WDCU Western Premiership 3 – Galloway CC Firsts versus Mearns CC 12.08.23
Against the odds Galloway CC sponsored by The Galloway Lodge managed to fulfill their penultimate home fixture of the season against newcomers Mearns CC.
Despite the terrible weather forecast and heavy morning showers the outfield and wicket were, correctly, deemed playable.
Home skipper McMenemy chose to bowl first, expecting variable bounce and movement from the greentop wicket – this proved not to be the case as the visiting openers settled in to command play, dictate terms and ultimately control the end result of the match.
An opening stand of 98 then a second wicket stand of fifty took the game away from the home side – the opening batters played well as did the wicket.
No lack of effort, as always from Galloway teams, in the field and with the ball but a Mearns total of 228 was, again, perhaps forty or fifty too many.
Wickets for Druce, McMenemy (A) and pick of the crop Sudhi with three – special mention to Domanic who although wicketless in his ten overs bowled really well.
Mearns CC ao 228 off forty overs.
Following the usual great Galloway tea’s the home team efforts with the bat began.
McMenemy (P) was first to depart following perhaps the only ball that really ‘stopped in the wicket’ ensuring an easy return caught and bowled.
Good contributions from Bradley and Goodenough followed before the partnership of the innings between Druce and the excellent Sudhi, who put on nearly eighty, began to cause some nerves and doubt in the visitors minds – before both were well-caught on the boundary……………..efforts with the bat from the rest of the Galloway eleven were, sadly, not enough as the home side finished all out for 168, sixty shy of the target.
Sudhi 62. Druce 28, Goodenough 14 – the best contributors with bat
Mentions to the visitors for their spirit and great early batsmanship and their allowance of the home sides twelfth man to take his turn at the wicket. A warming match!
The Firsts have lost all their home matches played this season – but not without effort, honesty and desire – we have one final home game to change that – next weekend home to East Kilbride CC.
Once again our thanks to Louise our scorer, those who helped prepare the grounds and wicket – and our special, ongoing, thanks to club sponsor The Galloway Lodge, Gatehouse of Fleet.