Silver lining as Drumps lift cup

Drumpellier’s cricketers put their relegation woes behind them to lift the PlayerReg West League Cup at Whitehaugh on Sunday, writes Kerr Davidson.

The Coatbridge side defeated Ayr by four wickets in the final of the 20-over competition to put a shine on an otherwise poor season.

Bowling first, Will Leslie’s team motored through the top order, reducing Ayr to nine for three.

However, a stand of 43 between brothers Scott and Andi McElnea restored some hope for the Alloway men.

But Mat Crawshaw’s dismissal by Harvey Box saw the last three Ayr wickets tumble for just two runs as they fell to 87 for nine from their allotted overs.

Box and Kess Sajjad each took three wickets apiece.

However, it was far from easy going in Drumps’

reply. Scott McElnea reduced the underdogs to 32 for two with two quick wickets while Calum Leck claimed three in his first two overs as Drumps’top order fell for 58 – 32 of them by South African Mat Goles.

But star man Box was assisted by Josh Sajjad to chase down the remaining runs to see Drumps win with an over to spare.

“We have a lot of young guys in the side so it was a great experience for them and should help their progress going into next season,”said Drumps spokesman Gordon Shaw.

“It was also great to see club legend George Allan presenting the trophy,”he added.

Drumps finished second bottom of the Western Premier Division on Saturday and will play next season in the region’s second tier.

In their final league game, Ferguslie were bowled out for 172 at Langloan but Drumps lost by 66 runs after being dismissed for 106. ● RUGBY: Waysiders/Drumpellier made a losing start to the West Division Two season at the weekend as the Coatbridge men – who host Cumnock on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) – were defeated 37-20 by Clydebank at Whitecrook.