Title-chasing Clydesdale grind out win
CLYDESDALE may have struck the decisive blow in their bid to retain the Western Premier title with victory over second placed Ferguslie at Titwood. This was a slow-burner of a match but it came to a red-hot climax as the hosts edged home by two wickets in the final over.
Having restricted Ferguslie to 182-7, Clydesdale appeared to be cruising when Mo Awais and Con de Lange added 72 for the second wicket following the early loss of Carl Huyser. However, de Lange’s departure, run out following a mix-up with his partner, gave Ferguslie hope, especially when Awais followed, bowled by Haroon Tahir after making a fluent 79.
Mishkal Ramsaroop then got in on the act with two quick wickets while Hamza Tahir took one to reduce Clydesdale to 141-6.
The required run-rate rose along with the tension and when Majid Haq was bowled by Greg Cameron the game was firmly in the balance. However, the champions held their nerve to send Ferguslie to a third consecutive defeat.
Earlier, the visitors had made a steady start to see off Dale’s lauded new -ball attack. Abdul Sabri and Basit Ali have rightly earned plaudits but Ramsaroop and Hannes Venter were relatively untroubled in posting 66 for the first wicket.
It took the introduction of Richie Berrington to induce a false shot from Ramsaroop who nicked behind for 21. Skipper Gregor Preston-Jones showed aggression for the Paisley men but suffered a lapse of concentration to the first ball after drinks and edged a wide one off Ali.
Ali produced a brute of a delivery to clean bowl Venter for 33 as Ferguslie began to lose their way. Their hopes relied to a large extent on Michael English who made a top-score of 36 but was teased out of his crease by Haq and 14 year-old keeper Andrew Guy completed a fine stumping.
East Kilbride consolidated third place with an easy win over Stenhousemuir at Torrance House, first amassing 258-8, Moneeb Iqbal top-scoring with 66, and then dismissing their opponents for 106.
Gavin Bradley scored 87 and Niall MacLeod 66no as Uddingston secured a thrilling last-over win against Ayr.
Drumpellier remain in relegation bother after a 85run loss at Prestwick. Eastern Premier leaders Watsonians survived an early scare before staying on course for the title with victory over Falkland at Scroggie Park.
The Myreside men were in trouble on 67-5 before recovering to reach 183-9 thanks to some stout resistance from the lower order. That proved more than enough as the Fifers slumped back into relegation trouble by tumbling to 35 all out.
Carlton remain the closest challengers after a hard-fought win over Forfarshire at Grange Loan. Chasing 192 for victory, the capital side got home with five wickets to spare thanks mainly to the efforts of Rory McCann who steered the chase with a polished 67.
Arbroath are still in contention thanks to a comfortable ninewicket win over Glenrothes at Lochlands, while the clash between Aberdeenshire and Grange was abandoned due to a wet outfield at Mannofield.
Heriot’s won by 92 runs at Stoneywood-Dyce after posting 255-6 in a match reduced to 28 overs.