Clydesdale’s successful under 10 team from 2009 were invited to take on Helensburgh's youngsters at their impressive new indoor hall. This was the team’s first indoor match and they rose to the challenge well.
Playing to Helensburgh’s indoor rules which encouraged straight hitting and quick running, Clydesdale batted first. Captain Imran Ameen lost the toss, but worked out a sensible batting order with Zain and Musa Naeem opening the batting. Musa pushed the quick singles and ran fast, while Zain showed he’d lost none of last year’s form with some big hits all around the hall. Owain and Imran pressured the fielders by running almost every ball and then running the overthrows. Rohan and Neehal kept the scoreboard ticking over nicely and Grant played the anchor role holding the tail together with some solid drives. The game also gave us the chance to try out three new young players, Struan, Ahmadyar and Musa Ali. All got off to good starts, enjoying the frantic atmosphere of indoor cricket and all scoring their first runs for the club. The final score of 96 sounded good, but never having played indoor before we didn't know if this would be enough.
Imran worked his bowling order well with the always accurate Rohan taking the first over and inevitably clean bowling their opening bat. Imran bowled a mixture of fast and slow with some massive movement which totally fooled the batsmen (and the umpire who wanted to give a wide to one that pitched on middle!). Zain, Neehal and Musa all bowled sensibly and picked up wickets, Owain bowled a mixture of fast and very fast claiming six wickets in his two overs; Grant found good movement off the seam and Struan took a good catch. Musa and Ahmadyar enjoyed their first bowls and look as though they’ll be important members of this year’s Sunday morning kwik cricket team. Helensburgh scored 46 so Clydesdale’s score was enough for a convincing victory.
Overall it was an enjoyable game, played in a frantic exciting atmosphere; at one point Clydesdale were almost punished for a slow over rate, but the players got the message and rushed through their last overs; Owain may have taken a hat trick, but as the non striker hadn’t arrived at the non strikers end for the third wicket, we’re not sure if it counts! Musa N (as always) took a good catch, Zain (as always) fielded brilliantly taking one sliding catch, Rohan (as always) bowled with impressive accuracy while all fielders understood the need to back up and prevent overthrows - which helped keep the Helensburgh score down.
Many thanks to Helensburgh for inviting Clydesdale and making it such a good occasion. Now the players can’t wait for the new season to start.
