New skipper MacLeod happy with Uddingston’s cup start

The opening day of the season may have been blighted by rain but the cup holders dodged the showers at Bothwell Castle Policies long enough to get their campaign off to a flier.

Reflecting on a seven-wicket success (by the Duckworth/Lewis method) MacLeod, captaining Uddingston for the first time in a competitive fixture, said: “The guys produced a very professional performance, which was very pleasing.

“It’s particularly impressive because for most of them it was their first game of the season as our friendlies were rained off. “This gives us something to build on as the competition goes on.”

Having been sent in to bat, Fauldhouse were up against it when Ricky Bawa and Scotland U19 and Durham Academy pace bowler Gavin Main both struck twice. There was to be no respite for the former East League side whose middle and lower order was blown away by Scott Mackenzie. The tall seamer returned exceptional figures of 6-18 as Fauldhouse were dismissed for just 81.

Uddingston’s reply was spearheaded by Amir Gul who hit 25 but the run-chase was halted by an untimely shower with the home side on 65-2. After a lengthy delay they were, somewhat farcically, set a revised D/L target of 68. The cup holders proceeded to lose a further wicket but had no problems in securing the victory.

Grange, likely to be Uddingston’s main group rivals, saw their home clash with Renfrew washed out and MacLeod added: “The format of the competition means that this could prove to be an important win. It is nice to have a one-point advantage over Grange already.”

Elsewhere, Freuchie’s Kash Khalil matched Mackenzie in taking six wickets as the Fifers upset Ayr at Cambusdoon. Khalil’s 6-13 helped dismiss the hosts for just 84 and, while Freuchie’s reply was never plain sailing, they eventually won by three wickets.

John Blain made an impressive start to his tenure as player-coach of West of Scotland. The former Saltires World Cup bowler claimed three Corstorphine wickets while conceding only four runs in a one-sided affair at Hamilton Crescent.

Blain had sterling support from Dave McNulty who took 4-15 as the Edinburgh club were shot out for 56 – 142 runs short of their revised D/L target.

Earlier Ian Young hit a flowing unbeaten 84 and Anjam Luthra 53no as West amassed 209-3.

Dumfries amassed the day’s biggest total of 318-5 against Weirs with five players recording half-centuries. Weirs managed just 100-5 in reply.

Former Scotland batsman Steve Knox stroked an unbeaten 70 as Heriot’s forged a seven-wicket D/L win over Ferguslie at Goldenacre while Western Warriors all-rounder Josh Edwards’ 47no guided Stirling to an eight-wicket success against Edinburgh Accies in another rain-affected match at New Williamfield.