Huge Loss for Kingholm

On Saturday without injured Captain Lumb and best bowler Kenny Wilson, new skipper Davy Fallas took to the field with a strong batting side against fellow relegation strugglers Glasgow Ansar. The away team batted first and were restricted to a very achievable total of 144 all out in 44 overs.

All the bowlers contributed well, particularly Chris Brockwell who managed superb figures of 4 for 35 off 15 overs. Ashlyn Pillay having his first bowl for the club also impressed with leg spin and took 3 for 43 off 10 overs and Douglas Sloan worked tirelessly taking 2 for 46 from his 15 overs. The fielding and catching were excellent, particularly Sloan and Davy Armstrong who took four catches between them.

With nine established batsmen at the team’s disposal and 56 overs to get the total what followed was a total humiliation. Brockwell and Ben Rayen, perhaps the club’s two best batsmen at the moment, started streakily getting to 28 before Rayen was dismissed lbw for 9. One run later Brockwell edged a straight ball to the keeper and sportingly walked.

With Pillay and Ahsunal Alam out cheaply after playing poor shots the score was stuck on 42-4. The only bright spell was a partnership of 35 between Ccott McCann and Alan Cringean who showed the others how to apply themselves for a spell. With the score on 77-4 both fell quickly and when Gass, Taylor, Fallas and Armstrong followed in quick succession the innings closed on 86 with poor Douglas Sloan stranded at the other end.

This was a huge loss for Kingholm who are trying to secure their Division IV status. On this form the drop looms large. The John Henderson and Sons Man of the Match Award went to Chris Brockwell for a splendid bowling spell which should have won the game.

30/06/06

India Palms' Farrukh Serves Up Kingholm Victory

Last Sunday the visitors to the Kingholm were Kilmarnock second string Kirkstyle who are currently leading Western Union Division IV. Short of players due to call offs and the day trip to the England - New Zealand one day international, Captain Mike Lumb, with only one front line bowler won the toss and chose to field on a breezy day against a side who had scored 330 runs the previous week.

Fielding at least three first team players in Aleem, who scored 133 for Kilmarnock the previous week, Horne and Hamilton, Kirkstyle would have hoped for a big score but they were to get a shock as they were reduced to 50 for 5 by the wayward bowling of Lumb and the accurate pace of frontline bowler Farrukh.

First Lumb had danger man Aleem caught by a stunning one handed effort from Kevin Kirkpatrick at point for one and then opener Saeed fell lbw for 17. A sharp one handed catch by wicketkeeper Duncan Muir down the leg side off the bat handle was amazingly not given by the umpire and this sparked a confrontation which soured relations between players.

However Farrukh, playing in only his second senior game for the club due to work commitments, bowled a magnificent line and backed up by stand in wicketkeeper Muir, just out of hospital, accounted for best batter Rehman 17 with a lovely catch behind. Gall was caught by Ahsunal Alam off Farrukh and after Alam also caught McKay off Lumb for nought, five batters were back in the shed for 50.

With Lumb tiring, Farrukh carried the attack onward and the introduction of Chris Brockwell brought much needed solidity to the bowling. At a time when the game could have swung away from Kingholm, Brockwell and Davy Armstrong steadied the ship. Between them they bowled the next 20 overs conceding only 50 runs. Armstrong with new found pace in his bowling delivered a particularly accurate 15 overs, taking 1 wicket for 42 runs and Brockwell completed 11 overs for 31 runs. First team batters Horne and Hamilton batted to the end and took the total to 174 for 6 off the 50 allotted overs.

With much tension in the air after earlier events openers Duncan Muir and Chris Brockwell strode to the wicket in determined mood and raced to 67 off the first 14 overs. Then Brockwell was bowled playing across a straight ball for 25 from first team swing specialist Aleem, who was virtually unplayable at times.

