With Saturdays game against Titwood washed out, brighter skies on Sunday enabled East Kilbride to entertain the Western Academy on a damp pitch at Torrance House.
On winning the toss skipper Umair Saeed asked the opposition to bat and this enabled opener bowlers Richards and Kampman to each pick up a wicket, as the academy opening pair were both sent back. A run out by young Andrew Kampman removed the acedemys dangerous number 4 but a a mid innings fightback saw the acedemy boost there score to 110-4 before a rain interuption took the teams off for an early tea. On resumption with the game reduced to 47 overs, East Kilbride fought back, with a confident high catch by young Meikle and the introduction of spinner Alum, which saw the acedemy bowled out. Alum getting bounce and turn as he captured 4-19 in a great spell. The final wicket falling to a direct hit run out from Urqhart. The acedemy posting a respectable 150 all out. In reply East Kilbrides top 3 all got starts, but were all removed by some sharp catching by the acedemy fielders. At 40-3 some solid batting was required, and this was provided by Dalgleish as he played carefully to accumulate 21no. In partnership with the inform Khalid, who hit 5 sixes in his 70no, East Kilbride got the total with 17 overs to spare. The final scores suggesting an easy win for the home team, however this was not the case , as the team had to work hard to overcome a determined and talented academy side.
Next week East Kilbride entertain strugglers Galloway in a must win game for both teams, as East Kilbride push to win the league, and Galloway scrapping to avoid relegation.