Renfrew’s second eleven recorded their second consecutive win and fourth of the season in a rain affected match at Glenpark, Greenock, on Saturday (3rd June).
Having returned to winnings ways the previous Saturday at Stenhousemuir, the Royal Burgh second string were determined to continue their good run and climb the WDCU Reserve League First Division table at the same time.
So, when Deanpark’s skipper, Taral Khasiya, won the toss he had no hesitation in electing to field first, in the hope of restricting the home side to a manageable score to chase.
However, Glenpark openers Peter Robertson and Sehmat Pandher had other ideas and added 38 runs for the first wicket in just over 8 overs, before Pandher was well caught at point by Rafay Khan for 14 from the bowling of Sahil Chopra.
When Ewan Stewart also fell to Chopra eleven runs later, caught behind by Andy Mullen, a slight wobble could almost be detected.
Chiraginder Pandher came to the crease at this point and tried to regain the initiative with an innings of 25 from 26 balls, but with the score on 79 he was clean bowled by Rafay Khan, who followed this up three balls later by doing likewise to Fraser Godsman.
Tom Forrest then shared a fifth wicket partnership of 28 with his captain Peter Robertson before the opener fell to a catch by Parvase Majeed from the bowling of Uday Padia for 37, which turned out to be the top score in the innings.
From 107 for 5, the home sides last five wickets only realised a further 58 runs from 14 overs, as Tom Forrest (18), Lukas Fischer-Keogh (15) and Alistair Calder (11) all made starts but failed to go on to post anything substantial.
Their final total of 165 all out in 45.5 overs would have been somewhat disappointing for the home side.
For Deanpark, Sahil Chopra was the standout bowler with 4 for 33 from his 10 overs, while Rafay Khan (2 for 48), Taral Khasiya (1 for 35), Uday Padia (1 for 22), Parvase Majeed (1 for 4) and Vamsi Reddy (1 for 1) all made important contributions.
In reply Deanpark got off to good start as Shahid Chaudhry and Muhaymen Majeed added 38 for the first wicket in 5.1 overs before Majeed was bowled by Jamie Nowell for 13.
Ten runs later his opening partner Chaudhry also fell to the bowling of Jamie Nowell, caught by Fraser Godsman for 26 from 12 balls faced, to reduce the visitors to 48 for 2.
Sahil Chopra and Taral Khasiya, brought some momentum to the innings and took the total to 76, with a partnership of 28 before Chopra was caught by Tom Forrest from the bowling of Sehmat Pandher for 8.
The outcome though was thrown in to doubt when captain Taral Khasiya (25) and Parvase Majeed were both stumped by Lukas Fischer-Keogh from the bowling of Ewan Stewart within 13 runs of each other to reduce the visitors to 124 for 5.
Unfortunately for Glenpark, the drinks break at 25 overs was accompanied by persistent rain and no further play was possible, leaving Deanpark on 126 for 5 and 31 runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern required run rate of 95.
For the home side Jamie Nowell (2 for 37), Ewan Stewart (2 for 27) and Sehmat Pandher (1 for 43) shared the wickets to fall but ultimately the visitors left with maximum points.
They will be looking to continue their winning run next Saturday when they entertain the Stirling County second eleven, Williamfield, at the Deanpark Oval.