Cricket: Fauldhouse remain on top

Jul 2 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

FAULDHOUSE Cricket Club maintained their place as leaders of the East of Scotland Division One Championship by beating Edinburgh Academicals at their Eastfield home ground.

The home team batted first against a good bowling attack, and rattled up 219 from their 50 overs.

Derek Allen, smashing his way to a very entertaining 81, was given solid support by S Ali (52) and aŠhard-hitting David Allan (45).

Fauldhouse then put in a hard-working performance in the field with the team’s youngsters rising to the plate.

The side from Edinburgh were eventually bowled out for 207 in the 48th over.

Some pressure catches being taken in the outfield, some decent bowling on show from R McDonald (2-30) J Bailey (2-29) and a star finish by the young unflappable J Mildren (4-22) wrapped up a very important win for the club.

Next week Fauldhouse take on Carlton at home with a 1pm start.

ONLY two of three West Lothian County Cricket Association XIs played their league matches last Saturday in the SNCL and East League.

The third XI match against SMRH third XI at Inverleith was cancelled because of rain at lunchtime which made play impossible.

County’s first XI travelled to Glasgow to play Weirs’ first XI at Albert Park in the SNCL Second Division match.

County captain Andy Raven won the toss and decided to bat first.

Corne van Wyk and Jimmy McOscar put on 34 for the first wicket while Kruger van Wyk and David Drylie added 47 for the third wicket.

Kruger Van Wyk and Feraz Asghar combined to put on 27 runs.

There was a seventh wicket partnership of 64 between two old stagers of County, David Fleming and Andrew Hamilton.

After 50 overs County’s innings closed on 192 for seven.

Kruger finished top scorer with 45, while Hamilton had his highest first XI score for a long time with 35 not out, including one hook for six and two fours; Fleming managed 28, Feraz Asghar 12, Jimmy McOscar 11 and Corne Van Wyk 10.

Weirs’ bowler, R Young, had figures of 10 overs, two maidens and three wickets, for 20 runs.

After tea Weirs set about chasing the 193 runs required.

R Murray and N Barnett put on a partnership of 115 for the first wicket before Barnett was caught by David Fleming off Fahad Ahmed for 44.

When the score reached 141 Murray fell LBW to Ahmed for 64, including 11 fours.

S Butt was caught by Corne van Wyk off Ahmed for 21 when the score stood at 159.

County only managed to claim one other wicket at 185 when I Akram was caught by Fleming off Feraz Asghar for 19.

C Greenwood, six not out, and I Shah, four not out, saw Weirs through to victory at 193 for four in the 41st over.

Fahad Ahmed bowled three for 41 and Feraz Asghar one for 17. Weirs won the match by six wickets and collect 10 points for their victory, with County left pointless for the second week.

Last Thursday evening at Boghall County third XI hosted a Westquarter 20/20 XI in a 20/20 friendly match.

County batted first, scoring 175 for one in their 20 overs, with Colin Strachan 89 not out, Noel Dally 57 not out and Grant Raven 10.

After the break Westquarter batted and scored 159 for six in their 20 overs, with S Farooqui hitting 60, H Mumtaz 25 and P Hamilton 21. Hamad Ahmed took three wickets for 18 runs as County won the match by 16 runs.

This Saturday afternoon West Lothian County First XI travel to Edinburgh to play Edinburgh First XI in the SNCL Second Division Match at Leith Academy playing fields, with a 1pm start.

County’s second XI host Falkland’s second XI at Boghall in the East League Third Division match, with a 1pm start.

County thirds also travel to Edinburgh to play Edinburgh thirds at the Meadows in the East League Division Seven match, with a 1.30pm start.

On Sunday afternoon West Lothian County Sunday XI host a Biggar Cricket Club Friendly XI in a 40-overs friendly, with a 1.30pm start.