Poloc's juniors

Poloc runs junior cricket teams at three available age-group levels: Under 10, 11,  and 12, and compete in West District Junior Cricket Union - as well as Cricket Scotland - competitions.  Under 10 and 11 players compete in "Kwik Cricket" competitions, both indoors (in the winter) and outdoors, the Under 12s hard-ball.  But competitive play is only one, small, aspect of Poloc's junior work and this page will tell you more about what's going on at the club for the 50 or so youngsters registered with it.

The club's coaching staff are all qualified and appropriately CRBS, Disclosure Scotland, PVG and/or Police checked, and the club is an enrolled body under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme.  Poloc's Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy can be viewed online and is also available from our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer, Keith Young, whose contact details can be found below and on the Contact us page of the website.

Junior news and match report  

Under 12s match cancelled [posted 23/08/21] 

This evening's rearranged Under 12 match at "Hamilton Crescent" against West of Scotland has been cancelled, a COVID-19 case in the junior section at West of Scotland CC resulting in the match being called off.  

The Under 12s win again [posted 16/08/21] 

Prestwick were the Under 12s' hosts this evening as the club's youngest side played its final scheduled league fixture of the season.  On a chilly, overcast, night, the 'Loc were in the field first after losing the toss.  Following the simple instructions of bowling straight, and doing in the game what they practice each week, the youngsters then delivered a near-flawless display in the field.  Fifteen wickets were taken, including six run outs, and three catches.  Really pleasing to see.  Adam Ali took 3 for 4 in his three overs, with Finlay Rumins and Muntaha Maqsood each taking a brace of wickets.  Prestwick were restricted to 70 for 15, the fifteen wickets giving the 'Loc a 60-run head-start when they came to bat.  

First up for the Under 12s were Ruairidh Datta and Jacob Haw who batted through their five-over allocation unbeaten, Ruairidh Datta finishing 20 not out, an innings that included three 4s.  The McNeil brothers, Liam and adam, were then dismissed just the twice in overs six to ten, Liam finishing 21 not out to be the side's top-scorer on the night.  A good start then, and at the halfway point only two wickets had been lost.  Pair three comprised Finlay Rumins and Zaviyar Abassi, the former also ending not out, and the pair just losing two more wickets.  This left the deck clear for Adam Ali and Muntaha Maqsood, who batted through to the end, Adam Ali finishing 14 not out, and the pair being dismissed just the once.  So only five wickets lost in twenty overs, and a final score of 175 for 5 that meant the side had won by 85 runs.  A really good win.  [Scorecard]

Under 12s continue their winning streak [posted 27/07/21] 

The Under 12s gained revenge for their only defeat of the season, thus far, beating visitors Hillhead this evening by 8 runs in a closely-fought encounter.  Played in glorious weather, the match saw Hillhad bat first and post 93 for 11.  The loss of eleven wicket also meant - under the applicable pairs rules - that the Under 12s would start their reply on 44 for 0, 4 runs being gained for each wicket taken.  The eleven wickets were shared around, but Muneeb Rehman was the standout performer, returning 4 for 8 in his three overs.  Adam Ali (3-1-4-1) and Max Moffat (3-0-9-2) also bowled tightly to restrict the visitors' batters.  In the field there was good stuff on show, from Muneeb Rehman throwing himself around to stop balls, through Max Moffat scurrying here-there-and-everywhere, and good catches by Adam Ali and Finlay Rumins, to Jacob Haw and Finlay Rumins tag-teaming seamlessly to execute a neat run out.  So, 94 to win, and starting 44 for 0 was the half-time equation.  However, of course, if wickets were then lost in their run-chase, the Under 12s' target would increase. 

As it was, the side only lost six wickets as they, first, reached the Hillhead total, and then surpassed it.  Last pair Max Moffat and Jacob Haw were both not out [Ed': despite Max's best attempts to run both of them out on more than one occasion - think Keystone Cops!], and "safely" saw the side to the win.  Adam Ali, batting with Finlay Rumins, top-scored with 18, and Aaatish Venkatesan (12) also got into double figures, batting in the second pair with Zaviyar Abbasi.  125 for 6 was their final score, seeing the Under 12s win by 8 runs.  Well done to them, and another good game on a great night for junior cricket. 

