1997 Season Captain's Report

This was disappointing both in terms of weather and in terms of results, but the team contrived to play much enjoyable cricket nonetheless.

Most of the side's best bowlers were unavailable for long stretches, as can be seen from the seasons averages: David Evans (Geography) and Richard Cogdell (Botany) were abroad for much of the summer, Neil Rollings (Economic and Social History) was also away from Glasgow for some weeks, and Gordon Curry (Geology) and Chris Philo (Geography) sustained niggling injuries which kept them out of the side in the second half of the season.

In their absence, the bowling was frankly weak, and some of our opponents took full advantage. The depths were plumbed in August, when a strong Helensburgh XI scored over 300 for 2 in 40 overs on a hot, humid afternoon at Ardencaple (and the second wicket only fell off the last ball of their innings). Defeat in this game by nearly 200 runs may well be the Club's heaviest-ever loss by a runs margin.

However, morale was sustained, not least by another Club record: our first victory in a rain-ruined cup-tie decided by bowling six deliveries at the stumps. Several close finishes and gallant individual performances provided high points to set against the low. Ian Holland (General Council) enjoyed a fine run of form with the bat, and among the individual efforts an attempt by Angus McAinsh (General Council) to win an Evening League match against Vale of Leven single-handed with a wonderful attacking innings stands out.

The Club's home matches were played at Stepps on an artificial wicket with a slope which, unusually, did not help the bowlers; they did not run in to the wickets up, or down, the slope, but rather along it. The Stepps ground had good, if cramped, changing facilities, and was adequate as a stopgap, but we are hoping to see the new University cricket ground at Garscube in use in the not too far distant future.

Gordon Curry - Captain