Saideep Stars as Twos Tie

For each of the last two years the trip to Prestonpans has produced one of the stranger and more one-sided games of our season. In 2012, our then captain was "detained" leaving BAF and JB stranded in Edinburgh and when we eventually assembled ten players we were cuffed. Then last year more or less the whole Preston Village 1st XI was injured or absent and we routed them, with Gerry taking a six-for.

With a midweek selection crisis, 2014 initially seemed to threaten a repeat of 2012 but a more or less credible 2nd XI was cobbled together with the help of some well-known quantities from the 3rds and an unknown quantity in Saideep Kachodi, who had looked good in midweek but was making his League debut.

It was a grim, cold day. We lost the toss and were put in on a grassy track. BAF nicked off early to Ian Hawkins (9-1-36-2) and Adam Forsyth (9-2-20-3), opening from the pavilion end, bowled another excellent spell against us, quicker and shorter than in the past. When he removed Mike Nevin's middle peg we were 25-2 and 2012 seemed more likely than 2013.

By the drinks break, taken at 109-2, 2013 seemed on again as JB (40) found himself in the unusual position of junior partner/slow coach as Saideep (63) batted superbly. Four huge sixes (particularly one straight back over the PV captain's head after repeated, misplaced comments that everything was being hacked to leg) stood out but there was a lot more than power hitting to one of the most impressive debut innings I've seen in over 20 years at the Cross.

BAF coaches Saideep during that fateful drinks break. Photo: Broon.

Unfortunately the drinks break put 2012 back on the cards as JB tried to leave a sharply bouncing delivery from Shiraz Ramzan (9-1-34-2) and only succeeded in gloving it to the keeper, Buchie got a golden and Saideep fell lbw to Forsyth. But the tail wagged with Smudger (26) and Gerry (14), mostly deploying the slap-pull, rolling back the years and taking the score on to 174.

PV started slowly with Gerry (9-2-18-0) bowling the most economical spell of the day. Mark Powlett fell to Saideep and had chances been taken the Village People could easily have been 10 for 3. But Davie King (27) and especially Ramzan (48) are dangerous batsmen and, with Cross spurning still further chances and a couple of close shouts turned down, they added 54 before King was finally out lbw to JB. Ramzan and Ian Patterson (60) then added another 50 at 5 an over and 2012 was favourite again until Saideep caught Ramzan in the deep off Smudge. Patterson was batting annoyingly well - how many of his 18 career 50s have been against us?

Excited locals watch the action. Photo: McP.

With rain falling from about the 25th over, the scorers had retreated to the pavilion but messages were being sent out whenever PV were ahead on the DL. Thankfully, mostly thanks to Ian, common sense prevailed, we stayed on and played the game to a proper conclusion. With one over remaining PV were 170 for 4 and clear favourites. From the first five balls Saideep (9-0-36-2) conceded only one run and took the vital wicket of Patterson, caught and bowled - HX back in the box seat. But off the last ball, Alastair Dobie played what the PV website describes as a "top edged slog sleep" shot (sic - were his eyes closed?) over third man which plugged short of the boundary but far enough beyond the fielder for Forsyth to sprint the third. With PV finishing 174-5, a tie (15 points each) was a fair result - history made rather than repeated.

Thanks to PV for a game played in a fine spirit, for staying out in the rain and finishing the game and, as ever, for their splendid hospitality afterwards in the Goth.

From the Goth. We don't think they meant Saideep. Photo: Broon.