Awais blasts scintillating century to beat Drumpellier and the weather

Mo Awais lit up a dull and damp day with a sparkling century as Uddingston stole a march on their Western Premier rivals with a derby win over Drumpellier in the only match to beat the weather.

Bothwell Castle did not escape the rain altogether but between the showers Uddingston, inspired by Western Warriors batsman Awais, did enough to secure a nine-wicket victory on DLS.

Chasing a revised target after restricting Drumps to 136-7 from 45 overs, Awais notched a brilliant unbeaten 113 as the home side raced to victory on 145-1 after 26 overs. Skipper Bryan Clarke said: “Awais had a really tough season last year and has come out firing so far this year. For me he’s a oneoff – certainly in the west. He is a unique talent who offers us so much as he showed on Saturday.”

New acquisition Niall Alexander, the former Scotland U19 and Dumfries pace bowler, marked his competitive debut with 4-33 as the Drumps batsmen toiled.

Following the early loss of skipper Gordon Shaw, bowled by Alexander, they were given hope through a solid half-century stand between Jordan Pryde (27) and Graeme Mclaren (22).

But, when they departed in quick succession, Chris Keltie found himself fighting a lone battle with an unbeaten 27 as his team-mates succumbed to Alexander and the rest of the home attack.

In the only other match to get underway, Prestwick appeared to be on course for victory after dismissing Stirling for 67 at the Henry Thow Oval. But rain denied the hosts the chance to complete the job.

Despite little prospect of play at Titwood, the players of Clydesdale and Ferguslie turned up to observe a minute’s silence in tribute to their former player and coach Con de Lange who died earlier this month from a brain tumour. It was a scene which was repeated around the country in memory of one of the most popular figures in the Scottish game.