Report by Joshua Johnston, 1st XI Captain:

Ashas East Kilbride travelled to Prestwick for their first friendly of the season on a Cold and wet day, great effort from Prestwick just to get the game on due to the weather over the last couple of weeks. Josh Johnston our captain for the new season, lost the toss and East Kilbride
were put into bat on a tricky but fairly decent wicket considering.

Gavin Meikle and Harmanjit Singh opened the batting. The Prestwick bowlers bowled a good line and length, bowling the odd bad ball that H Singh punished in fine fashion. After 5 overs EK lost their first wicket when G Meikle played round a straight ball and was bowled for 4 which brought Mooneb Iqbal to the crease on his EK debut. Moneeb has signed with EK from Weirs, he is eager to score runs and impress in the premier league. In the 15th over Singh took a dance down the wicket and was stumped for 27. A welcomed return for overseas player Peter Bocock, batting on his birthday with fine form. Which proved to be a match winning partnership between Bocock and Iqbal both playing sensibly but taking the opportunity to punish the opposition. Both went on to get 50s Mooneb was out for 62 a superb start to his campaign, Peter for 71 showing he is hungry for runs in the top flight. Having done their job the middle order could get a decent run out and dust the cobwebs off. A good total set for Ek to bowl to. EK 181-8 after their 35 overs.

​After a short tea it was Prestwick's turn to bat and try to chase down a good total. Calum Edmond and Steve Mann opened the bowling bowling a good line and length. Both were unlucky not to pick up a wicket, Calum 0-27 off his 6 overs Steve 0-7 from 4 overs. A change of pace brought Umair Saeed and Nick Ralphs into the attack. Again both bowling with great discipline Nick finally getting the reward the EK side deserved. Nick picking up 2 wickets for just 14 runs and Umair no wickets for 8 runs. Skipper Josh and Mooneb came on to bowl and were unlucky to pick up a wicket from some good bowling, almost totally drying up the runs for 10 overs. A bowling relationship that should blossom in the games to come. Into the deadly attack came Richard Carton, who plays for East Kilbride's 2XI was the pick of the bowlers ending on figures of 4 wickets for 17 runs. Not only on debut but any cricketer would be delighted with that great performance. Great fielding kept a tight game for the East Kilbride. Prestwick finished their 35 overs on 121-6, 60 runs short. Which gave EK there first victory.

A healthy start for new captain Josh Johnston who was delighted at his teams performance.