Vale so close to winning target

0 - 0 • Published 19 May 2009 11:00

Moorcroft 160 all out Vale of Leven 122 all out

THE Vale travelled over the Clyde to Renfrew on Saturday on league business.

Moorcroft runs began to mount, but sharp work between Mohamed Qayyum and Alex McAdam captured the first wicket by way of a run out.

Captain John Birnie tried various bowling combinations and success came with McAdam bowling spin at one end along with Chris Dalby bowling medium pace at the other end. Four wickets fell within a few overs while some good catches helped the cause too.

But the home side were still scoring runs so Birnie brought Qayyum back into the attack, the drier conditions helping his faster bowling.

Both McAdam (five wickets for 37) and Qayyum (two wickets) finished off the home side for 160 in 46 overs - the first time this season the Vale had managed to bowl out a team.

The Vale batsmen stepped up, confident they could make the target of 161 runs.

Dalby and Qayyum opened the batting and things were going well until Dalby lost his wicket with the score on 41.

Disaster struck when the score reached 58 as no less than three wickets fell on the same score line.

The loss of the upper order was a blow and while the middle order added some runs, wickets continued to fall.

Veteran Hugh Hutchinson joined young Ivan Lawrence in the middle with the score on 72 for 7 and the pair formed a fine partnership, taking the score past the 100 mark.

Alarm bells were sounding for Renfrew as the Vale edged towards their target so the home side moved their bowlers around in an effort to break the pairing.

This they did on 112, the partnership having achieved 40 runs.

Another nine runs were added before the Vale"s innings ended on 122, just 39 runs short of their target. Qayyum was the best batman on the day with 29 runs.

This was a much improved bowling and fielding performance from the Vale, but unfortunately was coupled with a poor upper order batting display.

Overall, the Vale are improving and the season has a long way to go.

As the only cricket club in West Dunbartonshire, the club is keen to attract new players.

Contact Hugh on 0141 9518133 for more details or see the club website http://valeofleven.play-cricket.com/home/home.asp.

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This article appeared in Dumbarton & Vale of Leven Reporter 19 May 09

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