Under 12s win yet again [posted 12/07/21]  

The Under 12s' convoy drove through a sort of Arctic winter of torrential rain falling from a jet black sky to get to a,.....gloriously bright, sunny and warm "Glenpark" this evening to take on hosts Greenock in their latest Under 12 League match.  On debut was Adam McNeill who stood in for an AWOL Muntaha Maqsood, and Max Moffat finally managed to convince his football manager the footy season was done and made his season 2021 entrance.  Batting first the side 99 for 8, the eight wickets falling being a blight on an otherwise good batting display.  Adam Ali top-scored with an unbeaten 20, whilst Max Moffat was dismissed twice en route to 17.  Those eight wickets, of coyurse, also meant Greenock started their chase for 100 with 32 runs already on the 'board.  And the run-chase would go down to the wire, with the 'Loc eventually sneaking home by just a couple of runs, Greenock finishing up 109 for 3, and therefore 3 short of their target. 

The 'Loc bowling was really a tale of two halves: Adam Ali (3-0-6-0), Max Moffat (2-0-3-0), Aatish Venkatesan (2-1-2-2), and Liam McNeill (2-0-8-0) were all super-economical, but their efforts were very nearly negated by some more wayward bowling from the rest of the bowling unit.  But in the end the side snuck home, and this was credit to some good ground field that backed up the tight bowling that was on show.  [Scorecard]

Under 12s win again [posted 28/06/21] 

The Under 12s entertained Prestwick this evening on a balmy summer's night.  The visitors batted first and posted 93 for 6, with the 'Loc bowlers sharing the wickets around.  There were two-apiece for Jacob Haw and Aatish Venkatesan, with Liam McNeill executing a neat run out.  And though Liam McNeill, Adam Ali, and Findlay Rumins would finish wicketless on the night, their combined figures of 9-1-15-0 were, nevertheless, impressive, and reflected good, generally-tight lines. 

With 24 runs already in their bag as they started their run-chase (4 runs for each wicket taken), the Under 12s knew that a win was within their grasp.  However, though they would run out winners, it's fair to say that credit should go to Prestwick who managed to take nine 'Loc wickets, albeit at a total cost that still saw them end up on the losing side.  Only James Sheridan (10*) and Liam McNeill (5*) were not dismissed, with Adam Ali (32) top-scoring despite being dismissed off the last ball he faced.  Other contributions with the bat came from Aatish Venkatesan (18), and Jacob Haw (10).  In the final analysis the second innings closed on 131 for 9, to see the 'Loc win by 38 runs.  [Scorecard]

Under 12s beat East Renfrewshire [posted 21/06/21] 

What a difference a week makes!  Tonight's Under 12 match against East Renfrewshire CC at "Shawholm" was played in gloriously warm and sunny weather, and the youngsters fairly rattled through their 40 overs!  Compare-and-contrast with last Monday: dark, dank, and looooong!  Anyway, to the actual match: the visitors batted first and would eventually post 61 for 7.  This meant the 'Loc would start their reply with 28 runs (the seven wickets they'd taken getting them this number x 4 runs under the quirky rules of Under 12 pairs cricket.  The seven wickets taken had been shared around the bowlers, Muntaha Maqsood being the only bowler to take more than one, her wickets owing much to two really good catches by teammates: Adam Ali at mid-wicket, and Rhuraidh Datta in the covers.  There were also a couple of nice bits of ground fielding [Ed': yes, just like the youngsters practice!] that saw visiting batters run out.  Adam Ali and Jacob Haw executed one each.  

In their reply, the 'Loc youngsters did lose more wickets than East Renfrewshire, however they also scored more freely.  Adam Ali top-scored with 23 (18), an innings that included four 4s, and he was given more-than-able support by Rhuraidh Datta, who scored a near run-a-ball 17*, including three 4s.  In the final analysis the Under 12s would lose 9 wickets en route to scoring 106 for 9, to run out 9-run winners.  [Scorecard]   

Under 12s lose to West of Scotland [posted 14/06/21] 

After a gloriously warm, bright and sunny weekend this evening's Under 12 match at "Shawholm" against West of Scotland was played in what can only be described as Baltic conditions.  Under a slate-grey sky and in the teeth of a bracing wind, the Under 12s batted first against their north-side rivals.  Adam Ali (20*) led from the front, remaining unbeaten with opening partner Finlay Rumins (5*) in their five-over stay in the middle.  Running well between the wickets, the pair looked comfortable rotating the strike, and hitting bad balls for 2s or boundaries.  Muntaha Maqsood and Jacob Haw wre pair two, and when they'd taken their side to the halfway point of the first innings, only one wicket had fallen.  However the staunch defences wouldn't hold out through the second ten overs: no fewer than seven wickets were lost, as the visitors' bowlers took charge.  In the final reckoning the 'Loc youngsters had posted [Ed': remembering the oddity of the scoring system!] 108 for 8.  To the run-chase: as their hosts had done, West of Scotland's openers were quickly out of the traps with the bat.  Broadley (21) and Sable (21) both got in to the 20s, and Rae (22), batting in the third pair, did likewise.  Added to this the 'Loc just couldn't take enough wickets, quickly enough, to stay in the hunt for the win.  And in the final analysis West of Scotland finished on 174 for 7, to secure a 66-run win.  Adam Ali was the best of the home bowlers, taking 3 for 11.  [Scorecard]  

