1st XI v Ardvreck
Ardvreck travelled down to play the Belhaven Hill 1st XI in a limited overs match here at Belhaven Hill. It was a beautiful, warm day and the home spectators enjoyed the fine weather and the fine cricket.
Ardvreck won the toss and elected to bat on a good, solid wicket that played well throughout the match. Forsth opened the bowling for Belhaven Hill and began with a maiden; this was bettered by Rogers F. The next over when he began with a wicket maiden. The batsman was well caught by the other Rogers boy, at point. It was a fine start to the game. Two overs later, Rogers F. Added a further two wickets to his tally, but just couldn’t secure the hat-trick. In his final over of the opening spell, Forsyth bowled his man at that meant that Ardvreck were in trouble on 21 for 4 after 8 overs.
Rogers C. and Innes Ker took over the bowling duties. Rogers C. struck in his first over when his man was caught by Plowden (a fine catch). A few overs later Innes Ker struck and then struck again, getting two wickets in two overs: one bowled and one caught behind. After 16 overs Ardvreck had a total of 42 runs for 7 wickets. They were only to score a further 24 runs in the next 14 overs.
Farr and Roberts bowled next and both did well. Farr collected two scalps – both caught – and Roberts, although he didn’t get any wickets, bowled well and maintained the pressure on the batsmen, going for only two runs in his four overs.
Although the Belhaven Hill bowlers could not get the final wicket, the runs had all but dried up and Ardvreck limper through to 66 for 9 off 30 overs. Credit must be given to their opening bat who proved to be very obstinate and saw the innings through – a lesson in determined batting.
My instructions to the batsman at the start of Belhaven Hill’s innings were simple: stay in and the runs will come. I’ve said that in the past and it hasn’t happened (Merchiston). Today it did. At last. Thank goodness.
Innes Ker showed a lot more confidence at the crease and apart from one or two loose shots, played very well for his 14 runs. He was eventually, in the 15th over, beaten by a good, quick ball. Both Innes Ker, and Farr were very patient and didn’t play balls that they didn’t have to. This frustrated the batsmen and when the inevitable loose balls came their way, they took advantage of them to score enough runs to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
With Innes Ker’s departure, Stodart joined Farr at the crease and the run rate picked up a bit. Each of these boys was struck quite hard by the ball when facing (it served them right as neither was moving his feet as he ought to) but I was very impressed with their composure thereafter. In the end neither of the boys could be removed from the crease, and Farr struck three bold shots off the 16th over to earn two fours and a two to score the winning runs. Very impressive.
Once again, I was very impressed by the team’s performance in the field. The bowlers bowled accurately and the fielding was sharp. Catches were held and singles were restricted. The captain set his field well and the vice captain never stopped (I mean that) encouraging the team. Not many boys had a chance to bat but all those who did, batted patiently and intelligently. Well done indeed.
Batting Bowling
|
George IK
|
14
|
Bowled
|
|
Ollie
|
25
|
Not Out
|
|
Tom S
|
18
|
Not Out
|
|
Geordie
|
|
DNB
|
|
George C
|
|
DNB
|
|
Fred
|
|
DNB
|
|
Dougal
|
|
DNB
|
|
Douglas
|
|
DNB
|
|
Will
|
|
DNB
|
|
Caspar
|
|
DNB
|
|
Henry
|
|
DNB
|
|
|
|
|
|
Extras
|
12
|
|
|
|
Overs
|
Maidens
|
Wides
|
NBs
|
Runs
|
Wkts
|
|
Dougal
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
11
|
1
|
|
Fred
|
6
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
20
|
3
|
|
Caspar
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
15
|
1
|
|
George
|
5
|
2
|
3
|
0
|
5
|
2
|
|
Farr
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
5
|
2
|
|
Henry
|
4
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
Ardvreck: 66 for 9 (30 overs).
Total: 69 for 1 (15.5 overs)
Result
Match won by 9 wickets.
Man of the match: Ollie
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