Weirs Lose in Nail-biting Finish at Stenny

By Colin Baxter

Weirs lost a very close game at Stenhousemuir. But there were wins for the 2nd XI and Sunday team at the weekend.

Weirs went to Stenhousemuir for an important game, needing a win to steer clear of the bottom of the First Division table. Weirs batted first and made a decent start, Ibby Akram and Qasim Sheikh putting on 34 for the first wicket. But the fall of the first wicket was the queue for a terrible collapse with 10 wickets falling for just 33 runs. Stenny pro Rushdie Jappie took 6 wickets as Weirs were bundled out for just 67.

On most days 67 wouldn't be close to a defensible target but Irfan Shah almost proved otherwise with a brilliant spell of bowling, taking 6 for 7 off 10 overs. Thanks to Irfan Stenhousemuir were in all kinds of trouble at 46 for 8 but crucially Jappie was still there. Weirs had had the chance to remove Jappie when he was on just 2 but he was dropped and that proved crucial as he steered Stenhousemuir close to the victory target. Jappie was finally out with the score on 63, Stenhousemuir needing 5 runs to win with just 1 wicket remaining. With the score on 66 Weirs thought they'd bowled the last Stenhousemuir batsman to win it but the umpire adjudged that the ball had rebounded off the keeper's pads and on to the stumps. The batsman stayed in and a few balls later the winning runs were hit. Stenhousemuir won by 1 wicket.

It was an agonizing loss for Weirs, made all the more agonizing by the news later that St Michaels had won against Glasgow Accies. The First Division relegation issue is very much alive.

In the 2nd XI game at Albert Park, visitors the Tryst batted first. Albert Park steadily chipped away at the Tryst batting reducing them to 94 for 8. But a good 9th wicket stand between Chougule (who finished on 55 not out) and Naik took the Tryst to a competitive 140 for 8 off 40 overs. Rehan Choudhury took 3 for 26 for Albert Park.

Albert Park made decent progress in pursuit of 141 to win but every time they looked like they were really getting in control a wicket fell. Chris Smith and Player-Convenor Craig Greenwood both scored 29 but when Craig was out, Albert Park were 5 down and there were still 40 runs to win. But the lower and middle order held their nerve, thanks particularly to some good hitting from Abid Raza and some solid defence from Sheroz Akram Albert Park got over the line, getting 141 for the loss of 8 wickets.

In the Sunday game, Weirs were away to St Ninians at Prestwick. Chasing 231 to win, Weirs got there comfortably, for the loss of 5 wickets with plenty of overs to spare.

Updated 01:40 - 2 Sep 2019 by Colin Baxter

Where next?

Both Saturday Games Rained Off For the second week running, both the 1st and 2nd XI games that were scheduled for Saturday 26th fell victim to the weather.
Weirs Sixes: A Little Soggy but Still a Great Day Despite disappointing weather the Bill Greenwood Six-a-Sides went ahead on Sunday and were enjoyable as always.

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Results
la 31 elo
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1st XI St Michaels
League C – C
C
la 24 elo
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1st XI Helensburgh
League 55/2 – 54
W
la 17 elo
a
1st XI Irvine
League 92 – 93/6
W

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