Last Saturday could prove to be the most crucial match of the season for RWS Forestry St. Michaels Cricket Club.
In getting their league match versus Weirs played at the Kingholm Park when all other matches in the West of Scotland were victims of the rain and then fashioning an unpredicted win by 6 wickets with their most complete performance of the season, it gives the side a palpable lifeline to escape relegation.
If the weather stays fair for their next three consecutive home games against teams that are definitely beatable, and the side maintains Saturday’s all round performance, a Houdini act of escapism could be achieved.
Weirs opted to bat first on a firm pitch in drizzly conditions, probably because they are a strong bowling team and didn’t want to use a wet ball. They started positively against the Saints opening attack of Kieran Moore and Tom Holmes, with 36 on the on the board in just six overs before Z Shahid was Holmes first victim caught smartly in the gully by Juan Martins.
Martins then joined Holmes as first change and the pair bowled tightly, restricting Weirs batsmen from playing their favoured expansive shots, and soon frustration saw wickets fall with Holmes capturing another two in his spell and Martins taking another two; one an athletic diving catch by wicket-keeper Farrukh Navqui.
At 86 for 5, Chris Brockwell entered the attack proving to be unplayable, bowling his best spell of the season taking the last five wickets to fall for a personal cost of only nine runs, with Weirs finishing 108 all out in 30 overs.
Saints realised that scoring the 109 for victory wouldn’t be easy against sharp bowling and the club’s recent batting fragility, but the pitch was drying out and in Brockwell they had the man for the occasion proving why he was recently chosen for a WDCU Select Xl.
Brockwell held the batting together with a polished 59 runs, always playing in an aggressive manner and not letting the bowlers settle. At 48 for 3, skipper Tom Holmes entered the fray and a partnership of 50 with Brockwell settled the nerves and the match, Holmes finishing on an accomplished 30 not out and leading from the front.
This win should certainly give Holmes and his side the confidence and impetus to finish the season in the manner that they played last season, with a winning mentality.
Chris Brockwell was the John Walker & Son man of the match for a match winning all round performance, and dedicated the win to Tom Woodhouse for his unwavering encouragement and support of the club.
Weirs CC: 108 all out. M Akram 24, G Raja 16. J Martins 10-2-26-2, T Holmes 10-5-32-2, C Brockwell 5-09-5, K Moore 3-0-24-0, F Navqui 2-1-5-0.
RWS Forestry St Michaels CC: 111-4. C Brockwell 59, T Holmes 30 n.o.
This Saturday RWS Forestry St Michaels are at home to G.H.K. at Kingholm Park 12 noon start.
