Teenage kicks: Smudger's Seconds fall to Burgh Boy Wonder

An unfamiliar 2nd XI took on their Musselburgh counterparts at Arbo on Saturday in the East 5 league clash that saw the East Lothian side head back down the A1 with full points.

The 2s, under the temporary stewardship of Smudger Smith, fielded no fewer than five players who had been regulars in the 3rds as the Cross looked to keep themselves in the promotion hunt.

Musselburgh batted first with seasoned campaigner Ahmed and the youthful Jack Latchford, a 15 year old Australian kid who, based on what was about to unfold, has a great cricketing future ahead of him.

Amjid opened the bowling and it took him just two deliveries to make his mark, despatching Ahmed back to the visitor’s portacabin for a duck. Little did Ahmed know that the next time he would have the chance to catch up with his opening partner would be at the end of the innings!

Webb keep up his impressive bowling run keeping it tight and after the opening 10 overs, Musselburgh were 27-1. Ray finally made the next breakthrough in his second over, forcing Aussie Tucker (a decidedly apt name for a day blessed with BBQ weather!) to surrender his wicket for 28.

The lengendary Lohan got in on the act with a double, taking Martin and Tufail with Bates, suffering by this stage due to a nasty knock on the hand from another scorching Latchford cut, taking the scalp of the dangerous Gatner in between.

Webb ended the wicket taking seeing off Maini but it was the Jack the Lad who earned a guard of honour as he left the field at tea having stayed in since the opening over, amassing a tremendous Not Out total of 184.

After the fine spread laid on by the Crossers, the home side went out to overcome the 309 total with Din and Webb opening. Din appeared to be the bystander as Webb went out to try and take on the world with an emphatic knock, hitting 11 boundaries before being bowled for 58 (out of the HX total of 68 so far) by Burton.

Amjid was frustratingly run out on 17, Ray went cheaply for 4 and Smudger got the slightest of edges to head back for an early shower / take the dog for a walk as the middle batting order slumped.

Steadfast displays from Russell (38) and Lohan (17) brought respectability to the scorebook and Bates secured an unbeaten half century in the final over. McIntosh came in at the death, getting himself a single before losing his wicket whilst looking to hit Martin’s delivery towards New Field but only succeeding in being stumped!

So, a total of 209 which saw Cross gain full batting points. A performance that, on another day may have been a match winner, but it wasn’t to be. A fearless 15 year old with age grade honours back home showed that if you are good enough, you are old enough!