Title relief as De Lange comes to the rescue

CLYDESDALE survived a huge scare before clinching the Western Premier championship at the second time of asking with a tense win over Kelburne at Whitehaugh yesterday.

The Titwood men thought they had completed a successful defence of their title last week when their match against Prestwick was abandoned.

However, they failed to follow the proper procedure in calling that game off and a disciplinary hearing awarded the points to Prestwick, opening the door for East Kilbride to win the trophy if Clydesdale lost yesterday.

For several anxious minutes, that possibility looked more of a probability as Dale, chasing just 62 on a minefield of a pitch, slumped to 30-6.

Nerves were jangling in the visiting camp as the Kelburne bowlers had their tails up and the home fielders applied intense pressure. However, just as he had done in last Sunday’s Scottish Cup final triumph against Arbroath, Con de Lange rose to the challenge.

The South African-born Scotland all-rounder had earlier claimed five wickets and he completed a matchwinning display with the outstanding innings of the game.

Taking matters into his own hands as his colleagues came and went in a procession, De Lange three times in one over hit Ross Maclean back over his head to the boundary.

Maclean, with three wickets, including those of Richie Berrington and Majid Haq, had helped spark the mayhem along with the veteran Scott Hamilton, who claimed 4-14.

However, De Lange had the final say, finishing on 29 not out, as Dale completed their victory by three wickets.

Skipper Haq said: “Con has steppedup another level with two fantastic innings in the last week. As our playercoach, he is the hardest worker at the club and this is a reward for that hard work.

“But all the players deserve credit for the way they have performed all season. It has been a squad effort and I think we have earned the title. This has been a difficult week for everyone at the club and it’s a relief to finally get the trophy.”