revenge for their only defeat of the season, thus far, beating visitors Hillhead this evening by 8 runs in a closely-fought encounter.  Played in glorious weather, the match saw Hillhad bat first and post 93 for 11.  The loss of eleven wicket also meant - under the applicable pairs rules - that the Under 12s would start their reply on 44 for 0, 4 runs being gained for each wicket taken.  The eleven wickets were shared around, but Muneeb Rehman was the standout performer, returning 4 for 8 in his three overs.  Adam Ali (3-1-4-1) and Max Moffat (3-0-9-2) also bowled tightly to restrict the visitors' batters.  In the field there was good stuff on show, from Muneeb Rehman throwing himself around to stop balls, through Max Moffat scurrying here-there-and-everywhere, and good catches by Adam Ali and Finlay Rumins, to Jacob Haw and Finlay Rumins tag-teaming seamlessly to execute a neat run out.  So, 94 to win, and starting 44 for 0 was the half-time equation.  However, of course, if wickets were then lost in their run-chase, the Under 12s' target would increase. 

As it was, the side only lost six wickets as they, first, reached the Hillhead total, and then surpassed it.  Last pair Max Moffat and Jacob Haw were both not out [Ed': despite Max's best attempts to run both of them out on more than one occasion - think Keystone Cops!], and "safely" saw the side to the win.  Adam Ali, batting with Finlay Rumins, top-scored with 18, and Aaatish Venkatesan (12) also got into double figures, batting in the second pair with Zaviyar Abbasi.  125 for 6 was their final score, seeing the Under 12s win by 8 runs.  Well done to them, and another good game on a great night for junior cricket. 

Updated guidance for club fixtures under COVID-19 Level 0 restrictions [posted 26/07/21] 

Cricket Scotland has released updated guidance for clubs hosting club fixtures, the main points being: 

• Club fixtures and cricket festivals can now take place between clubs with a maximum size of 500;
• The use of changing rooms is permitted where deemed necessary, specifically in the event of wet weather; and
• Spectators are now permitted, with restrictions.

The full guidance is online, here.

Panthers get past Victoria in the Sunday League [posted 25/07/21] 

The Panthers ensured it wouldn't be a winless weekend with a one-wicket win over Victoria in the Sunday League today at "Shawholm".  In what, perhaps was not unexpectedly, a rollickingly rumbustious affair, the Panthers dismissed their visitors from "Bellahouston Park" for 161 in under 35 overs, after being asked to bowl first.  The wickets were shared around, with two each for Mudassar Khan, Saad Salim, Hamaad Anwar, Awace Ahmed, and Hunnain Sohail.  Set 162 to win the Panthers would eventually sneak home with just the one wicket in hand, with Saad Salim (9*) and Hamaad Anwar (10*) holding their nerves to see their side home in the 36th over.  The run-chase had, however, looked far less "in doubt" earlier on the innings after a reasonable start from skipper Hunnain Sohail (16), Adil Munir (19), and Osama Baig (37).  But then a middle order collapse, with Humza Baig, Hasan Malik, and Sarfraz Malik mustering just 8 runs between them to see the result swing back in to the balance.  Mudassar Khan - batting at seven - then steadied the ship as he got in to the twenties, however when he was dismissed for 23, and Irfan Hanif came-and-went for 1, it was down to the tail.  But, fortunately, Awace Ahmed (11), at nine, then Saad Salim and Hamaad Anwar, at ten and Jack, had just enough to secure the "W".  So, back-to-back Sunday League wins that sees the Panthers three-from-three in the league thus far.  [Scorecard]  

Shawholm winning streak ended [posted 24/07/21] 

Meikleriggs were the visitors to "Shawholm" today where their eponymous hosts were looking to extend their league winning streak.  And after bowling their visitors out for 179, and sitting pretty midway through their run-chase, at 135 for 5, it looked like another "W" was on the cards.  But no.  Ahem, not so fast!  135 for 5 would become 150 all out as the side collapsed to finish 30 runs short of their target.  Disappointing after the first innings' effort, and then the good start to the run-chase.  Balawal Fahim (35) was again top-scorer, but couldn't repeat his heroics of the last two weekends, and a cameo 23 from skipper Irfan Hanif was also not enough, as only two other batters got into double figures, and seven couldn't get past 6.  Not even 34 runs in wides from Meikleriggs could see the side home [Ed': that's waywardness of Poloc proportions!  ]. 

