Big blow for cricketers:

East Kilbride Cricket Club’s title hopes were dealt a devastating blow on Saturday after they lost to league leaders Drumpellier.

A win for the Torrance House would have seen them leapfrog their rivals into pole position in the Western District First Division, but Drumpellier won the top of the table clash by 44 runs at Calderglen Country Park.

EK won the toss and put Drumpellier into bat and it seemed a good decision as they had the league leaders at 35 for three wickets and it seemed they were going to fall like they had done to GHK the week before.

But then Dal and Keltie put on a 64 partnership before Dal was out LBW for 48.

The score was soon 99 for four wickets, then a stubborn resistance by the league leaders saw Leslie (69 not out) and Keltie (57 not out ) put in a big stand in the last 20 overs to post a total of 218 for four after 50 overs.

It seemed when EK went into bat it would be all be finished before 15 overs as Mustaq scored 64 in 27 balls.

EK were 90 for two wickets when Drumpellier changed the bowling attack to Khan and Pryde, and Mustaq was removed by Khan after five wickets for 35 runs.

Drumpellier soon had EK at 156 for six wickets in 36 overs. Iqbal stayed around for 44 runs but was soon gone to Khan and EK’s last three wickets went for 19 runs to gurarantee Drumpellier promotion to the Premier Division.

Drumpellier need to win two of the last three games to be champions, whereas EK need to hope they blow it. If EK win one of their last three games against Renfrew (away), Kelburne (home) or Stenhousemuir (away) they will earn promotion.

EK’s match at Renfrew on Saturday starts at noon.