HELENSBURGH Cricket Club are aiming to bounce back this weekend after falling to a six-wicket defeat away to Kilmarnock.

Helensburgh have back-to-back home fixtures this weekend, with a WDCU league fixture against Weirs at Ardencaple on Saturday followed by a Cricket Scotland Challenge Cup tie against Buckie CC at 1pm on Sunday.

The games give Helensburgh an ideal chance to return to winning form after the euphoria of the previous week’s double win at home to Stenhousemuir and Gordonians was dispelled by a combination of untidy bowling and sloppy fielding away to Kilmarnock.

READ MORE: Captain delighted as Helensburgh record back-to-back home wins

Helensburgh were asked to bat first on a greenish looking wicket which, despite its appearance, played true.

Despite losing a couple of early wickets, Helensburgh showed great patience again, with skipper Gregor Chambers and Jarryd Clancy establishing a platform for the innings.

Chambers was going nicely when he took one in his personal middle wicket – that proved enough to break his concentration, and he was out two deliveries later for 24 when he missed a straight ball.

At 60 for three, though, Helensburgh again had a good base to kick on from – but in contrast to their wins the previous weekend, this week it wasn’t to be, and the middle order all went cheaply, leaving the visitors scrabbling at 90 for eight.

Clancy, however, continued to bat with great precision, and was well supported by Cameron Caskie – but when Caskie fell in the 49th over, Helensburgh were 118 all out, with Clancy finishing on 35 not out.

READ MORE: Helensburgh's first XI lose to Ayr at Ardencaple

The score always looked about 30 runs short, but Helensburgh have applied themselves well in the field this season and so they did fancy their chances of defending it.

However, some untidy bowling and sloppy fielding in the first 20 overs meant Killie got off to a good start and didn’t look under any pressure, with only Marc Christiansen managing to tie the batsmen down.

A couple of wickets for Chambers, one for Clancy and one for Christiansen did give Helensburgh some hope, especially as their was noticeable improvement in the fielding from the 20 over point.

But in reality the score was never enough, and Killie completed a six-wicket win with 10 overs to spare, leaving Helensburgh to think about what might have been.

READ MORE: Helensburgh captain has high hopes despite opening-day defeat

A disappointed Chambers told the Advertiser: “It was a poor performance from us on Saturday.

“We didn’t get enough runs on the board on a pitch that wasn’t really doing anything, but I’m really disappointed with our performance in the field, which was a long way short of what we’ve been doing up until now.

“The boys all know that, so there’s nothing more that needs to be said.

“Weirs at home this weekend will be a tough game, but I am looking for us to bounce back.”

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Anyone interested in joining the club is welcome to come along on Tuesdays or Thursdays and join in net sessions.

* Whilst the Helensburgh seniors go through their trials and tribulations, the All Stars Cricket initiative at the club (pictured left) is going fantastically well.

More than 20 youngsters aged between five and eight years old are regularly attending sessions led by first XI captain Gregor Chambers, ably assisted by a number of the older juniors.

The sessions are proving to be great fun as the youngsters get to grips with the basics of batting, bowling and fielding.

It’s not too late to get involved – details are at AllStarsCricket.co.uk – but watch this space, because at the end of the programme the club is hoping to get an ongoing group up and running for this age group.