Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter | Sport

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Tuesday, 4th September, 2007 11:45

WE WILL SURVIVE

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VALE of Leven Cricket Club were on a survival mission on Saturday.

Following last week’s high scoring game against relegation rivals Ardrossan, confirmation was received that three teams would be relegated this season.

This meant that the Vale would go to Garscube for their final league match of the season still needing five points to avoid a second successive relegation.

Once again, the commitment of some club members was called into question as the Vale could only muster 10 men for this vital fixture as late call-offs, and supporting their favoured football team, reduced availability.

With occasional rain showers hitting the ground, Captain Stephen Bates lost the toss, but Garscube elected to bat first on their new artificial wicket which is known to favour the batting side.

The positive outcome of this, for the Vale bowlers, was that it offered a good opportunity to secure the points required during the first part of the game.

Stephen opened the bowling with himself and Robert Bruce, but a few late arrivals left gaps in the field and Hugh Bell took advantage for Garscube as he worked the ball into the gaps.

He made the first breakthrough in the fourth over though, securing the first point in the process, and although the second wicket took some time to come, it also went to Stephen as did the third — the dismissal of Bell for 43 runs.

Dangerman Riaz still posed a threat to the Vale, but he had little support from the rest of the Garscube batsmen as their innings stalled.

And the Vale took four further wickets with just one run being added to the total, as Robert and Stephen completed their allocation of 15 overs each having dismissed the top eight batsmen and conceding 108 runs between them.

It also saw Stephen posting his second best ever bowling figures of six wickets for 55 runs and Chris Dalby was introduced to the attack.

Chris then recorded the vital success in his first over, taking the wicket that secured the fifth point for the Vale and ensuring safety.

There was a relaxing in the field after this, and the last Garscube pair dug in and sought to move their total on and Chris highlighted the relaxed sense when he dropped an easy catch.

However, this acted as a wake-up call and he promptly bowled the last Garscube batsman with his next ball to close the innings on 128 runs, posting two wickets for 11 runs from his three overs and one ball.

After his century last week, Stephen decided to open the batting himself along with Adam Elawady — having bowled Garscube out in just 38 overs, the Vale had 62 overs available to make 129 runs.

With the attacking style of both openers it was unlikely to take that long, but Stephen’s dismissal for just two runs brought the steadying influence of Chris to the wicket.

With one end secure, Adam was able to fully express himself with the bat, and he hit a rapid 770 runs before being caught on the boundary.

The total had reached 93 by this point from just 17 overs and Chris, having batted for a lengthy period to secure a draw on this ground last season, guided the Vale to victory some 10 overs later.

As well as avoiding the drop, the 25 points gained from this win rocketed the Vale up to fifth in the league as the club got the victories when it mattered.

Vale’s performances in the final two matches have shown the determination that exists among the committed members to maintain their status, but also highlights the potential that exists.

Having also secured draws in both games against the league champions, who only failed to win three matches in total, is a sign that they can compete at a higher level.

Now the club is looking forward to next season with renewed enthusiasm and there will be good opportunities for any new members who want to give cricket a try when pre-season training begins in January.

The club is also holding a race night to raise funds towards next season at the Laughing Fox in Alexandria on Friday September 7, starting at 9pm.

Anyone wishing to support the club (and possibly make some money for themselves) is welcome to join us.

Contact Hugh on 0141 951 8133 for more details or check out the web site at http://valeofleven.play-cricket.com if you want to join the club, which is the only cricket club in West Dunbartonshire.

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