But let's go back to the first innings.  Meikleriggs batted first after winning the toss, and at 80 without loss this looked a great decision.  However three quick wickets saw Shawholm right back in it, 80 for 0 becoming 89 for 3.  And then, from that juncture, the Shawholm bowlers just kept chipping away and picking up wickets to see Meikleriggs eventually dismissed for 179.  Abdullah Malik (8-2-25-4) and Elliot Moffat (8-1-27-3) were the stand-out bowlers, bamboozling the visitors' batters with their leg-spin.  And 179 would prove enough as Shawholm's batters failed to fire for the first time in the last three matches.  [Scorecard] 

Mention, too, of a significant injury to Hasan Rafiq, who dislocated his knee whilst batting.  No doubt disturbing to the others players, everyone was pleased to hear that his knee has been "put back in" by hospital staff, and Hasan is on the road to recovery.  We wish him well, and a full, and speedy, recovery. 

Poloc go down to heavy defeat at "Meikleriggs" [posted 24/07/21] 

The 'Loc suffered a big loss today, at a sun-kissed "Meikleriggs" on the Côte d'Paisley.  Set a whopping 322 to win, the side capitulated to 103 all out, with the only batting plaudits going to Calum James who carried his bat amidst the carnage for an unbeaten 54.  His innings included six 4s and two 6s, and was the exception-that-proved-the-rule as wickets fell around him at regular intervals.  Murtaza Syed likely also comes out of the game with net credit, following up his "4-for" last week against Langside, with another four-wicket haul in Paisley, and a cameo 28 batting at seven.  Albeit it was a tad more expensive - 4 for 71 - it did, however, see Ferguslie batters succumb to his leggies - two cleaned up, and two trapped leg-before.  The rest of the batting 'card probably shouldn't be dwelt upon, as six players failed to trouble the scorers, their wagon wheels remaining spokeless.  103 all out resulted in a 218-run loss.  

The big target set for the 'Loc included the usual extras dollop, this week's wides count rising to an almost improbably high 28!  Five home side batters also got their "names in the 'paper", reaching 30, with Ferguslie skipper Henry top-scoring with 75 before becoming one of Murtaza Syed's victims.  So, a heavy defeat, and it's back to training in the search for improvement, next Saturday seeing the 'Loc host near-neighbours Clydesdale.  [Scorecard]

Representative selections [posted 20/07/21] 

Congratulations to Kess Sajjad on his inclusion in a Scotland A squad for their match against Yorkshire Academy at "Goldenacre" this week.  Also playing representative matches this week - and another two-day match - are James Cathcart and Hasan Malik, both selected for the Western Warriors Under 17s who take on the Caledonian Highlanders at "Forthill" this week. 

The Panthers make it a two-from-three weekend [posted 18/07/21] 

East Renfrewshire were the visitors to "Shawholm" today, taking on the Panthers in th Sunday League.  Batting first after winning the toss, the Panthers used their full allocation of overs, posting 212 for 7.  Balawal Fahim (69) continued his rich vein of form, and was supported by Ali Raza Qazi (66) who was up against his former club.  Murtaza Syed also chipped in with a cameo 27, batting at five, as the Panthers set their visitors 213 to win.  And East Renfrewshire very nearly go what they wanted, falling just 3 runs short of their target, to see the Panthers win by 2 runs.  The wickets were shared around, but Saad Salim's 3 for 35 was the standout bowling performance, including the key dismissal of the visitor's skipper Ahad (49).  Zaki Tariq also completed impressive back-to-back performances on his debut weekend of cricket for the club, returning figures of 7-0-25-2 opening the bowling in tandem with Saad Salim.  [Scorecard]

Shawholm continue their winning run [posted 17/07/21]  

The Shawholm league bandwagon rolled on today, with an impressive four-wicket win at "Shawholm" over Albert Park.  Set 176 to win, an unbeaten 70 from Balawal Fahim, that followed his 70 last weekend in the win over St. Ninian's, was the innings around which a successful chase was completed.  He was supported by 37 from Ehsan Rafiq opening the batting, and a cameo 18 from Rizvan Ali at five.  176 for 6 in the 46th over saw the side across the finishing line with plenty balls in hand.  A good chase.  