Under 12s get their matchday programme underway [posted 08/06/21] 

The Under 12s finally got some matchplay under their belts this evening, making the short trip over the river to "Hughenden" to play Hillhead.  On a glorious evening, there was some good cricket on view, with a win eventually being secured by 44 runs [Ed': under the Under 12 competition's quirky rules!].  Batting first, in pairs, 153 for 7 was posted, with both Adam Ali and Jacob Haw getting in to double figures, the latter registering a nice maximum in his thirteen-ball 14.  Running between the wickets was pass'able, but there's still work to be done on those old chestnuts: clear calling, and backing up. 

For the Hillhead side, Wild, with 3 for 16 was their standout bowler.  With 4 runs being credited to a side's total for each wicket taken, Hillhead started their reply on 28 for 0.  However this advantage was relatively quickly reduced by some tight bowling, and the fall of early wickets.  Six wickets were taken in the first ten overs of the home side's reply, with a "champagne moment" from Jacob Haw, being his catch at square, holding on to a hard-hit pull.  #CreditTheCoaches  In all Hillhead would lose fourteen wickets en route to amassing 109 runs (including the 28 they gained from their first innings efforts - hope you're all still following!).  The 56 runs gained by taking the fourteen wickets, therefore, saw Poloc end on 153, and registering a 44-run win, with Hillhead finishing on 109.  And, finally, mention to Hillhead's Rae, who ended up on the losing side, despite blasting an eighteen-ball 26 in his side's reply. 

So, good to get started, and thanks to Hillhead for their hosting.  [Scorecard]

Another Under 12 match cancelled! [posted 29/05/21] 

The Under 12s' bad luck continued, with Helensburgh confirming they will not be able to fulfil Monday's scheduled match.  Disappointing though that is, it's understandable in the strange times we are all operating in, and the Under 12s look forward to their next scheduled match, away at "Hughenden" against Hillhead, on the 7th of June. 

Monday's Under 12 match off [posted 22/05/21] 

Greenock CC has confirmed that they will not be travelling in to Glasgow - under Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions - on Monday for the scheduled Under 12 match at "Shawholm".  It is hoped the match can be resheduled. 

Junior fixtures [posted 28/04/21] 

With our junior players back training, there was more good news for the club's youngest cricketers with the Western District Junior Cricket Union publishing its league fixtures.  The club's Under 12s will start their 2021 season on Monday the 17th of May, Monday being the side's regular matchday.  The fixtures can be found online. 

Archived junior match reports

You can read earlier, and prior season, junior match reports online in our archive too. 

Junior membership

The coaching provided by the club for juniors is free-of-charge, and young people attending do not have to become club members unless they want to.  The club, however, welcomes new junior members.  The related application and consent forms can be downloaded for completion direct from the website.

Club-based junior coaching

"Open-to-all" coaching

Outdoor junior coaching

Under the umbrella of the "Community Coaching Initiative", outdoor coaching with coaches Keith Sheridan and Keith Young takes place on Thursday evenings at the club between late April and early September.  Under 12s (as at 1 September in the previous year) between 6.30pm and 7.30pm.  Older players practice along with seniors.

The club's registered juniors number around 50 and are regularly updated as to what's going on for them at the club and encouraging them to get along to these outdoor practices.

As with senior practice, sessions, whenever practical, involve "nets" although teaching of the basics of the game is given a high priority. as such, genuine "beginners" are welcome along on any of the juniors evenings with children of both sexes, and as young as seven years old, taking part.  The use of "Kwik Cricket" facilitates safe play for even the youngest children.

Indoor junior coaching

After the end of the traditional summer playing season, coaching moves indoor with the facilities of Hutchesons' Grammar School Sports Hall being utilised.  Indoor coaching sessions are advertised here on the website and are normally on weekends.

Juniors are co-ordinated by Junior Convenor Grant Cathcart, with the assistance of our registered coaches.

Interested parents and/or children can find out more about junior coaching by contacting Grant Cathcart and/or the club directly. contact details being found on the Contact us section of the website.