VALE of Leven Cricket Club entertained fellow league strugglers Galloway on Saturday — with the away side prevailing in this important clash.

Before the start of the match, both teams observed a minutes silence for Loch Lomond rugby player Chris Lister, who tragically lost his life in a recent car accident. A couple of the Vale players had played rugby with him and the club’s heartfelt condolences go out to his family.

Captain Ivan Lawrence won the toss and put Galloway into bat with the hope of getting quick wickets and scoring the runs quickly before the rain, which was due to arrive later in the afternoon.

However, things did not go to plan as Galloway made steady progress against the Vale bowling attack of Alex McAdam, Brian Stavert and Chris Dalby all of whom were bowling well but with no luck.

The Galloway batsmen then started to hit out with the runs flowing as the ground dried up. It was the reintroduction of Chris and Graham Lawrence who made in roads into the Galloway batting with Chris taking three and Graham four wickets as Galloway finished on 200 for 8.

The Vale had their strongest team out for the season and fancied their chances of chasing the total. However as with all previous matches the loss of two quick wickets put the Vale batsmen under pressure.

Ivan and Alex steadied the ship but were falling behind the run rate with good accurate bowling from Galloway. As they tried to increase the run rate Ivan (21) and Alex (20) were both out in quick succession, soon to be followed by four other batsmen as the Vale went from 75 for 3 to 86 for 9.

This brought together 15-year-old Josh Matheson and 17-year-old Ross McCallam who showed the senior batsmen how it should be done by putting on a last wicket stand of 30 with stout defence and skillful shots.

Josh was finally out for a league best 16 and Ross made his highest score of nine not out. The Vale finished on 116 all out.

If the other batsmen had shown the same application, shot selection and good running between the wickets as Josh and Ross then a win must surely not be to far away.