Senior and junior stars combine for stunning partnership as Clydesdale kick-start campaign

Senior and junior combined to stunning effect as Clydesdale kick-started their Western Premier campaign with an emphatic derby win over Poloc at Titwood.

With an opening day defeat to Ferguslie and a washout on week two, the 2015 and 2016 champions have had a disappointing start to the season.

However, they sprung to life impressively as Richie Berrington, pictured, Scotland’s record cap holder, and national U17 star Angus Guy staged a superb 160-run partnership which proved decisive.

Berrington’s 80 was upstaged by the teenager who made 90 as Dale recovered from 16 for two to post an imposing 251 for seven. Scotland U19 pace bowler Ihtisham Malik then stalled the Poloc reply with two early wickets. Malik went on to claim 3-27, Hamid Mahmood 4-35 while Zeeshan Bashir conceded just 16 runs from his ten overs and dismissed Poloc’s top scorer, Coenie Nel, for 67.

Clydesdale manager Colin Mitchell said: “It was a dominant performance. Angus and Richie set up our innings with maturity and class before Ihty knocked Poloc off their stride with two new-ball wickets.”

If Dale were dominant, Ferguslie were on fire in making it three wins from three with a 173-run demolition of Ayr at Meikleriggs. Michael English, Elliot Moses and James Cook made half-centuries in a total of 242 for five before Hamza Tahir claimed three wickets without conceding a run as Ayr were dismissed for 69.

Ross Lyons helped himself to 6-21 as Uddingston claimed a first win of the season against Stirling at Bothwell Castle. Lyons’ heroics helped bundle Stirling out for 127 before Uddingston knocked off the runs with two wickets down. Champions Prestwick also broke their duck with an impressive six-wicket win over Dumfries at the Henry Thow Oval where Sachin Chaudhary’s 4-13 did most to restrict the visitors to 168 for eight despite Scott Beveridge’s battling 59no. Mitchell Rao’s 45no led the reply.

West of Scotland continued their promising start to life in the top flight with a fine 52-run win over Greenock.