In a surprisingly pleasant day at Kingholm Park, St Michael’s Cricket Club 2nd XI; A C Guitars Kingholm were playing their first, and final, friendly of the pre-season. Newly appointed captain Chris Foster didn’t get off to the best of starts, losing the toss and being put in to bat. There was a good blend of youth and experience in the Saints team, with as many as five U16’s playing.
Overseas professional Tom Jackson and ex-skipper Derek Heron were sent into open the batting, with the latter misjudging a delivery in the fourth over to be bowled for a mere six runs. 15-year-old Reece McNay came and went for just two, as did Numan Butt who was caught for a three ball duck.
Finlay Jack was next man in and was bowled by Pat Druce, adding just two to the total as Saints were struggling for any momentum.
Up stepped the experienced Mike Lumb to join Jackson at the crease, and the pair went about putting some runs on the board by running some quick singles, applying the pressure on Galloway in the field, before they started to open up and find the ropes.
By the time Lumb was bowled for a very important knock of 28, Saints were in a far better position. Young Ross Dalling went quickly without scoring, before skipper Chris Foster took to the crease, finding the rope at almost every opportunity. Jackson was caught for a brilliant 88 runs, while Foster went for an impressive 31. Matt Moss and Ryan Geddes saw the innings out as Saints reached 180 from 40 overs.
This was an impressive total considering the mini-collapse at the start of the innings, and would of no doubt been unachievable had Mike Lumb not stepped in and added some control to the innings.
After a finely prepared lunch by the skipper’s better half, the home side went out to defend their total of 180. Captain Chris Foster and 16-year-old Finlay Jack went about their work economically, with the latter picking up the first member of the McGrath family for just 10 runs, adjudged LBW.
Although picking up no more wickets, Saints restricted any real runs and Galloway were on just 32 from the first 13 overs when openers Foster and Jack took a well deserved break.
The “slightly” older pairing of Derek Heron and Mike Lumb then came into the attack, with the former picking up two wickets in a good seven over spell, whilst being complimented by Lumb’s tight bowling from the other end.
Under 16 players Levi White, Reece McNay, Ross Dalling and Ryan Geddes then came on, all bowling well, with Dalling getting a wicket and McNay extremely unfortunate not to get one after going for just 8 runs from 5 overs, including 2 maidens.
Jack and Heron then finished off the innings, with Heron grabbing the final wicket of T McGrath – well stumped by keeper Moss – to make it three for the day, as Galloway finished on 153-5.
Man of the match went to Mike Lumb, for a fantastic batting performance, and a very well bowled 4 overs at a key stage in the match. Saints would like to thank Galloway for a competitive pre-season match once more and wish them all the very best for the coming season.
A C Guitars Kingholm travel to Renfrew this coming Saturday, in a league opener which may prove to be a challenging fixture.
A C Guitars Kingholm 180-8: T. Jackson 88, C. Foster 31, M. Lumb 28. F. Conn 4-1-9-2.
Galloway CC 153-5. M. Williams 43, T. McGrath 41. D. Heron 8-1-25-3, R. Dalling 4-0-17-1, Finlay Jack 8-1-30-1.
By Finlay Jack
