From the Dressing Room: Partick back to winning ways
Second XI skipper Chris Ross is our latest writer - telling the tale of Partick’s win over Stirling 2s last weekend.
Saturday saw the Partick XI travel to New Williamfield looking to stop the rot. Back to back defeats has left the perennial title challengers up against it.
The ongoing imposition of school cricket presented an opportunity for captain (and scribe) Chris Ross to assert his will over proceedings, a 1pm start negotiated on Thursday. However, Ross’ tight grip over proceedings was swiftly loosened, roadworks on the M80 contributed to a warm up which began with 7 players.
One incorrect coin toss later, and West were taking the field with 9. Despite much changing room chat about the need for a disciplined start to the innings, West decided to allow Stirling the opportunity to truly ram home their numerical advantage. After 4 overs the NWF jumbotron read 40-0, several catches had gone down and one pinky had been displaced.
At this point your scribe turned to the only man he could truly - himself. As Ross limbered up, preparing for an unheard of spell in the power play, the timeless Dave McNulty made the breakthrough, the edge gobbled up by returning wicket keeper James Scott.
Once an end was opened up the game quickly turned on its head, 40-0 after 4 became 45-3 after 10. Some lusty blows from F Amos threatened to reassert Stirling’s control, but in an attempt to prove that good players do indeed go twice, Amos was sent packing. 70-5 at Amos’ dismissal became 76 all out.
With figures of 6-23, Ross led the team off and upon entrance to the changing room swiftly started exploring options to get the match ball mounted.
At some point as the first innings chaos unfolded, West had finally got up to their full compliment of players. With Brown and Yilapavanam suitably sheepish at their late arrival.
Both however had the opportunity to make amends for their tardiness in the second innings. Ramsay however decided he would instead enjoy a longer sit down and was run out third ball, which combined with his lateness earned the young man a healthy fine.
From here Ben and Avaneesh sensibly edged West towards the target, however both fell with the finish line in sight, gracefully allowing Himansh and Rauhit a shot at glory.
Back to winning ways then for the Partick boys, but, still a significant improvement needed to get back in the title fight. A win against undefeated Whitehaugh on Saturday a must.
