Despite an improved performance in the field and two promising bowling debuts, Championship 3 league leaders Woodfarm proved too strong for Galloway seconds at East Renfrewshire on Sunday, winning by 106 runs.
In damp surroundings that delayed the start, the captains agreed the home side would bat first and that all overs would be bowled from the same end. Akhil and Sifat, on debut, made it hard for the openers and after dropping a low catch off his new ball partner Akhil took the first wicket when he bowled Hussain.
Ali Sarwat was lucky to be reprieved with an early LBW shout from Sifat but was later dismissed that way by the other debutant Rasel with his quickish off spin. Woodfarm were 67-2 at drinks, with boundaries a rarity on the overgrown outfield.
Both Paul Swift and Lawrence Costa bowled some tight overs, before an expensive last one. Lawrence bowled top scorer Shaikh with a googly and also bowled Ali Tabasum via his pad.
The opening bowlers returned and took two wickets apiece, with Akhil hitting the stumps twice and Sifat seeing two catches held, one by Logan and the other at the fourth attempt by Sparky at slip – the champagne moment! In his one over Paul Lindsay gathered a low return to run out Iqbal.
On a grey day at a cheerless venue with limited facilities, the visitors welcomed the sumptuous spread provided for the tea interval, especially the chicken biriyani.
Woodfarm were almost as generous as Galloway with their wides too, gifting more than one an over, but the match was over as a contest when 15-year-old pace bowler Zayd Tariq took four early wickets. First to go was Sparky, bowled by a superb delivery for no score.
Lawrence was hit on the foot and went LBW, and after a good shot for two Akhil was bowled in the same over. Andy Naylor had looked comfortable, scoring mainly on the off side, but was narrowly run out when a leg side pull slowed up. The outfield was certainly not providing shots with their true value.
The score was soon 23-5 when Rasel was also bowled for two by Tariq. Sifat and Paul Lindsay then featured in the biggest partnership of 19. Sifat hit the only boundary of the innings over mid wicket before holing out at mid on for six, and Paul was last out for a well-made 13.
Paul Swift and Andy Whitaker were both dismissed cheaply to good fielding, caught at slip and run out by a direct hit respectively. Logan Thorburn scored his first runs for the team, haring up and down like a hyperactive whippet before being bowled for five.
Skipper John Goodenough was left on one not out. He saw enough positive signs to give his team realistic hopes that they can end their losing streak in June, when they visit both teams that are below them in the league.
Woodfarm 176-9 (40 overs) A Sudhi 3-32, S Rabby 2-36, L Costa 2-43, R Mia 1-33, A Shaikh 40
Galloway 2nds 70 (26.2 overs) P Lindsay 13, A Naylor 9, Z Tariq 5-20
