Barclay insists SMRH can challenge for honours after third win in four outings

AFTER several seasons in the doldrums, SMRH are building a squad that can mount a meaningful challenge for honours.

That was the verdict of club president Bert Barclay yesterday as he looking back in a "very satisfying" victory over Penicuik at Kirkhill.

The Inverleith outfit have welcomed new professional George Worker from New Zealand and have also recruited a group of other powerful players, including former Scotland batsman Bryn Lockie.

Saturday's tussle was a tense and low-scoring affair which reflected the worsening conditions.

And following a quick blitz of boundaries by Worker and a mid-innings collapse, Mark Burgess steadied the ship to guide SMRH to their third win in four outings.

Barclay said: "Things are definitely looking up, though a true measure of where we are could come next weekend when we take on Dumfries, who have such great depth in batting.

"At Kirkhill, we had Penicuik 60 for eight but let them off the hook to get 120, which could have made things a bit tricky for us in the miserable weather.

"George was making his debut and although he only scored 32, it was a very important knock in the context of this match.

"He found the boundary six times, which acted as a platform - however, we almost spoilt things by losing the next four wickets for as many runs.

"At 86 for eight we were struggling, but Mark batted superbly to see us over the line. I think the shot that knocked the stuffing out of Penicuik was his huge six which landed across the road from the ground."

Earlier, the bowling plaudits had gone to Raja Javed and Vishal Singh, who shared eight home scalps.

Barclay added: "Raja is a useful addition to our side. He did well when he was with Edinburgh CC and then moved to Heriot's, but didn't get much game-time there."

SMRH are also bolstered by the presence of teenage overseas amateur Brayden Tracey, from Melbourne, and Alex Shaw, who is on a gap year before starting at the University of Sydney.

Shaw is no stranger to Inverleith, having spent a year as an exchange pupil at Stewart's-Melville College.

An unbeaten 75 by Steve McLister inspired Kelburne to a thrilling 18-run success against Corstorphine at Barnton. David Harper also weighed in with 61 as the Paisley brigade cruised to 264 for three.

Former Saltires player Rob More hit 75 in the reply, but the target was just out of reach.

Free-scoring Dumfries were left mightily frustrated when the elements intervened.

They had rattled up a lofty 208 for one against a ragged Edinburgh Accies attack at Nunholm after only 36 overs and looked destined to surge over the 300-mark.

Veteran Davie Davidson led the charge with an unbeaten 88, figuring in a huge stand with Scott Beveridge, who finished on 70 not out.

Renfrew had been on top at Stenhousemuir when the abandonment came. Up until that point, Stenhousemuir were toiling on 48 for five after 20 overs.