Skipper's top knock inspires 2nd win for 1sts

Holy Cross 205ao (49.4)
E. C. Smith 90
S. Pickering 22
R. Dannreuther 21
K. Fraser 17

D. Lewis 4/40

Glenrothes 165ao (39.2 overs)
J.Scott 45
C. Ross 43

S. Bonfield: 10 overs, 2/20.
R. Worsnop: 10 overs, 4/48
C. Ellis: 10 overs, 2/45
I. Astley: 6 overs, 1/36
D. Russell: 2.2, 1/2.

After under-performing against Glenrothes in several recent games, events followed a familiar pattern as a series of soft dismissals left us struggling at 57-4 and then (despite useful contributions from Simon and Keith) 129-7. The pitch was damp but perfectly playable after Friday's downpour, while the short boundary on the western side made scoring a little easier.

We were helped by some wayward Glenrothes bowling (including 18 wides) but in the main our above par 205 was built upon the efforts of our strong lower order (especially Roland at 9) and, in particular, Euan’s fine knock. The skipper accelerated at just the right time and consequently we dominated the final 14 overs (in which we scored 80). A key feature of Euan’s innings was the severe treatment he meted out to anything short – especially from Boyd. By the end he was also striking his drives with confidence; including a six over extra cover. Unfortunately he got a thin nick to the next ball and thus fell short of a deserved hundred (but still reached his highest 1st team league score).

Shannon dismissed key bat Boyd with his 2nd ball (not his best-but they all count) and we soon had the squeeze on the Glenrothes batting (14/1 off 7 overs), with Robin getting Morrison and – just as he was getting going – Honeyman, via a fine catch from Simon. OA Scott started solidly before exploding in the 20th over, hitting Robin for 6, 4, dot, 6, 4 with a series of fine strokes that threatened the buses in Ferry Road. Just as he threatened to wrest control of the game, Keith took a good catch near the midwicket boundary. We subsequently retained control of the game; despite some sloppy bowling from the dibbly-dobblers, a rapid 43 from Cammy Ross and a cocked-up run out attempt. Some solid catching from KF, Calum (2 each), Euan, Robin and Dougie helped us close out the game. These were just the type of catches we put down regularly last season. All that fielding practice is already paying dividends…

Glenrothes' view of events (plus full scorecard) here:

http://tinyurl.com/o3v8u8

Evening News' East League roundup
http://sport.scotsman.com/cricket/Cricket-McGrath-leads-by-example.5276176.jp

Ed Smith? Euan did bat well but not sure he quite looked like a test bat...

Mind you neither did Ed Smith.
At least the Evening News managed to spell Robin's surname correctly..