From the Dressing Room: Rain, runs and frustration

A bonus write up from the 2s this week as Rory Kemp Smith reviews the Partick XI’s match with Bothwell on 30 May.

The Partick XI arrived at Hamilton Crescent to host Bothwell with the hope of bouncing back after last week's defeat to Titwood. Guided by Andrew Galloway's selection of pre-match tunes, the team headed out of the changing rooms to go through their warmup routine on a muggy and overcast morning.

After losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, debutant for the 2s Rory Kemp Smith took the new ball. Being hit for 6 with just the third ball of the day (resulting in a hefty post-match fine) symbolised much of what was to come for the first 10 overs with the Bothwell opener, Ahtsham Hafiz, reaching 50 off just 39 balls with some aggressive batting.

Then it was the turn of the leg spinners, with Innes Algie (4-38) and Jainill Vadalia (1-34) both bowling brilliantly to inspire a strong fight back from Partick. Some expert bowling from Jesse Mills (3-17) ensured the middle and lower order didn't hang around long and soon enough the score was at 172-9 before some heavy rain struck. Opting to take tea so no overs were lost, both teams returned to the field around an hour later for just one over when Jesse Mills struck again to leave Bothwell 173 all out.

Openers Matt Farr and Chris Ross made their way to the crease with the target set; 174 runs needed for the victory. Unfortunately, the innings never really got going and despite some early resistance from Chris Ross 10 (39) and Himansh Joshi 14 (40), the Bothwell bowlers made regular inroads into the batting lineup. Jesse Mills produced a solid knock with 40 off 52 balls and Innes Algie chipped in with 16 off 21 balls including a massive 6 over the bowlers head, only to get out attempting the same shot 2 balls later (escaping a post-match fine only due to his age). Wickets fell all too regularly with Partick finding themselves 140-9 with hopes resting on the number 10 and 11. Two overs later the day was done as a cringing Andrew Galloway was forced to give Santhosh Kadavath out LBW, and Partick were condemned to a second defeat in as many weeks. 

 A trip to Stirling County's 2nd XI comes next for Partick where they will hope to get back to winning ways, weather permitting of course.