Alam was caught without scoring and McCann and Gass both fell to the superb Aleem. However Muir, now barely able to walk due to his wicketkeeping exploits soldiered on and was joined in the middle by his friend Farrukh took the game away from Kirkstyle again in a 30 run partnership at a difficult time in the game.

With Muir run out for 53 on 139-5 it was left to Farrukh to save the day. Having given Captain Lumb instruction to block pace bowler Hamilton out with any body part available, Farrukh sealed the victory with a series of crashing boundaries which will have the first team selectors watching his work schedule.

Thanks also to fine fielding efforts from Tom Kennedy-Moffat and Kevin Kirkpatrick and controlled bowling from Brockwell and Armstrong, it was the better team effort which won the day. The Bridge Veterinary Clinic Glasgow Road Man of the Match went to Farrukh for his all round performance

16/06/08

Kingholm's Top Score Surpassed

On a hot humid day at Cumbernauld, Kingholm captain Mike Lumb lost the toss and with it the best chance of salvaging something from this away game.
Put in to bat, Lumb and new opening partner John Mutthiah took the score to 35 before Mutthiah was bowled for 11 in the 14th over.

Next in was Siva who looked comfortable at the crease and with Lumb the score moved steadily to 80 before the Captain was out lbw for 24 in the 28th over. After Siva was run out for 15 attempting an impossible two with the score on 87, Kenny Wilson and Alex Taylor, Kingholm’s best batters this season set about the Cumbernauld bowlers, adding 60 runs in just 14 overs and taking the score to 150 before Taylor was bowled by Reid for 21.

A late flurry of powerful shots by Wilson and Davey Fallas took the final score to a season’s best 178 for 4 off the 50 overs with Wilson undefeated on 42 and Fallas 16.

The optimism soon disappeared as it became clear straight away that the bowling and fielding side of the operation lacked sharpness and energy. Cumbernauld openers McAteer and Begay raced to 41 off the first 12 overs as Douglas Sloan, returning from injury struggled to find his rhythm. Kenny Wilson, tired from his batting exertions had a couple of good lbw shouts turned down and was shocked as some balls were dubiously called wides.

Numerous catches went down in the field and runs seemed easily found by the batters. The first wicket fell at 75 when opener Begay was bowled by Lumb and the only respite for Kingholm was a better second spell from Sloan, who got 2 wickets for his efforts. Armstrong’s bowling was a further improvement but, with the bowlers going for four an over, the target was reached with 3 overs to spare. Opener McAteer was dropped as many as seven times to finish on 90 not out.

Kingholm would have had a two points for a losing draw from this game if batting second and definitely a win with an extra front line bowler. The Ness, Priestly and Balfour Man of the Match award went to Kenny Wilson for his excellent knock and for managing 15 overs in the heat with little luck. Unfortunately at the moment he is having to do too much to shore up his team’s defences.

10/06/08

Gass On Fire for Kingholm

For the first time this Season Kingholm started their home game with 11 adults last Saturday and, having lost the toss again, were put into bat against Top of the Table Garscube.

Mike Lumb and Ben Rayen survived the hostile opening attack of First XI bowler Vimal and partner Riaz. Rayen curbed his usual aggression and, very much the senior partner, made his way confidently to 27 before being caught in the 21st over with the score on 46. Lumb followed for 12 with the score on 56 - bowled while playing a tired shot around a straight ball.

Next began a confident partnership between Kenny Wilson and debutant Michael Gass, another classy batter from Irving Meadow in the Midweek League. They both stroked the ball around well taking the score confidently to 92 before Wilson, who had taken guard well outside his crease, was ajudged lbw on the front foot for 21. Gass soon followed five runs later for an impressive 23.

After Davey Fallas had gone for 4 with the score on 106, the innings was saved by the best partnership of the day between Alex Taylor and Derek Rankine. They added 40 further runs at a crucial time, Taylor again showing a new-found maturity in his role as the class act of the middle order. Both batsmen fell in their twenties but by then the job was done and the Kingholm innings closed on 150-9 after a well struck boundary from Tom Kennedy-Moffat.

