Bomber! Dunfermline Carnage as Cross Crushed by Honey Monster.

The 2nds travelled to Dunfermline with just ten men, but it looked a decent ten and the absence of several familiar faces from the Carnegie side, including Barney, Harris and Nellie, gave us some hope that we could do the double over the College.

While Ross T (or Cross Ross) was out early on to a lifter from G Ross, Bainbro was spanking it all over the place (well, all over the leg side to be more accurate) and at 49-1 at a good pace we were looking well placed. But Carnegie Ross (8-2-23-4) was bowling well, mixing rib music and yorkers, and it was a full ball that accounted for Bainbro for 29. When JB was bowled in the next over trying to cut a Khan delivery that turned and kept low, 49-1 had become 51-3 and early confidence was ebbing. Milly, BAF and Nevin all helped rebuild and push the score along, but it was a fine 40 from President Shifty, in his best block-block-block-thump mode, that was chiefly responsible for our eventual total of 142. On a sporting wicket that had shown some exaggerated bounce and turn that seemed pretty competitive.



Bomber - a Lancaster flies over Pitreavie. We'll order up a drone attack next time. Photo: BAF.

After easily the best tea I've ever had in Fife (highlights - chocolate cake and strawberries), Bainbro and Gerry opened the bowling. Early signs were again encouraging as Rob bowled some jaffas including one that squared Martin Honeyford up but didn't quite stick at slip. That was the first of four tough chances we missed, but any suggestion that Martin's excellent, match-winning innings of 90 not out was lucky would be badly misplaced as he pulled, drove and cut powerfully and defended sensibly when required. JB (5-2-21-2) briefly threatened to upset the victory parade, but bowled a horrible fifth over and was rightly yanked from the attack. Perhaps showers had deadened the pitch a bit, perhaps towards the end a wet ball was a little difficult to handle, but basically we didn't bowl well enough against a skilful and experienced batsman who is in fine form this year (340 runs at an average of 68). An 8 wicket defeat.

Thanks to Carnegie for a game played in good spirits, for an excellent tea (I know I've already mentioned it but it's important), for organising the various fly-pasts, and, especially, for the loan of young James Honeyford as our 11th man. He'll be a very good cricketer one day. I already have visions of the second generation of Honeyfords tormenting Crossers for years to come ......