Ists Overcome Availability Crisis

For the first time in long while, HX failed to get 3 Saturday teams out, and we also had to concede today's Presidents' Trophy match vs Westquarter.

An availability crisis of monumental proportions led to the core of the 2nd team moving up to the 1sts, leaving the 2nds with effectively the 3rds. Unsurprisingly they lost heavily to Grange 3rds after being bowled out for just 46 [not sure what Lord Admin will make of that].

At Kirkhill, the 1sts scrambled a win, making heavy weather of chasing 100, albeit in tricky batting conditions.

An odd game of cricket began with an unfamiliar '1st XI' taking the field -several players making their 1st or 2nd ever 1st team appearance.

The wicket was reasonable given that it was under covers for 2 days but  gave assistance to the bowlers. The humid conditions certainly helped the ball swing.

After a slightly loose start, Jules & Shannon got their act together. Assisted by some ambitious drives from the Penicuik, and some unexpectedly sharp slip catching, wickets fell at a steady rate.
Ross (2/29), in his first 1st XI bowling spell for the 1sts, bowled a dolly mixture of a spell, including some wild ones but also several jaffas, including a cracker to dismiss their well-set opener, Steel. Meanwhile CJE was boring the batsmen to death before Shannon returned to complete a fine five-for (10-3-13-5).
A 26 run 10th wicket partnership was a bit disappointing, though it allowed Dan to take his first Ist XI wicket.

A vibrant start led by Spickers was halted by a flurry of disappointing shots, leaving us 33-3 and the game in the balance.
Ross kept things with a very handy 25 and a typically positive Julius (18) spanked a massive six before holing out. When Dom was bowled we were 85-7 and teetering.

With the prospect of stand in skipper Dougie being forced to bat with a painful hand injury, Shannon and BAF helped us get  over the line. Hardly an ideal batting effort but -given the poor availability-any type of win can be celebrated.