Derek Rankine was only available to play at home, so Kingholm were able to bowl him and Kenny Wilson in tandem from the start. Backed up by lightning fielding from Taylor and Gass, they bowled tight lines at all times, and soon the Garscube upper order were reduced to 36-6 from the first 30 overs, Rankine taking four and Wilson two respectively.

Once the opening bowlers were gone the game briefly swayed the other way as Holland and Liddel smashed Kennedy-Moffat and Armstrong out of the attack in a flurry of aggressive strokes. With the game in the balance, Lumb bowled himself, and eliminated Holland to a brilliant catch from keeper Fallas, bravely standing up to the wicket.

The game looked like heading for a draw as the Garscube batters hung on at 80-7 when up stepped Michael Gass, willing to give it all or nothing. He bowled four overs of classy outswing taking two wickets for 2 runs, as he ripped out the off stump of best batter Vimal and removed stubborn no 10 Lloyd. Even then the game could have finished in a draw but justice was done when Severin pushed forward off Lumb and was snapped up brilliantly by a one-handed catch from Alex Taylor.

Relief was felt all round the Kingholm as the first real victory of the season was recorded. The Alex Wilson TV Man of the Match Award went to Michael Gass for his all round contribution, which hopefully will be the first of many this season.

03/06/08

Weakened Kingholm Defeated Again

On a fine bank holiday weekend Kingholm, weakened again by injuries and player unavailability, fielded a team with three under 15’s and five over 40’s against Hillhead Second XI Hughenden, who were helped by a scattering of First XI players. Captain Lumb lost the toss and his team were sent in to bat on a treacherous wicket of uneven bounce against pacey opening bowler Horn. They got off to a bad start when opener Ben Rayen was run out for 1 after a mix up with Colin Taylor over a single with the score on 5.

Veteran Taylor then repaired some of the damage in a stand of 20 with Kenny Wilson before he edged a ball from Yadav to slip having made 10. Next to the crease, Davey Fallas was bizarrely dismissed for 6 by a beamer that dipped to clip his bails at the last minute and appeared aggrieved that ‘no ball’ was not called.

This brought Mike Lumb to the wicket, out of form with the bat and nursing a broken thumb. He combined with Kenny Wilson to take the score to 51 before Wilson was bowled for 22. Colin Taylor’s son Alex, who has been making runs in the Dumfries Midweek League, then took the attack to the Hughenden bowlers with several powerful drives against accurate bowling. This was the best stand of the day and took the score to 82 before Taylor fell caught to his first bad shot of the day for 23. Lumb followed soon after when he was lbw for 14.

The last 5 wickets produced only 10 runs, only Dylan Muir providing brief respite with 4, and playing a powerful hook shot when the Hillhead captain dared to bring the field up. However the game was virtually over when Kingholm were skittled for 93 in the 44th over.

With opening bowlers Douglas Sloan injured and Mark Pagan in the First XI, bowling options were limited, as has been the case in earlier games. Wilson bowled 15 overs straight through for 36 runs, taking the wicket of Horn (Snr) with the score on 57. Tom Kennedy-Moffat bowled better than previously, his five overs going for 16 runs and an easy catch dropped off his bowling. Lumb bowled seven overs for19, bowling opener Slater for 28 with the score on 74.

Hughenden passed the total with ease for only 2 wickets in the 32nd over. The stark reality is that, even in Western Union Division 4, it is difficult to accommodate three juniors when senior players are not making runs and you come up against teams prepared to use First XI players in Second XI games. Kingholm can be proud of their spirited performance today, particularly the juniors who fielded well and faced some fast bowling.

The A.C. Eggleton and Partners Man of the Match Award went to Alex Taylor, who looked by far the best batter in either team. His team mates hope he has the enthusiasm to come back and play regularly this year.

