As we wave goodbye to May, there's no denying the buzz around Renfrew Cricket Club. Rain may have tried to dampen the action, but it couldn’t stop the energy, effort, and excellence of our three senior sides. With all teams sitting inside the top three of their respective league tables, and standout performances from several players, the 2025 season is well and truly alive with promise. Let’s dive into the highlights from an action-packed (and sometimes rain-soaked!) month.

First XI – Unbeaten and Unstoppable in Western Premiership Two
Our First XI has been nothing short of sensational so far. Out of five scheduled matches, the team has won all three games played, with two unfortunately called off due to wet weather. Still, that leaves Renfrew with a 100% win record, sitting 2nd in the Western Premiership Two standings — a fantastic position to build from going into June.

One man has truly grabbed the spotlight: Ali Hamza. The stylish opener has been in jaw-dropping form, already amassing 219 runs at an average of 109.50. That not only makes him our leading batter, but also the top run-scorer in the entire league. His calm approach, crisp stroke play, and consistency at the top of the order have laid the foundation for our strong starts.

Backing him up has been club captain Hussnain Haider, whose leadership has been as impressive as his batting, and our professional Nipuna Gamage, both of whom also find themselves among the top six run-scorers in the league.

With the batters firing, it’s only fitting that the bowling unit has held its ground as well. Himanshu Sharma has been our go-to man with the ball, leading the attack with 7 wickets and applying pressure in key moments. His variations and control have been crucial in defending totals and striking early.

The First XI has all the ingredients of a championship-challenging side — firepower at the top, depth in the middle, and bowlers who can win matches. The team spirit is high, the results are coming, and the hunger for silverware is real.

? Second XI – Bouncing Back in Style in Championship 2
The Second XI had a shaky start with a narrow defeat against Nunholm in their season opener, but what followed has been a perfect response. The team regrouped, refocused, and went on to win three matches on the bounce, storming their way up the Championship 2 table to sit 2nd with 78 points.

Credit for this resurgence goes largely to Captain Sahil Chopra, who has been a true leader with both bat and ball. He currently stands as the 2nd highest run-scorer in the league, with 143 runs to his name, leading from the front and showing what calm and determined captaincy can achieve.

Alongside him, Jigar Muchhala has shone behind the stumps and with the bat. The dependable wicketkeeper-batsman has recorded a batting average of 58, adding stability and sharpness in the middle order.

But it doesn’t stop with the bat. The bowling unit has been just as lethal. Sahil Chopra, Tasawar Ashraf, and Parvez Akhtar have all been among the top 10 wicket-takers in the Championship 2 division — a testament to the team’s all-round strength and attacking mindset.

With a strong batting line-up and a hungry bowling attack, the Second XI are shaping up to be serious promotion contenders as the season heats up.

? Third XI – A Promising Start in Championship Four
Our Third XI has quietly but confidently gone about their business this month — and it’s paying off. With 2 wins from 3 games, they currently sit 3rd in Championship Four, putting themselves firmly in the race for a top finish.

This exciting start has been led by two standout performers. First, Guneet Singh Dhaliwal, one of our newest recruits, has wasted no time making his presence felt. With solid knocks and fearless batting, he’s already become the team’s leading run-scorer, showing maturity beyond his years and adding firepower to the top order.

On the bowling side, skipper Uttam Bhowmick has led from the front. With 8 wickets already, he’s been the backbone of the bowling attack, using smart variations and tactical awareness to keep opponents in check.

The Third XI’s youthful energy, mixed with experienced heads, is proving to be a winning formula. Their unity and team-first approach have been a joy to watch, and their performances speak for themselves.

? A Club on the Rise – And the Summer Has Just Begun
If May has shown us anything, it's that Renfrew Cricket Club is in a strong place — on and off the field. Across all three senior teams, we’ve seen match-winning partnerships, league-leading stats, and a real sense of unity and momentum.

Here’s what we’re proud of so far:

✅ All 3 senior teams are in the top 3 of their leagues
✅ Multiple players among league leaders in runs and wickets
✅ Exciting new talent making instant impact
✅ Strong leadership from all captains
✅ A growing sense of belief that this could be a special season

As we head into June and the heart of the cricketing summer, the focus remains on consistency, improvement, and team spirit. With the commitment and talent already on display, there’s every reason to believe big things are on the horizon.

Whether you're a player, supporter, family member or follower — thank you for being part of the journey so far. Let’s keep cheering, playing, and representing Renfrew with pride.

?? We Are Renfrew -Let’s bring on June. Let’s bring on more wins. And let’s keep flying high!