Kelburne CC claim bragging rights in Paisley Derby thriller

Jul 25 2012 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

IT was derby day joy for Kelburne as they registered a rare away win over rivals Ferguslie at Meikleriggs.

Ferguslie, previously unbeaten in the Cricket Scotland League Western First Division, were looking to maintain their stranglehold at the top of the division.

But the battling ’Burne put a real spanner in the works as they romped to a convincing eight-wicket victory.

Kelburne won the toss and put the ’Lie into bat.

Gregor Preston-Jones managed just 10 runs before his wicket fell to the bowling of Scott Hamilton.

Ferguslie’s top order was dismantled as they lost the next four wickets for just 13 runs as the batsmen struggled to make any headway in the game.

Only Ferguslie’s Alan Mories managed any sort of form, but even his afternoon at the crease was cut short, as he made just 18 before he heading back to the clubhouse.

In the end, Ferguslie were 73 all-out.

In reply, Kelburne’s Jak O’Connell, Ian Bennett and former ’Lie ‘old boy’ Omer Hussain were the destroyers-in-chief, the three of them contributing to steer the visitors to victory with just two wickets lost.

Bennett top-scored for Kelburne with 29.

Ferguslie Cricket Club convenor David Stafford said afterwards: “It was a particularly disappointing weekend for the club as we suffered our first defeat in the Cricket Scotland League in the local derby against Kelburne.

“On Saturday, our batsmen gave our bowlers too much to do, setting a target of just 73.

“Two wickets in reply proved little consolation.”

Ferguslie will look to take out their frustrations when they negotiate another derby game this weekend.

They travel away from home on Saturday to take on Renfrewshire rivals Renfrew, again in the league.

The game will take on extra significance as it’s a battle of the division’s top two teams.

Ferguslie can stretch their points advantage to 30 if they win – but Renfrew could close the gap to just 10 points – if they get the victory they require.

For jubilant Kelburne, the Paisley Buddies will seek to register another league win when they play host to Weirs on Saturday afternoon.