The Magnificent Seven (and a half!)

Saturday saw the 2s take on Renfrew 2s at Torrance House. Unfortunately they were hampered by several unavailable players meaning that only eight players took the field after Renfrew won the toss and decided to bat. David Healy had to leave at the half way point leaving the team with only seven players.

Mann and Aftab opened the bowling for EK and bowled well despite too many wide deliveries. EK took three wickets from their opening spells before the dependable Mahmood and Ralphs came into the attack followed by Iftikhar Khan.

Regular wickets fell and EK put themselves in a great position with Renfrew at 143-8. Unfortunately for the home side Renfrew then put on a match winning partnership for the ninth wicket. Fifteen year old Kakar batted very well showing composure well beyond his tender years and he was backed up by Choudhary who hit some big blows. This partnership put on almost 100 runs and despite Usman breaking it and finishing the innings soon after Renfrew had advanced their total to 243 which was quite formidable for a team with seven players to chase.

Despite this it was a great effort by EK who bowled and fielded well despite the extra gaps. The main highlights were two stunning catches by Jono Watkins at midwicket. Both diving full length, the second one was taken one handed.

EK’s reply didn’t start well when despite hitting his first ball for a lovely four over extra cover Nick was bowled for eight and Liam soon followed nicking behind. This left EK 16-2 with only four wickets left. Then Jono buoyed by his wonderful catching took the attack to the Renfrew bowlers with several expansive shots and along with Shahid took the total into three figures but sadly he was caught just one hou away from an excellent fifty. Usman was bowled shortly after and EK were 114-4 a long way short.

Skipper Mann then came in to join Mahmood who was still going well and battled away to repel the Renfrew attack as Shahid took on the bulk of the run scoring. The score moved past 150 but Shahid was trapped in front and with him went any chance of a shock EK win. Mann was then caught trying to hit some late consolation runs and the innings closed on 163, a 74 run defeat.

So another frustrating Saturday for the 2s but on this occasion it was done to lack of players rather than the performance of the team. Next up is a trip to Paisley to face Kelburne.