Too Many! Cuik Spoil 2s' Day.

It was a funny day. Perhaps only two or three batsmen ever looked completely comfortable all afternoon, yet nearly 450 runs were scored, at nearly 5 an over, and only 12 wickets fell, four of them in a single over.

The key to Penicuik's total of 230 for 7 was two huge stands: 99 for the second wicket between Steve Thomson (64) and Ross Liddle (38) and 101 for the fourth between David Adams (36) and Cameron Crawford (60). Thomson's was a canny, intelligent innings, Crawford's brutal and the 'cuik scored at 6.5 an over after drinks and nearly 10 an over off the last five.

We made and missed a few half and quarter chances (and one dolly), but our attack was a little out of sorts. Gerry was still struggling with a yoga injury (Lord of the Dance pose? Plank?) and managed only three overs. Dave Sharpe, a late call-up for his once-every-seven-years game for the 2s, bowled valiantly. But only Vikram (9-1-24-4) really got on top of the batsmen. Indeed he was in such fine fettle that his first burst was a full five overs rather than the usual four. Just as against Marchmont the 45th over yielded two bowling points - this time four wickets fell as Vik followed a BAF run-out with three wickets in the last four balls.

BAF nicked off in the first over to Crawford (9-2-35-2) and JB (54) and Ziggy (66) set about rebuilding in a stand of 85. JB in particular rode his luck early on, but when he was out, trying to push on, in the 23rd over, a platform of sorts had been built, even if we now needed to accelerate as dramatically as 'cuik had done earlier. With Ziggy becoming a little becalmed, Tom (38) looked most likely to provide an innings to match Crawford's. But by the time he was bowled by Liddle (9-2-43-2) in the 38th, the required run rate had mounted to double digits and we needed some Vik fireworks.

Against some disciplined bowling (special mention here to young Murray: 7-0-27-0) and a deep-set field, that never quite happened - indeed, most uncharacteristically, there wasn't a single boundary in Vik's 20 not out. We finished on 211 for 5. Nine points pretty well-earned and a big improvement on the first game against the Kirkhill men, but perhaps the main impression left behind is that with a little more self-confidence this game could have been won.

Thanks to Penicuik for another game played in good spirits and with plenty of good chat. We hope to see you again next season.