The Roon’d-up: Cup progress as 1st XI secure back-to-back wins
The Roon’d-Up is our regular summary of events on the field at West over the 2025 season. We’ll cover all the results as well as outstanding and notable performances throughout the season to keep you up to date on the latest goings on at Hamilton Crescent.
It was a weekend to remember for McCrea FS West of Scotland as they secured both league and cup wins.
On Sunday, they defeated Premiership Two rivals Stirling County by 60 runs to progress to the second round of the Scottish Cup. Opener Sam Page scored an impressive 83 supported by 53 from wicketkeeping overseas Larvet Masunda as West posted 194. Having joined each other at the crease at 32/3, the pair enjoyed a 131 run 4th wicket partnership as West battled back to set an tricky score for the hosts. In response, Stirling were bowled out for 134, with Manav Malik top-scoring on 41. West's bowlers were outstanding, with spin dominating as both Anthony Hulatt and the returning Callum Dutia claimed three wickets, while Dave McNulty and MS Dhillon took two apiece in a strong all-round display.
Larvet Masunda (53) defends as Sam Page (83) watches on for McCrea FS West of Scotland.
Just 24 hours earlier the 1st XI had also defeated East Kilbride by 103 runs at Hamilton Crescent. Batting contributions came throughout the order, with Joe Carrasco (41) impressing at number three in just his second league appearance, and Avaneesh Yilapavanam continuing his fine form with a patient 40. Useful late runs from McNulty (31), Hulatt (14), and stand-in skipper Shepperson (10) pushed West to 209/9. East Kilbride lost regular wickets in reply with Pietersen showing the strongest resistance with a quickfire 35 from 39 balls. But it was West’s bowlers who took the headlines as John Oliver added two more scalps to his tally after last week’s seven-wicket haul, and John Strachan closed out the innings with a superb 3-9.
Meanwhile there was disappointment for West Women’s XI in the Cricket Scotland Women's Premier League as they suffered an eight wicket defeat at home to Lomond Lynx. 30 runs from just 25 balls for Lauren Payas and a watchful 21 from 53 balls from Laavanya Varadarajan saw West reach 138/9 from their 30 overs. But it wasn’t enough as Lynx Emma Halliwell (52) and Bronwyn Sumption (35) took the points for the Fife side.
In Ayr, the Partick XI were defeated by five wickets against Cambusdoon. Despite an early injury, Matt Farr battled to score 40, while Ajay Rawat added late fireworks to help Partick post 221/9. However, Cambusdoon chased it down with 6.4 overs to spare, with half-centuries from Richard Borland and Neil Logan. Bowlers Gav Smith and Graeme Etheridge picked up two wickets each, but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat.
Zeyd Clayburn and Matt Farr mark Matt’s 40 for the Partick XI.
The Hamilton Crescent XI (3rd XI) were also on the losing side in their Western Championship Two fixture, falling by 78 runs to Renfrew 2s. Early breakthroughs from Naweed Zazai and Santosh Kadavath, along with a three-wicket haul from Mamoon Hussain, limited Renfrew to 203/7. In reply, James Scott (30) and Kadavath (19) showed resistance, but West’s innings ended on 125 all out.
The Sunday XI put in a spirited performance at Mearns, posting an impressive 170 despite being two players short. Rising star Athsham Hussain led the way with a superb 60 not out, supported by solid contributions from Anubhav Joshi (28) and Nakul Jain (23). However, despite their efforts and Abdul Hameed’s first wickets for the club, they were eventually beaten by five wickets as Mearns chased down the target.
Athsham Hussain celebrates his 60* with teammate Mamoon Hussain.
Coming up this midweek, the Partick XI return to Western Cup action away at Anniesland on Tuesday night with a 6pm start.
