The Undies made a winning start to the 2010 campaign on Wednesday with a very convincing display against Craigclowan.
Winning the toss and batting first, Jamie Farr was unluckily dismissed in the very first over, the ball hitting the inside edge, then his pad before trickling backwards onto the stumps. However, Jock Stodart in his first match for the under elevens, and captain Hughie Brooks steadied the ship, putting on a partnership of 47 before Jock was caught trying to whip the ball through the leg side.
54 for 2 quickly became 57 for 3 as Hughie lofted a drive straight back to the bowler, but Constantin de Rosen, joined George Watson at the crease and both looked assured, particularly on the leg side. They added 27 before Constantin was bowled for 10.
Enter another making his debut, Freddy Younger. Confident from the start, particularly when running quick singles, Freddy breathed new life into the innings. George Watson, at the other end, followed his lead, and for the next half hour at least a run was taken from almost every single delivery as the pair manoeuvred the ball cunningly between fielders. It was a lesson to all in how to keep the scoreboard moving, how rotating the strike can irritate bowlers and fielders, and that you do not have to hit the ball to the boundary to score quickly.
By 3.45 we had amassed 158 for 5 and were in a position to declare the innings. George Watson had reached an excellent 50 not out on his debut, and Freddy Younger with 29 had shown that he is a tough man to get out. For those who, unfortunately, did not have an opportunity to bat, it might have seemed tough at the time, but as a team, it was a truly excellent batting display.
With such a large target to defend, there were opportunities for the bowlers, and they took them just as well as the batsmen earlier in the day. Duncan Mackenzie and Christian Thomson set about Craigclowan from the off, and after six overs had reduced the opposition to 5 for 4. When Mungo Harley found himself on a hat-trick in his first over of under 11 cricket, it was clear that we were in the box seat. Craigclowan, in fact, were 8 for 6.
George Watson, Jamie Farr and Hughie Brooks then each bagged a wicket as we dismissed Craigclowan for 35 to win by a very convincing margin of 123 runs. The odd slip in the field shows that there are things to work on over the coming weeks, but a convincing win to start the season does wonders for the confidence of the team. Well done all.
MAN OF THE MATCH: George Watson
