The U15s welcomed Renfrew to Titwood for the U15 league fixture. Returning skipper Finlay Walker won the toss, chose to bat and was first out (bowled for 10). Ahmad Chaudhry followed shortly afterwards (for 13) and Ilyaas Rehman was run out soon thereafter for 1. U15s 43/3 off 7. The run out was a bit careless but the other 2 wickets had fallen to decent enough deliveries – Finlay paid the price for not getting on the front foot as one nipped back in and Ahmad was done by one that pretty much seamed square! Suhaib Siddiqui got his change to play as a batter but struggled early on…and Lyle Hill didn’t exactly hit the ground running either. And the Renfrew bowlers were bowling pretty well on a pitch that very suited the seamers. Gradually Lyle found his touch (finishing 58 not out) and Suhaib’s lusty blows eventually paid off (as he started to hit the ball!). And the pair batted very well for the last 4 or so overs – with Lyle reaching another 50 and Suhaib scoring 20 off his last 9 deliveries before being run out and allowing Scott Turnbull to finish 4* (off 2 balls). U15s 144/4 off their 18 overs.
The reply started slowly – 6 off, then a maiden, then 2. And then it came to life…from a Clydesdale point of view. 1, wicket, dot, wicket, 1 wicket, dot, wicket, dot, wicket, wide, dot, dot, wicket…as Aymen Hashim and Ilan Selby (…next year’s opening combination???) ripped through the Renfrew order. All 6 wickets were clean bowled – 2 to Aymen and 4 to Ilan…and both deserved their success. Lewis MacKay replaced Aymen and picked up 2 wickets in his first 2 overs to leave Renfrew 28/8. But then batters 9 and 10 embarked on a pretty irritating partnership for 5 overs – adding 26 before #9 was out stumped by Ahmad off Fin. The last pair were similarly obstructive as they added 19. Fin, KK, Lewis, Ilyaas and Ilan (back for his 5th and final over, trying to get his 5-for) all tried and failed to break it…until the second last ball of the innings when KK got the wicket – the 7th clean bowled of the innings. Renfrew 73 all out.
Just one game to go for the U15s – away to Drumpellier. And with both a date and reserve date agreed, the U15s might actually play all their games…for once!
