Double win as cricket club bowl them over

OBAN Cricket Club gained their first two wins of the 2016 season with recent victories at home against Callander and a week later with a win away at Innellan.

At a sun baked Taynuilt on June 5, Callander were the visitors for their first ever fixture against Oban and they chose to bat first. They made a good start with a few early boundaries but Kay Khan and Kenny MacKenzie took a wicket each to see off the opening batsmen and, after this, the Callander innings began to stall. Neill Belshaw, Tristan Carre and Andrew Leach all bowled well for Oban and helped restrict the visitors to a final total of 97, which always looked a low score on a good wicket.

This proved to be the case as Oban reached their target of 98 for the loss of only three wickets. Jack Whiteley played his best innings so far for Oban in making 23 not out and Jaheed Ahmed was also unbeaten on 30.

The following Sunday, Oban travelled to Castle Toward to play Innellan in much different conditions and again they bowled first. The home side, containing some young players turning out regularly for Greenock, looked as if they were set for a big total but solid bowling from Oban kept the pressure on and wickets began to fall.

Duncan Campbell took two wickets, Taj Islam three and Jaheed Ahmed two as Innellan closed their score on 129 for nine. In reply, Oban lost three wickets quickly but Tristan Carre and Ronnie Kelly helped steady the innings and take the score past 50. However, both of these batsmen were out soon after and the game was very much still alive when Andrew Leach joined Jaheed Ahmed at the wicket. They put together an excellent partnership of 74 to take complete control and Ahmed was only dismissed for a superb 54 when the scores were level at 129. Leach though, completed the victory for Oban, to finish a very good fortnight for the side. Scores: Callander 97, Oban 99-3. Innellan 129-9, Oban 133- 6 The match ball for Oban’s home match on June 5 was sponsored by Oban Fish and Chip Shop