The target of 176 set by Albert Park was after Shawholm had bowled out their visitors for 175.  Abdullah Malik grabbed 4 for 32 as the Albert Park tail struggled, only 7 runs coming off the bat from batters seven through eleven.  38 runs in wides - the #PolocPlague - were, however, generously given to the side from Newlands, and 176 to win wasn't a shoe-in to chase down.  But chased down it was, and the win sees Shawholm settle in the top-half of the table.  [Scorecard]   

The 'Loc lose out in low-scoring affair [posted 17/07/21] 

Set just 140 to beat Langside at "Albert Park", the 'Loc fell 17 short of their target, being bundled out for just 123.  This was a disappointing end after skittling their hosts - formerly Weirs CC - for 139, with Murtaza Syed grabbing a "4-for" (7-0-26-4) with his leg-spin.  In the field first after having lost the toss, the side made quick inroads in to the Langside batting, with a brace of Cathcarts again opening the bowling.  And both Robert (8-0-33-1) and James (4-0-18-1) were in the wickets early as Langside slumped to 17 for 3.  However the home ship was steadied somewhat and it was, at one stage, 106 for 3.  But then a collapse akin to a drunk playing Jenga then ensued, and 106 for 3 had become 139 all out, with Murtaza Syed running amok.  Imran Adrees took a couple of wickets amidst the chaos too, eventually returning figures of 7-1-23-2.  139 all out, 140 to win.  Wide count?  22.  Remember that number. 

The 'Loc's reply got off to the worst possible start as the side made the Langside top-order's effort look half-decent.  Without the services of their two top run scorers this season - Calum James (holiday), and Saif Sajjad (ill) - a re-jigged top order slumped to 17 for 3, a start that would not have been the plan, as the side failed to see off the new ball.  Then some stability was restored as Sufian Ali (17) and Kess Sajjad (24) added 40 before being separated.  57 for 4.  New batter in; loads of overs left.  Breathe.  Start again.  But, not to be.  57 for 3 became 58 for 6 as dismissal followed dismissal.   But then, again, the pendulum slowly started its journey back towards the 'Loc.  75 for 6.  Past the halfway mark.  75 for 7, then 76 for 8, however, saw the pendulum stop its journey and return back from whence it came.  Could the tail wag?  33 was added for the ninth woicket as the tail showed some fight.  And Ahmed-Raza Hanif (19*) and James Cathcart (1) did all they could to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, but would be separated 17 runs shy of their side's target.  123 all out in the 47th over.  17 runs short therefore.  Now remember that number from earlier?  22.  Enough said.  #PolocPlague  [Scorecard] 

Under 12s win yet again [posted 12/07/21]  

The Under 12s' convoy drove through a sort of Arctic winter of torrential rain falling from a jet black sky to get to a,.....gloriously bright, sunny and warm "Glenpark" this evening to take on hosts Greenock in their latest Under 12 League match.  On debut was Adam McNeill who stood in for an AWOL Muntaha Maqsood, and Max Moffat finally managed to convince his football manager the footy season was done and made his season 2021 entrance.  Batting first, the side ended 99 for 8, the eight wickets falling being a blight on an otherwise good batting display.  Adam Ali top-scored with an unbeaten 20, whilst Max Moffat was dismissed twice en route to 17.  Those eight wickets, of course, also meant Greenock started their chase, for 100, with 32 runs already on the 'board.  And the run-chase would go down to the wire, with the 'Loc eventually sneaking home by just a couple of runs, Greenock finishing up 109 for 3, and therefore 3 short of their target. 