27/05/08

Scott Saves Kingholm Blushes

On a showery, humid day, Kingholm won the toss and elected to field against Vale of Leven at Alexandria last Saturday.

Wilson began as usual, bowling with control and stealth but without much luck. His bowling partner Kennedy-Moffat was inconsistent in direction, keeping wicketkeeper Fallas busy down the legside. Annnan's Scott McCann, out of practice, came on and almost decapitated the batsmen more than once so came off after 2 overs. Wilson then struck, bowling Dalby for 6 with the score on 30.

Captain Mike Lumb replaced McCann at the top end and bowled in tandem with the miserly Wilson. Short of bowling options he captured 3 wickets, bowling opener Lawrence for 13, and dismissing the other opener Bates for 38 from a stunning catch by Craig McCann.

The experienced Davy Armstrong bowled tirelessly for 15 overs to finish with 1-63 but the star of the show was Wilson whose 15 overs cost only 22 runs. McAdam, dropped twice, finished on 67 not out and the Vale of Leven innings closed on 173 for 5 in their alotted 50 overs.

Kingholm’s reply started shakily with opener Taylor bowled for nought, closely followed by Craig McCann who was caught unluckily by a stunning one handed catch for 5 when looking comfortable. Opener Shiva was caught for 9 and when Kenny Wilson was also caught for 6 the innings was in trouble at 24-4.

The innings of the day was provided by the rusty Scott McCann who after his bowling disappointment saved Kingholm’s blushes with a commanding 38, eventually being caught and bowled with the score on 80. Other batsmen came and went quickly and the innings closed on 86 in the 32nd over.

Kingholm will need to improve on this showing if they are to avoid the drop to Division Five. Two sunday games offer some respite with other players available.

The Westscott Insurance Partners Man of the Match Award went to the consistent Kenny Wilson whose 1-22 from 15 overs showed considerable control when all about him did not.

Scores: Vale of Leven 173 - 5 (McAdam 67 not out) : Kingholm 86 all out (S. McCann 38)

16/05/08

Encouraging Kingholm Performance

Last saturday, a new look Kingholm (St Michael's Second XI) comprised of a mix of older players and three under 15s travelled to Langloan in Coatbridge for their first game of the season.

After losing the toss they were put in to bat on a dull day and got off to a creditable start with a thirty partnership from veteran batsman Colin Taylor and new opener Ben Rayen. Rayen departed for 7 caught behind with the score on 30 and Lumb was run out soon after, attempting a quick single and foiled by direct hit.

Taylor,58, coaxed out of retirement because of player shortage combined well with best batter Wilson and they took the score to 56 for 2 before Taylor was run out for a brave 14. Wilson went soon after for 26,walking after a faint edge to the keeper. Other batsmen came and went in fast succession. Only Davey Fallas made any impact with a typically furious 19 before holing out to midwicket.

The innings ended on 95 with two under 13s, Dylan Muir (2) and Connor Bowie not at the crease. By then spinner Iqbal had taken 6 wickets.

In reply, Langloan got off to a poor start, opener Stewart being bowled by Kenny Wilson for nought. After a typically accurate spell of 8 overs from Wilson in which he only conceded 2 runs, Langloan seized control of the game with the help of batsman Stevenson, obviously a class well above this league. He passed his fifty and Langloan reached Kingholm's total with only 2 wickets down.

Due to absences and senior bowlers being drafted into first eleven service the team was severely weakened but played in good spirit and enjoyed the day. With many new players finding their feet much encouragement can be taken from this performance. Man of the match went to Colin Taylor for a dogged innings in difficult conditions, showing the value of keeping your wicket to less experienced teammates.

The match ball was sponsored by Thomson Roddick Scottish Auctions.

Scores: Kingholm 95 all out (Wilson 26) : Langloan 97 - 2

08/05/08

St Michael`s Cricket Club Website by Colin Taylor

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