Smith’s five-wicket burst wins it for West as Greenock collapse again

Gavin Smith, the West of Scotland pace bowler, produced a devastating spell to trigger a second consecutive batting collapse by Gree no ck and clinch a thrilling win for the Partick side at Hamilton Crescent.

Smith’ s seven for 15 included an astonishing burst of five wickets in five balls as Greenock, on course to surpass West’s modest 116, lost their final six wickets for just 12 runs.

His effort drew warm praise from former Scotland star John B lain who brought Smith through the ranks while coaching at West a decade ago.

Blain said: “Gav is a genuine strike bowler. He’s one of these guys who when he gets it right b owls sides out and clearly that’s what he has done against Greenock.

“I’m really pleased for him because he is a genuinely talented bowl er. When I first came across him he was a bit disillusioned with the game and was thinking of packing it in. But something clicked between us and he started to enjoy the game again and really work at it.”

Earlier, Saurabh Bandekar took six for 28 as the Glenpark men claimed the initiative, while Rob Corner top-scored with 29 as West’s 116 represented a recovery from 48 for six.

Ban de kart hen appeared to be leading Greeno ck to a morale-boosting win with 39 until Smith, having claimed four wickets at the end of his previous over, returned to have the Indian pro caught by Lucas Farndale from the first delivery of his next over.

That was the final straw for Greenock who found themselves all out for 94, having been in control at 82 for four.

Smith believes West’s prospects are bright, saying :“I think everyone at West feels we should be challenging for silverware this year.”

Defeat was another crushing blow for Greeno ck who seven days earlier had slipped from 41 for two to 50 all out at Drumpellier.

Elsewhere, Fraser Macdonald continued his impressive early season form as Prestwick secured a second win at the expense of newcomers East Kilbride. Macdonald hit a composed 112 from 157 balls as the Ayrshiremen posted 243 for eight at Henry Thow Oval before Sa chin Chaudhary’ s four for 27 clinched a 56-run win, despite Moneeb Iqbal (43) and Umair Khan (41) battling bravely.

Ski pp erRiyaadH enry claimed four for 13 and Haroon Tahir three for 12 as champions Ferguslie bounced back from last week’s defeat against Uddingston to secure a 58-run win over Drumpellier at Meikleriggs.

Leaders Uddingston proved too strong for Stirling at Bothwell Castle, Hari Singh top - scoring with 75no as the hosts posted 217 for seven before completing a 34-run win.

Lesibo Ngoepe’s debut halfcentur y was not enough for Poloc to claim a rare win over local rivals Clydesdale at Tit wood. Instead, the South African’ s attractive 68, featuring eight boundaries and a maximum, was eclipsed by Scotland’s Richie Berrington, whose 82 helped Dale overhaul the visitors ’200 with three wickets in hand.