Tranent Trounce Thirds

[pvb reports on the 3rds]

HX 3rds v Tranent

Tranent’s talented side deservedly trounced Holy Cross at Campbell Park, but one has to say that it was not a great contest.  Mark Anderson’s wonderful display of hitting gave HX too big a target (265); but it wasn’t just him – Aiden’s powerful strokes over extra cover and Adnan’s lofted drives gave Tranent a fine start. Keith bowled splendidly and took 2-24.

I noticed a tweet which mentioned that Mike dropped Mark on nought – a tad harsh I think since half our side would not even have managed to run the 20 metres to get their hands to it – it was a splendid effort. So was Ted’s brilliant slip catch – Ian Bell should be taking lessons from him. Dave Sharpe’s absence meant that we used 9 bowlers and a first wkt ever for Ted, a first wkt in 10 years for Paul, and a first wkt off a double bouncer for Craig. There was serious danger of the game being abandoned as ball after ball vanished over the hedge, and pvb was pondering what happened if neither side had a ball to play with – match abandoned I guess.

After last week when the team went form 22-0 to 45 all out in 12 overs, some caution was needed, so Paul tried to bore Tranent to death. Mind you it is not simple scoring off Adnan who bowls the majority of his inswinging balls on a good length on leg stick and then swinging down leg, and Mark as we know would test Div 1 batsmen. Our own Mark C woke everyone up when he came in with his extravagant shots and topscored with 31; we were aiming to get 150 which would have been maximum losing points. As with Hawick Tranent has no weak bowlers, and reaching the 150 target looked a pipe dream till Mark called Paul for a quick single to gully – it was a masterstroke and brought  other freeflowing batsmen to the crease. After a short downpour Richard hit a wonderful 6 over long on and 18 quick runs, Keith followed suit with a lofted four off Mark’s ninth over ( yes ninth – but a diplomatic solution was amicably reached), and we scored 135 – 9 bonus points in all, perhaps a little generous for such a thumping .

Thanks to Tranent & Scott for excellent hospitality at Campbell Park; theAsian lads have transformed  the team and they would compete well in Div 3 / 4, and we wish them well.