1st XI v Cargilfield
The First XI continues to enjoy a strong start to the season after a bitterly cold match at Cargilfield on Wednesday ended as a draw.
Craigclowan won the toss and elected to bat first, confident that they could post a winning total on a rather bumpy pitch, that looked as if it would suit the bowlers. We were an opening bowler down as Tom G is still nursing an injured arm (thanks Mr. Harvey), but still had plenty of bowling to call upon. Tom D and Will started things off for us. Within moments there was a chance missed when their batsman lifted one towards cover – a lesson in being ready, right from the start. In the fourth over, and with only 8 runs on the board, Will struck, trapping his man L.B.W. In the 7th over Tom D had their other opening batsman caught behind. This left Cargilfield on 26 for the loss of two wickets and we seemed to be in the driving seat.
It would be another 100 runs before we struck again.
We didn’t have a very good day in the field. A simple run out opportunity was missed when the new batsman was on one – he went on to score an unbeaten 40! Fielders who were supposed to be saving singles didn’t. Catches were dropped (some easier than others). And our bowling was far too short when we should have been trying to take advantage of a dodgy wicket. George struggled with his line and length and went for 25 runs in his four overs. Fred bowled a decent line but was too short (his bowling that is). Cappy, once again, was accurate enough and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket. Peter bowled a mixed bag and could feature more in future matches. It was Tom D who got the final wicket of their innings when he bowled their star batsman. It was notable that all three wickets fell to pitched up balls – how many more would have fallen if more balls had been a good length?
So, we went in to bat with just over two hours to try and get 141 runs. Challenging but attainable. My instructions to the boys were, once again, simple (a reflection of me perhaps): stay in and let the runs come. Unfortunately we faced a very early setback when Tom D was bowled in the first over. Lochy then came in, defended two balls, left one, smacked one for four, edged one for four and was bowled off the sixth.
Two wickets down, eight runs scored, 133 to get and two hours still to bat. At this point it was essential that we steadied the ship for a while. This the two men in, George and Tom G, did brilliantly. Ten runs were scored in the next ten overs, a display of very patient and determined batting. It was also very frustrating for the bowlers. With an hour and a half still to play, the game was delicately poised: there was a chance that we could reach their total but we would have had to have scored at just over four an over to do so; there was still every chance that they could bowl us out, especially with the ball bouncing erratically off the pitch. In the end, we chose to secure the draw, first and foremost, and by the time that was done, there was little merit in trying to chase down their score.
Tom G was incredibly deliberate and focused. He batted for nearly one and a half hours for his 5 runs. George too was very patient although he did play a few more shots. He ended up on 34 not out, also batting for around one and a half hours. Tom G did eventually go out, walking when he was caught off the faintest of touches to his glove. This brought Will to the crease and he stayed in for forty five minutes, taking the bowlers on and playing some super shots. For most of the final hour, there were eight or nine men within twelve yards of the batsmen which meant that any ball solidly hit would go for four. Will played 11 scoring shots. One went for two runs, two for one run and all the rest went for four! He ended on 36 runs and we ended the match on 95 for 2 after 41 overs.
With so many wickets in hand, it may seem as though we missed the chance to go for the win – perhaps we did (Although, who among the players and Belhaven spectators would not happily have accepted a draw at tea?), but what the team did do was ensure that they did not lose, and bat with notable patience and concentration. That is something that not even international cricketers manage all the time (and something that England players manage very seldom).
Well done boys.
Batting Bowling
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Tom G
|
5
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Caught
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Tom D
|
0
|
Bowled
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|
Lochy
|
8
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Bowled
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|
George
|
34
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Not Out
|
|
Will
|
36
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Run Out
|
|
Tom S
|
|
DNB
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|
Peter
|
|
DNB
|
|
Freddie
|
|
DNB
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|
Rory
|
|
DNB
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|
Caspar
|
|
DNB
|
|
Dougal
|
|
DNB
|
|
Extras
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overs
|
Maidens
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Wides
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NBs
|
Runs
|
Wkts
|
|
Peter D
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
17
|
0
|
|
Will
|
8
|
1
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4
|
2
|
25
|
1
|
|
Tom D
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7
|
1
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0
|
1
|
24
|
2
|
|
Caspar
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
20
|
0
|
|
Freddie
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
13
|
2
|
|
George
|
4
|
0
|
5
|
0
|
25
|
0
|
Cargilfield: 140 for 3 (31 overs).
Total: 95 for 2 (41 overs)
Result
Match drawn.
Man of the match: W. Jack.
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