Ferguslie CC snatch pole position in CSL Western First Division

Jun 13 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

FERGUSLIE maintained their winning streak after edging out East Kilbride for all the points at Meikleriggs.

The Paisley side made it five league wins out of five – but not before surviving a scare.

’Lie looked on course for an easy victory until a batting collapse put the game in jeopardy.

However, the Buddies came fighting back to win by two wickets and snatch top place in the CSL Western First Division.

Ferguslie were set a revised target of 147 under the Duckworth Lewis method.

And David Stafford’s 38 and Michael English’s 35 were useful as the ’Lie score crept up.

Ultimately, Michael Homewood and Alistair Preston-Jones steered the home side to the required winning target with two wickets still intact.

Happy Ferguslie cricket convener David Sturgeon said: “In a tense conclusion to the match at Meikleriggs, Michael Homewood and Alistair Preston-Jones held their nerve to get us to the revised target of 147.

“We had been on course for a comfortable win until a batting collapse, losing five wickets for just a few runs, and East Kilbride were right back in the match.

“However, we did win by two wickets and we are now the only undefeated team in the league!”

Earlier, Ferguslie restricted East Kilbride to 150 for nine from a reduced 46 overs, due to a short rain delay.

This was down to a good bowling and fielding display.

Opening ’Lie bowler Jamey Carruthers was the pick of the bowlers with a return of three wickets for only 17 runs from his 10 overs.

Martin McAllister, Michael Homewood and Hamza Tahir all took two wickets each.

Sturgeon said: “In reply, 38 from David Stafford and 35 from Michael English had put us in the strong position of requiring only 25 runs with seven wickets left prior to the batting collapse.

“So there are still aspects of our performances to improve, but a fifth consecutive league win is a fantastic effort by the team.”

Ferguslie are back in league action this Saturday when they travel away from home to take on Stenhousemuir in a game of top versus bottom.