The East Kilbride 1st XI arrived at Meikleriggs and as expected found a rock hard pitch that looked full of runs. Meikleriggs won the toss, and it was no surprise when they elected to bat. Richards bowled a tidy spell with the new ball, but his opening partner Kampman struggled to find his length, as the pitch offered no incentive for pace bowling. Meikleriggs accumulated runs at 5 an over, and the East Kilbride team became sloppy in the field. To their credit the bowlers maintained their discipline, and when Alum stumped the Meikleriggs number 4 batsman for 60, after a typical piece of canny bowling from Mahmood, East Klbride stepped in to finish off the innings. Saeed was the pick of the bowlers in the wicket taking stakes with 5 for 43, but Mahmoods 2 wickets and tidy bowling was the key to restricting the home team to 203 all out. In the dressing room at the interval, the team accepted that the fielding performance was way below par, but appeared confident of chasing the total down, as the pitch still looked full of runs.

In reply the innings started badly as the opening pair of Kampman and Richarson soon departed. Alum made a useful 20, but was caught out hooking as the pace bowler set his trap. Kellett however took a liking to the short stuff, and played some fine cut shots off the short balls, and punished the leg side balls through square leg. When he was joined by Khalid, the pair raced along at more than a run a ball. With Khalid in full flow, Kellett pushed for singles to allow Khalid to punish the spinners straight back over their heads, in a flurry of boundaries. East Kilbride reached the target in quick time with 21 overs to spare, Khalid finishing with superb 80no, and Kellett 70no in a unbeaten partnership of 130 in just 17 overs. The pairs stroke-play being warmly received by the home supporters, who acknowledged the entertaining display.

This win keeps the team in the top 3 of the league, with only 3 points difference, between first and third. Next Saturday the team entertain Prestwick in a top of the table clash, and Titwood on the Sunday. A big weekend for the team as they push for the title.

Thanks
Matt