A C Guitars Kingholm took on promoted team GHK Strathclyde last Saturday, with hopes of winning their first fixture of the 2017 campaign and moving from the bottom of the table.
Much like previous weeks, a mix of call-offs, holidays and exams meant that Saints 2nd XI was reduced to just 9 players. On the bright side, Chris Foster was able to fulfil his role of captain for the first time this season, and upon winning the toss he decided to bat first.
Due to such short numbers, middle order batsman Farrukh Naqvi and 16-year-old Connor Lynch were sent to open the batting for A C Guitars, and put on a decent first wicket stand of 34 before Lynch was bowled for a good knock of 16.
This was Lynch’s first experience of opening the batting for Saints, and looks very promising for the future as he begins to hit decent scores more consistently. Naqvi was then bowled just 2 overs later for 22.
Numan Butt came and went for 6, before skipper Chris Foster stepped up to try and salvage something for his young Saints team. Foster was looking dangerous, and was in no mood for hanging about, finding the ropes at almost every opportunity.
Finlay Jack didn’t last long, bowled for a duck, while Raj Shyam made 3 runs before he was caught by the keeper when the ball brushed a loose piece of batting tape. Foster was still pilling on the runs, and made 42 (including 5 fours) before being caught at deep mid-on.
Youngsters Ross Dalling, Daniel Veitch and Ryan Geddes made 6, 8 and 1, respectively, with the latter finishing not out. This brought the Saints total to 117, a fairly decent score considering they batted with just 9 players, including 5 juniors. The total could have been higher had Butt and Jack made better contributions, however, it was at least defendable in practice.
A C Guitars set out to attack GHK in the opening overs, with captain and vice-captain, Foster and Jack, opening the bowling. Both were bowling well, keeping a tight line and length without any luck.
Some good captaincy by Foster, through changes of bowling at both ends led to wickets for Lynch, who struck with his first ball, and Naqvi whose varied bowling was causing GHK all sorts of problems.
Naqvi could have had a second wicket as well, had Shyam not dropped opener Callum McGlynn who at the time was on just 20. This was a key moment in the game, as McGlynn went on to make 68 not out.
Ryan Geddes, Raj Shyam, Ross Dalling and Daniel Veitch all came on for a bowl, with Dalling taking 2 wickets in 2 balls. Ultimately, this didn’t affect the overall outcome, with GHK reaching 123-4 in 30 overs and condemning Saints to yet another defeat.
Positives that can be taken from the game were the batting of Lynch, as well as the bowling of juniors Jack, Dalling, Geddes, Veitch and Lynch.
Man of the Match went to skipper Chris Foster for his 42 runs; showing many of his teammates how it’s done. However, the wait for a win continues, and A C Guitars will hope to achieve this next week when they take on Glenpark at the Kingholm.
A C Guitars Kingholm: 117 all out in 31 overs. C. Foster 42. U. Amin 5-0-13-3, N. Ahmed 5-0-18-2.
GHK Strathclyde: 123-4 in 30 overs. C. McGlynn 68not out. R. Dalling 2-0-15-2
