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2nd XI v Merchiston
Belhaven's best botttled it as Merchiston manoevre win
by our Fair Weather Reporters - Sonny Skies and St. John Skin
Lost by 5 wickets
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Belhaven Hill
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35 all out
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Merchiston
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36 for 5
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Put in to bat by Merchiston the intrepid duo of Andrew and Ali strode purposefully to their respective creases. The Merchiston bowlers were accurate but not quick or tricky - but maybe the Belhaven batsmen thought otherwise!
In the second over catastrophe struck. Ali decided to go on the front foot and make a cover drive. Unfortunately for him he did not follow through very strongly and dollied a catch to mid on. Two balls later Andrew played all around a full toss and was bowled.
To lose two wickets with only 2 runs on the board was ominous but at least Leo ‘The Beast’ would crash the bowling around, surely. And he would be quietly supported by Angus ‘Biker’ Harley.
The Beast certainly slogged his way to 17 very valuable runs whilst ‘Biker’ played shots but did not score many and was done by a good length delivery that he played over the top of.
Two balls later The Beast was tamed as he dollied up a catch to point. This point fielder was going to be busy for the next few minutes!
But what on Earth was going on? Total collapse - that’s what! All this had taken place in 6 overs. And then came an over’s respite during which the total moved on by a massive 4 runs - Archie Rettie and Big Man providing the excitement.
No way! This couldn’t be happening. Big Man refused to move his feet and was comprehensively bowled whilst swinging his bat mightily and the following delivery Hamish C-J, newly arrived at the crease, decided he didn’t much fancy any of it and produced a carbon copy of Big Man’s efforts. Result? Two more batsmen back in the pavilion for no runs!
The TAW, determined to right the wrongs of his last innings, at least put up some resistance and kept the good balls out. Good to see him put straight bat to straight balls. However, it looked as if the other batsmen did not share his ideals as they collapsed in three overs.
First Archie just did not believe in letting wide balls go by - not Archie. Runs were needed so let’s hit everything! Sadly for him on an extremely wide delivery (outside the line by a good way) he tapped it in the air to point - obviously thinking this fielder needed to be brought back into the game again! Archie was taken out of it after point caught it!
Harry Clough,Cap Edward and Charlie Riley came in and went out for 2 runs. Such a shame as all three looked as if they have the possibility of scoring a few.
The Cap played a glorious cover drive for his single but was then ignominiously run out (here is not the place to air recriminations, though!). Harry was also run out without even facing a ball and Charlie also felt sorry for point and gave him another catch!
Total scored? 35. Overs faced? 12. Feeling? Worried!
It is always difficult for bowlers if there is not much to bowl at. But both Leo and Angus did a splendid job for 8 overs aided and abetted by some interesting Merchiston batting. In the second over a mix up provided a run out and in the third over a rather bizarre event got a second.
The batsman skied the ball straight above his head. Because of the bright sun all were blinded and could not get to the relatively easy catch. However, after an age, the ball descended and landed with a dull clunk between batsman and stumps. Three fielders had surrounded the little arena in their attempt to get somewhere close to where the ball was going to land. TAW pounced, got his hand on the ball, fumbled it and saw it squirt away towards the stumps where it dislodged the bails. TAW also noticed at the same time that the batsman was out of his crease, jumped into the air and yelled ‘howzatt’.
The umpire’s finger was raised and Merchiston was 8 for 2. Could this game be saved? The Beast and Biker thought so as they took a further wicket each. A few wides and very fast leg side deliveries caused Charlie to dive around and Mr. X. T. Ras scored 17 (not Charlie’s fault by any means!)
But at 19 for 4 anything could happen. Today, though,was not going to be Belhaven's. Two catches were dropped and although Ali took a wicket with a great ball, the writing was on the wall. (What did it say? Ed) Andrew bowled well and this time set his field sensibly. He was unlucky not to bowl a couple of batsmen as they were swishing about.
In the end 35 was just not a large enough total to defend and after 10 overs Merchiston had knocked them off. But it was actually an exciting and entertaining game - short, full of incident and everyone got something to do - albeit for a very short time! What more could anyone ask for? (A win, obviously. Ed)
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David Peek, 23/05/2010 |
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