The Roon’d-up: Super Saturday as West seniors seal clean sweep
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.
West’s Saturday sides all won on an impressive first weekend of the 2025 cricket season.
John Oliver (7-31), Avaneesh Yilapavanam (50) and Larvet Masunda (80) celebrate McCrea FS West of Scotland’s opening day win at Irvine.
McCrea FS West of Scotland opened their Western Premiership Two campaign in style, securing a commanding 160-run victory over Irvine. Overseas debutant Larvet Masunda top-scored with a quickfire 80 off 76 balls, including three sixes. He was well-supported by youngster Avaneesh Yilapavanam, who marked a debut appearance for the 1st XI with a composed half century. West closed their innings on 268 for 9 from 50 overs. In response, Irvine struggled against the returning John Oliver, who ripped through their middle order with a sensational 7 for 31. Number nine batsman Safi showed some resistance with 19, but eventually fell to Jolly, as Irvine were dismissed well short of the target.
It was a closer contest in Glasgow, where Partick XI edged out Bothwell by 11 runs. Chris Ross led the scoring with 27, while West debutant Zeyd Clayburn added a patient 21. A last wicket stand of 20 between Graeme Etheridge and Ajay Rawat provided some vital runs at the death. Kamaraj starred with the ball for Bothwell, taking 4 wickets. Chasing 162, Kamaraj almost turned the game with a valiant 74 off 86 balls. However, a disciplined bowling effort saw Gav Smith claim 4 for 31 and Clayburn 3 for 30, and some excellent fielding - including a tumbling catch from Ross - sealed a narrow win in front of a huge crowd enjoying the sun.
Meanwhile in Stirling, Hamilton Crescent claimed a convincing 95-run victory over Woodfarm. Ahmed Rehan Mirza struck the club’s first century of the summer with a run-a-ball 107, supported by an unbeaten 57 from Himansh Joshi. Set a target of 275 from 40 overs, Woodfarm were bowled out for 179 despite a fighting 69 from Ul Abadeen. The wickets were shared evenly, with Zazai, Kadavath, Sufi, and Vadaila all taking two apiece to round off a strong all-round performance.
Maryam Faisal celebrates a 50 on her way to 92 in West Women's 2025 opener at Carlton.
On Sunday, an injury sadly drew the Women’s 1st XI’s game at Carlton to a premature end. However, that was not before a superb 92 from 78 balls for Maryam Faisal was backed by 46 from India Harrison which saw West’s Women reach 199/3 off their 30 overs. Abbi Aitken-Drummond scored an unbeaten 53 for the home side before the game was called off.
Meanwhile the West/Clydesdale Women’s 2nd XI won their game at Stenhousemuir by 30 runs. A Naomi Wormald 30 (retired) and 22 for Poppy Winch took the away side to 115/1 before Stenhousemuir reached 85/7 from their 20 overs.
Finally, the Sunday XI fell 10 runs short in their chase of 135 at home to a Milngavie XI. Mamoon Hussain starred for the Roons, taking three wickets with the ball and scoring 74 with the bat, but it wasn’t quite enough to see them home.
Coming up this midweek, the Partick XI face GHK in the Western Cup on Tuesday 6 May before the West of Scotland XI host Drumpellier on Wednesday evening. Both fixtures starting at 6pm.
