On Saturday past St Michael’s Cricket Club were away in Glasgow playing Victoria at Bellahouston Park and for the second week running a close match ensued with Saints scraping through by one wicket. The highlights of the match were two outstanding all-round performances by Riley Coy and Tanzeel Ur Rehman.
Victoria on being put into bat lost their top three batsmen with 37 runs on the board to yet another quick opening bowling spell by the impressive Coy. The introduction of the different styles of bowling of Tanzeel Ur Rehman and Niamh Muir brought another 3 wickets, Rehman with two and Muir with one, leaving Victoria 72 for 6.
Unfortunately for the away team, a hard-hitting counterattack by the latter Victoria batters, brought them another 96 runs finishing 168 all out in 43.5 overs, the last four wickets falling to Qayoom Momand (3) and Skipper Kieran Moore (1). The catching was good with 6 being held, Coy (2), Ronan Wilson (2), Momand with a caught and bowled and Farukkh Naqvi completing a good display behind the stumps with one.
In reply Saints started poorly losing three early wickets for 27 runs to a penetrative Victoria bowling attack. However Coy took on the anchor role batting sensibly with few risks taken. He was involved in partnerships of 30 with Chris Lumb (10), 34 with Naqvi (15) and 30 with Usman Ali (7).
The score was 154 for 7 when Coy was caught for an excellent 67, but any nerves were abated by Ur Rehman batting at no.9 who took over Coy’s mantle and, despite another wicket falling, completed an excellent innings of 31 not out by hitting the winning runs.
This was an exciting match narrowly won by St Michael’s but Victoria have to be congratulated for the competitive but sporting manner in which the game was played.
Thanks go to the match ball sponsor Kenny Moore School of Motoring.
This Saturday St Michael’s are at home to league leaders East Kilbride in what will be a tough assignment.
Junior training for ages 6 to 16 continues on Fridays from 5pm to 6pm at Kingholm park and all newcomers are welcome. Senior training continues on Tuesday’s and Friday’s and all are welcome, regardless of ability. If you would like further information, please contact the St Michael’s Cricket Club Facebook page.
Scorecard
Victoria 168 all out in 43.5 overs
St Michael’s Bowling
- Coy 10 overs 3-30
- Ali 3 overs 0-26
- Ur Rehman 10 overs 2-29
- Muir 10 overs 1-44
- Momand 8.5 overs 3-17
- Moore 2 overs 1-18
St Michael’s 171 for 9 (R. Coy 67, T. Ur Rehman 31n.o., F. Naqvi 15, C. Lumb 10)