The 'Loc bowling was really a tale of two halves: Adam Ali (3-0-6-0), Max Moffat (2-0-3-0), Aatish Venkatesan (2-1-2-2), and Liam McNeill (2-0-8-0) were all super-economical, but their efforts were very nearly negated by some more wayward bowling from the rest of the bowling unit.  But, in the end, the side snuck home, and this was credit to some good ground field that backed up the tight bowling that was on show.  [Scorecard]

Shawholm record back-to-back league wins [posted 10/07/21] 

Okay, so last week's match in Renfrew against Dean Park was abandoned, but, the week before, Shawholm snuck home against Langloan to record the win, and so today's five-wicket win at the "Henry Thow Oval" was, technically, still, a second consecutive victory.  Set 193 to win, the convincing run-chase centred around a 133-run partnership between Hunnain Sohail (69) and Balawal Fahim (70, pictured, left).  When they were separated with the total on 134, they'd broken the back of the challenge set in the St. Ninian's' innings.  And, though a couple more wickets would fall, a 4 from Hasan Rafiq saw the side across the finish line in the 41st over, and scooped them another 25 win points.     The target of 193 had been set after St. Ninian's were restricted to 192 for 7 batting first, deciding to have first use of the pitch after Irfan Hanif had guessed wrong at the toss.  In a decent bowling display by the Shawholm bowlers, particular mention to Nabel Khan who opened the bowling with Saad Salim, and returned figures of 5-1-13-0 to prevent the home side getting off to a flyer.

Abdullah Malik got through ten overs - the only Shawholm bowler to bowl a full allocation - and his spell cost just 37.  With three run outs executed - by Nabeel Khan, Elliott Moffat, and Hunnain Sohail - the home side became growingly jittery towards the end of their innings trying to "up" the score.  So, a decent bowling display,.....until you check out the #PolocPlague column: 43 runs gifted in wides!  The plague rages on.....  Anyway, a win's a win they say, so let's leave the wides for another day.  [Scorecard] 

Another washout! [posted 10/07/21] 

Like London buses it seems!  You see none for ages, then two come along at once.  After last Saturday's home match against Uddingston was abandoned at the innings interval, Poloc's hosting of Prestwick went exactly the same way.  That said the 'Loc hadn't been set over 300 to win this time.  Instead, after restricting their visitors to 184 for 7, they were targeting 185 for the "W".  But, just 1.1 overs in to their reply, and 15 for 0, the match was abandoned, persistent, and at times heavy, rain ensuring no further play would be possible.

Looking back in a bit more detail at the Prestwick innings, for the first time we had the Cathcart brothers opening the bowling in tandem, their combined twenty overs returning figures of 20-3-50-3 for a more-than-decent return for the family!  Imran Adrees was also at his economical best, his ten-over spell seeing him take 2 for just 23.  [Scorecard] 

Win in the Evening League over Renfrew [posted 06/07/21] 

The Panthers got off the mark in the Evening League this evening, with a five wicket win over Renfrew at "Shawholm".  In the field first, the Panthers restricted their visitors to 132 for 7, with Calum James turning his arm over to great effect, returning figures of 4-0-21-2.  Abdullah Malik, with 2 for 24, was the other home bowler to take a brace of wickets.  In the reply, the side got off to a good start, with Calum James likely cememting a MoTM performance, adding 32 at the top of the order to his bowling display.  His innings included five 4s.  Three other Panthers batters got in to double figures, with Mudassar Khan top-scoring amongt this trio, with 27 batting at five.  Balawal Fahim (17) and skipper Hunnain Sohail (18*) were the other two batters to get past 10.  The winning post was reach in the twentieth, and final over, the Panthers finishing 133 for 5.  So a decent win, on a better night after the recent rains.  [Ed': a win it might've been, but the Panthers did still concede 21 runs in wides, yes, that ol' chestnut.....]  [Scorecard]

A couple of washouts [posted 03/07/21] 

