Sorry for the delay in posting this but I was that hammered in the wee hours of Sunday morning that I couldn’t see my Blackberry screen, let alone the buttons on the key pad, to actually send out an e-mail when I got home and Sunday itself was spent feeling very sorry for oneself whilst being engrossed in what transpired to be the final day of a successful Ashes series (sorry Shannon).
The 2s travelled to Falkland on the Saturday knowing that a win would mean that Largo needed to win their last two fixtures against the two top teams in the league to avoid relegation at the 2s' expense.
The day started well with Brian Fraser arriving on time at Arbo courtesy of PVB and his leash and we experienced no traffic difficulties in our journey bar getting lost in the grounds of the Falkland estate which resulted in Smudger clearing an area of shrub which can now be used for planting next year’s harvest. We lost the toss and were asked to field first on the genuine field that is the outfield surrounding the artificial strip at Falkland. Thankfully the skipper didn’t need to ask the bowlers the end they would prefer bowling from because, unlike the Falkland 1st XI square which only has a slope at one end, we were playing on an upturned bowl with several players lost in action during the course of the game at both ends at once.
Andy G and Smudger opened the bowling but were unable to get a breakthrough. Shammoooooooooooooooooooooooooo then came on and produced his best bowling spell of the season taking four for 25 in his 9 overs. This was aided by some good sharp catches leaving Falkland on about 60 for five. During the course of Shammooooooooooooo's spell, skip decided to revert to type and make a game of it (well, we had travelled a very long way to get a game) by dropping their no5 whilst on about 15. He promptly took a liking to Gerry and raced on to 49. He also took a liking to JB’s bowling, but thankfully eventually holed out to what was by all accounts a fantastic left handed diving catch at deep backward square about 6 inches off the ground by Andy G. I say by all accounts as I couldn’t actually see the final moments due to fielding 20 feet beneath the playing surface at long off. The rest of the innings plodded on with wickets falling regularly to our excellent bowling attack that included a very gifted 16 year old, Usama.
Falkland finished on 138 for 9 with Smudger bowling slow finger spin after taking pity on the young tail – he’d never have done this when he was skip! Bowling figures as follows:
A.Graham 8-1-16-1
C.Smith 8-1-17-0
Shammoooooooooooooo 9-2-25-4
G.Lohan 9-3-23-1
J.Bates 6-0-33-2
U.Shazad 5-0-12-1
Having enjoyed tea whilst watching a batting collapse on the main square we managed to replicate the performance ourselves as we slumped to 15 for 5 off the first 10 overs. Cometh the hour, cometh the men. Andy Quinn and Brian Fraser then put on north of 50 to keep us in the game (the 3rd 50 partnership that Brian has been involved in in the last 3 games). It wasn’t flash, just sensible straight batting by both. When Brian fell with the score on 72 we were still way short but had plenty of overs and a long batting line up. (I have come to the conclusion that we don’t have a tail in the 2s. We merely have several top order batsmen that have fallen under a collective curse whilst the lower order players bat as if they deserve to be playing for the 1s. Shammooooooo opened on Saturday and soon fell under this spell). Andy Graham strode to the crease with a purpose and was soon smiting any delivery in his arc. The run rate never got above four for any length of time and soon fell to below 3. The Falkland team began to look bemused and soon discovered the joy of having 4 skippers in the field at once. With Andy Q progressing smoothly and largely untroubled, we passed 100 and were soon in touching distance of the required total. Andy Q deservedly becoming just the third HX 2s player this year to pass 50! (52no). Andy G hit the winning runs (a 4 with the scores tied) with an over and a half to spare ending his inning on 36no. Job done. 15 for 5, followed by 127 for 1. Tis a strange but glorious game. Many thanks to all the midges that came out to support us.
We retired to the bar at Falkland to learn that Largo had tied their match. With the rumour spreading that we were safe we hurried back to Arbo to confirm the news, hear that the 1s and 3s had won too, and then get plastered before heading on to listen to Gerry and his band, go to a club, then McDonalds, then that magic tardis which gets you home to your bed and awake the next morning without a scooby of what happened in between.
Well, that is it for the 2s for another year. Thankfully this season’s roller coaster ride has ended on an upslope and relegation has been avoided. Many thanks to all those that have contributed to the 2s' cause this year and helped us in fulfilling fixtures, gaining valuable points in games we have lost, and getting us across the finishing line in games that we have won. In addition, many thanks for all your patience with the 2s' skipper and his various rants (overt tolerance rather than covert as I can’t believe that there would not have been any mutterings in the background about madness and loosing the plot). Finally, a word of thanks to those that keep the club going and to you all for making this club what it is.
Although the season is over for the 2s, the 1s and 3s are yet to finish their season. 1s play at Watsonians next Saturday. 3s play on the Sunday and will hopefully confirm promotion from division 8. If successful, this will prove to have been a good year for the club with the 1s near the top of division 1 for most of the year, 2s not getting relegated, 3s going up and the small matter of the President’s Trophy being won. I hope that as many of you as possible make it to Awards Night next Saturday to take a look at this magnificent trophy and to discover just how heavy it is when trying to drink port out of it!
C'mon the Cross!
