The 1st XI visited Hillhead on Saturday in a top of the table clash. Again the sun was beating down, and Hillhead elected to bat first on a dry and dusty pitch which was showing signs of breaking up before a ball was bowled. East Kilbride had a great start when Kampman had the opener caught at first slip in the first over. Hillhead countered with some powerful straight driving as the bowlers over pitched and after 10 overs the score had progressed to 70-2 Waqas entered the attack and claimed 2 wickets but the score continued to mount. A caught behind appeal being turned down by the umpire, did not help the East Kilbride cause in attempting to restrict the Aussie stroke player. The slow bowlers entered the attack, and the run rate was reduced, with Khalid taking 2 wickets for 23, Mahmood bowling economically and Alum picking up a wicket. Some hard work in the field on the hottest day of the year was not always rewarded as the Hillhead lower order kept accumulating to finish on a total of 228. A very achievable score, which could have been perhaps 40 runs less, if the decisions had gone East Kilbrides way.
The reply got of to the worst possible start as opener Alum was removed first ball by a lifter from the Aussie quick. As the game progressed his short of a length attack on a deteriorating pitch proving troublesome for the batsmen. When Kampman and Khalid were also removed cheaply, Kellett and Dalgleish tried to rebuild. When Kellett played on , East Kilbride were reduced to 32-4, and were in trouble. The middle order of Dalgleish 22, Umair 33, and an impressive 33 from keeper Arvind kept the team in with a shout, but another unlucky decision when Umair was adjudged LBW prevented a fully blown recovery. Some impressive lower order batting from Richards, marshaled by Mahmood 24no took East Kilbride to 200 before the final wicket fell. A close game between two very competitive sides turning on a couple of key moments in the game. Next week East Kilbride entertain league strugglers Helensburgh, where they will be hoping to bounce back and remain competitive at the top end of the league.