THERE was only one survivor from Saturday's Conference A card, and GHK came within a whisker of winning it. There is a certain irony in that both sides lost ground to others who were unable to play, and whose percentage in the league table therefore remains unchanged.
The wicket at Anniesland is not the easiest and rain had its inevitable effect on the outfield so that the home side felt that their all out total of 142 from 50 overs was worth rather more than that. Opponents Watsonians, on the other hand, believed that the target was attainable although conscious of their having allowed the hosts off the hook at 106 for nine. The last pair, skipper Charlie Dunlop and Duncan Holland, finessed a further 36 runs which were to prove critical.
This, however, is one of GHK's strengths. They reckon they could turn their order upside down and fare no worse, such is their strength in depth. Holland certainly has a track record as opener, a role filled on Saturday by his brother Nick whose 20 represented the platform from which they were able to construct their innings. Australian Peter Bruhn contributed 19 and Dunlop was unbeaten on 36 at the end.
Pro Zahid Ahmed missed out this time as did recent recruit John Sedgwick, perhaps the only opera singer playing cricket in Scotland. His previous club stomping ground was in the competitive hurly burly of Metroland London and he was promoted to first team duty following a big century for the seconds last week.
Watsonians captain Tim Bunker was their most cost effective bowler with three for 22 off 14 overs. Owen Gilchrist also had three at a cost of 51, and the other four were shared between John Weller and Richard Beattie.
Their reply never really became airborne although the ball which undid New Zealander Hamish Grey certainly did, a flyer which took him on the glove. Others were more culpable and wickets went down to a series of rash shots mostly when batsmen looked set. Pro Gilchrist departed in this way at 22 and Australian compatriot Weller, a big scorer in recent matches, went for 17.
Ultimately Watsonians were reduced to avoiding defeat, with Bunker surviving 10 overs for three runs while last man Beattie's first ball went flashing just wide of slip enabling him to hold out for the final three overs and the draw at 101 for nine.
Much of the damage was done by the twin menace of Zahid and Richard Young bowling 30 overs in tandem for only 62 runs and five wickets. Had Watsonians managed just six more runs they would have secured a further two points at GHK's expense but the home side were determined to ensure that even this modest target would appear too ambitious.
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