Both today's Saturday League matches were - literally - washed away by a couple of the localised thunderstorms that were a feature of the day's weather.  At "Shawholm", the 'Loc were maybe thankful for the intervention by the weather gods as visitors Uddingston had racked up over 300 batting first.  Including a remarkable 217 from opener Awais, the "Bothwell Castle Policies" side posted 329 for 6, with most of the 'Loc bowlers taking a hiding.  Mention though for James Cathcart, who was making his competitive 1st XI debut, and, amidst the carnage, returned figures of 19-0-50-3, including the wicket of bludgeoner-in-chief Awais.  James's older brother Robert must've thought his afternoon was also going, comparatively, pretty well, as his first six overs cost just 15.  Awais, changing gears, then had different ideas, as overs seven through nine cost 52.  And Robert's experience wasn't unique: Kess Sajjad's first six overs saw him return figures of 6-1-19-1, before seeing his next four go for 34.  As skipper Imran Adrees looked to find a way to slow Awais down he would try seven bowlers, Murtaza Syed and Sufian Ali likely not thanking him for tossing them the ball with Awais in full flow, their four overs going for 34 runs too, and Imran himself perhaps wondering how his own figures of 5-1-16-1 ended up as 10-1-67-1.  Sometimes it's your day though, and today was certainly Awais's.  Well batted to him. 

With the Uddingston innings finished (and it having included a couple of rain breaks, and an early tea), when the near flash flood hit, the officials quickly abandoned the match, with the 'Loc not having started their reply.  [Scorecard] 

Shawholm didn't fare much better over in Renfrew either, their match against hosts Dean Park at "King George V Playing Field" being hit by another thunderstorm earlier in the afternoon than the one that hit Pollok Park.  Batting first the Shawholm openers had been skittled by the Dean Park bowlers, the side slipping to 46 for 4 at one stage.  A recovery was, however, being put together by Hasan Malik (21*) and Abdullah Malik (6*), batting in the middle order, the two having added 34 when the match was abandoned.  Again it was good to see two of the club's younger players contributing in senior cricket, Hasan Malik, in particular, continuing his run of good form with the bat. [Scorecard]  

Panthers exit Greenwood Cup [posted 01/07/21] 

The Panrthers were dumped out of the Greenwood Cup this evening by Motherwell, as the club's curse of being unable to bowl straight again came back to haunt a side.  Batting first, the visitors from Lanarkshire amassed 144 for 9 in their twenty,.....sorry make that 23 overs, as the Panthers' bowlers somehow contrived to gift 21 runs in wides, bowling eighteen individual wide deliveries!  That was three extra overs for Motherwell to face, so the total cost of the Panthers' waywardness with the pink sphere was far more than 23.  Ouchay!  readers might think the wide problem's been exaggerated, but tonight's 21 wides took the total conceded by senior Poloc teams in competitive fixtures this season to over 250!  That's in just sixteen competitive matches!  And ten of the sixteen matches were T20s!  It really is hard to win when you're giving your opponent a 16-run start.  Anyway, back to this evening's match: amidst the wide bowling there was a hat-trick, extraordinarily enough.  This rare sight was delivered by Saad Salim as he dismissed three visiting batters at the tail-end of the first innings.  Motherwell, batting first, had posted 144 for 9.

Needing 145 to win, the Panthers got off to great start, with Calum James slaying the Motherwell attack all round "Shawholm".  He raced to 41 from just 23 deliveries before his opening partnership with Hunnain Sohail was ended.  56 for 1.  At the halfway mark the Panthers were still "up" with the rate, at 73 for 2.  Zakir Siddiqui (2) had been the second batter to depart, leaving Hunnain Sohail with his third partner.  Hunnain would bat through for an unbveaten 50 (46), but could really accelerate as the run-rate slowed in the second ten overs of his side's reply.  And in the final analysis, the Panthers would finish 132 for 5, and a defeat by 12 runs.  12 runs, or just about half the wides conceded.  They really do kill you.  So another cup exit, and another case of what might have been, with some harikiri thrown in.....   [Scorecard] 

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