BRYAN Clarke paid tribute to his history-making Uddingston team after the club clinched their first league title for 79 years yesterday.
The Bothwell outfit overcame last year's winners Dumfries by two wickets to pip Clydesdale to the Western Premier championship on run-rate.
Captain Clarke said: "The guys have been magnificent all season. We've had contributions throughout the side and today summed it up.
"At 44-4 we were struggling but Calum MacLeod and Vasu Reddy dug in and got us back on track. We've had that spirit since the opening day of the campaign. It's a great day for the club and we will enjoy the celebrations tonight but we also want to build on this success."
The Lanarkshire side went into the final day level on points with Clydesdale, who secured their own win over West of Scotland at Titwood. However, Uddingston's superior net run-rate proved decisive although they needed to overcome a disastrous start in pursuit of their 210 target at Bothwell Castle, as four quick wickets fell.
Amir Gul, who had been called into the Reivers T20 squad earlier in the day, was first to go when he offered a sharp return catch to Chris McCutcheon. The same bowler had Gautham Rai caught in the slips as the home batsmen struggled.
Sri Lankan professional Ras Priyadarshana was then trapped in front by Peter Lojszczyk who also had Sammy Zia caught behind next ball.
However, MacLeod moved through the gears on his way to a 74-ball half-century which included seven boundaries. Reddy, too, looked in the mood in a 93-run partnership but, having stroked four boundaries in his 28, he chased a wide one to give Lojszczyk his third wicket and Dumfries renewed hope.
MacLeod, though, warmed to his task and when eventually out, lbw to McCutcheon for 90, his team needed just 23 runs from the final 10 overs.
Scott McKenzie and Nick Martin (23) went in quick succession as the tension rose but Clarke stroked the winning runs with five overs to spare.
Dumfries had made a steady start, making Uddingston wait for their wickets. Todd Griffith in particular was severe on any wayward bowling and he and Pat Druce reached 50 in 15 overs. They had advanced to 74 when Druce was trapped in front by MacLeod for 27 to spark a mini-collapse that brought the championship hopefuls right back into it.
MacLeod, never far from the action, took a sharp catch at slip as Gul removed Marcus Richardson. The Saltires and former Warwickshire all-rounder struck twice more, claiming the wickets of Griffith, who made 41 from 55 deliveries, and Chris Bellwood. That left Dumfries on 86-4 but Tom McBride went on to top-score with 42, adding 50 with Andrew Dawson who became the third lbw victim of the innings, falling to Reddy. McBride's innings, meanwhile, was brought to an end when MacLeod held on to a skied shot off McKenzie. Again Uddingston could smell blood but Dumfries showed resilience as Beveridge with 38no and Lojszczyk (18no) added 49 as the visitors closed on 209.
Clydesdale had to be content with the runners-up prize after bowling out West for 107 after making a modest 145 themselves, while Neil Smith's half-century helped Ayr to a three-wicket win over Stirling, preserving their Premier Division status and sending the New Williamfield club down.
In the Eastern Premier Division, a brilliant 88 from Michael Leask helped Stoneywood-Dyce chase Carlton's 251 to beat the drop and send SMRH down on the final day of the season.
William Dick
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