The 2s travelled to Falkland on the Saturday knowing that a win would mean that Largo needed to win their last two fixtures against the two top teams in the league to avoid relegation at the 2s' expense.
The day started well with Brian Fraser arriving on time at Arbo courtesy of PVB and his leash and we experienced no traffic difficulties in our journey bar getting lost in the grounds of the Falkland estate which resulted in Smudger clearing an area of shrub which can now be used for planting next year’s harvest. We lost the toss and were asked to field first on the genuine field that is the outfield surrounding the artificial strip at Falkland. Thankfully the skipper didn’t need to ask the bowlers the end they would prefer bowling from because, unlike the Falkland 1st XI square which only has a slope at one end, we were playing on an upturned bowl with several players lost in action during the course of the game at both ends at once.
Andy G and Smudger opened the bowling but were unable to get a breakthrough. Shammoooooooooooooooooooooooooo then came on and produced his best bowling spell of the season taking four for 25 in his 9 overs. This was aided by some good sharp catches leaving Falkland on about 60 for five. During the course of Shammooooooooooooo's spell, skip decided to revert to type and make a game of it (well, we had travelled a very long way to get a game) by dropping their no5 whilst on about 15. He promptly took a liking to Gerry and raced on to 49. He also took a liking to JB’s bowling, but thankfully eventually holed out to what was by all accounts a fantastic left handed diving catch at deep backward square about 6 inches off the ground by Andy G. I say by all accounts as I couldn’t actually see the final moments due to fielding 20 feet beneath the playing surface at long off. The rest of the innings plodded on with wickets falling regularly to our excellent bowling attack that included a very gifted 16 year old, Usama.
Falkland finished on 138 for 9 with Smudger bowling slow finger spin after taking pity on the young tail – he’d never have done this when he was skip! Bowling figures as follows:
A.Graham 8-1-16-1
C.Smith 8-1-17-0
Shammoooooooooooooo 9-2-25-4
G.Lohan 9-3-23-1
J.Bates 6-0-33-2
U.Shazad 5-0-12-1
Having enjoyed tea whilst watching a batting collapse on the main square we managed to replicate the performance ourselves as we slumped to 15 for 5 off the first 10 overs. Cometh the hour, cometh the men. Andy Quinn and Brian Fraser then put on north of 50 to keep us in the game (the 3rd 50 partnership that Brian has been involved in in the last 3 games). It wasn’t flash, just sensible straight batting by both. When Brian fell with the score on 72 we were still way short but had plenty of overs and a long batting line up. (I have come to the conclusion that we don’t have a tail in the 2s. We merely have several top order batsmen that have fallen under a collective curse whilst the lower order players bat as if they deserve to be playing for the 1s. Shammooooooo opened on Saturday and soon fell under this spell). Andy Graham strode to the crease with a purpose and was soon smiting any delivery in his arc. The run rate never got above four for any length of time and soon fell to below 3. The Falkland team began to look bemused and soon discovered the joy of having 4 skippers in the field at once. With Andy Q progressing smoothly and largely untroubled, we passed 100 and were soon in touching distance of the required total. Andy Q deservedly becoming just the third HX 2s player this year to pass 50! (52no). Andy G hit the winning runs (a 4 with the scores tied) with an over and a half to spare ending his inning on 36no. Job done. 15 for 5, followed by 127 for 1. Tis a strange but glorious game. Many thanks to all the midges that came out to support us.
We retired to the bar at Falkland to learn that Largo had tied their match. With the rumour spreading that we were safe we hurried back to Arbo to confirm the news, hear that the 1s and 3s had won too, and then get plastered before heading on to listen to Gerry and his band, go to a club, then McDonalds, then that magic tardis which gets you home to your bed and awake the next morning without a scooby of what happened in between.
Well, that is it for the 2s for another year. Thankfully this season’s roller coaster ride has ended on an upslope and relegation has been avoided. Many thanks to all those that have contributed to the 2s' cause this year and helped us in fulfilling fixtures, gaining valuable points in games we have lost, and getting us across the finishing line in games that we have won. In addition, many thanks for all your patience with the 2s' skipper and his various rants (overt tolerance rather than covert as I can’t believe that there would not have been any mutterings in the background about madness and loosing the plot). Finally, a word of thanks to those that keep the club going and to you all for making this club what it is.
Although the season is over for the 2s, the 1s and 3s are yet to finish their season. 1s play at Watsonians next Saturday. 3s play on the Sunday and will hopefully confirm promotion from division 8. If successful, this will prove to have been a good year for the club with the 1s near the top of division 1 for most of the year, 2s not getting relegated, 3s going up and the small matter of the President’s Trophy being won. I hope that as many of you as possible make it to Awards Night next Saturday to take a look at this magnificent trophy and to discover just how heavy it is when trying to drink port out of it!
C'mon the Cross!
Posts
Can i just say, that Gerry's band were top notch and a really good gig!!!
ReplyDeleteThe singer was top drawer. I'll be going back.
ReplyDeleteOur batting collapse was nothing compared to Carlton 3rd XI v Peebles - after 1 over they were 1-4! Meanwhile Ani Majumber and Fergus Whatley who scored about 190 against our 2nds, were promoted to their 2nd XI in Div 1, and smashed the Boroughmuir bowling around (50 in the first 6 overs)
ReplyDelete