08/06/2001 v MONTROSE

lost

It was agreed to play a 30 over match because of the uncertain weather, with a maximum of 6 overs per bowler. Since Old Dartechs, were fielding a weak team , particularly in he bowling department, this posed a bit of a problem.

The game started well, with Jock stumping the opener from Richards first ball. This was a pretty routine stumping by Jocks standards, he had enough time to take the bails off at the third attempt. This brought Grant Merrill to the wicket, and he hit a couple of good binaries, which demonstrated how well the pitch was playing and how fast the outfield was. Richard got him out with a slower ball which Grant skied to Adam at long off. The relief on Adams face was a joy to behold, and justified, since the ball was extremely wet and slippery by this stage.

Richard got another wicket from a slower ball which move in off the wicket to knock out the off stump, and Bob chipped in with a similar ball. This left Montrose in trouble at 46 for 4, however both Bob and Richard has bowled their allocaion of overs. Neil came on at one end, and took a couple of wickets, however there was no regular bowler at the other end. Montrose took full advantage of some cafeteria bowling by Deal and Pete Smith, and one went on to make 99 not out. Even Jock had a bowl after passing the gloves onto Clive, he didn’t bowl badly gained the notable distinction of getting a stumping and a wicket in the same match.

Montrose finished on 174 for 7, and trooped off looking forward eagerly to some truly excellent pilchard sandwiches. (The toffee bakewells went bd either)

The sun came out at Tea and Neil and Clive set about trying to score the runs required. Some extravent hooking from \clive, and a few boundaries from Peg, meant that the run rate was adequate, however Neil played all round a straightish ball from Merrill and was bowled. Jocks arrival at the wicket co-incided with a change of bowling, and Jock did not get away to his usual fast start. Clive, though had settled in and was picking up some useful singles , before uncharaxteristically missing a ball which hurried on a bit to be bowled. Jock finally got going , but was given out LBW, in somewhat controversial circumstances (at lest Jock thought it was controversial), Adam was also given out LBW, and Pete Smith was run out by a direct throw. Guest Mark Cunningham played well for his seven, and belied his lack of experience. However without Martin being around to provide his now customary steel to the lower order, the Old Dartechs innings petered out to 116. The skipper did make a useful 29, hitting lustily to the legside.

All in all a slightly disappointing match, we probably would have given them a much closer game with our usual side out. Set against this was th general satisfaction with the facilities at the new ground, even though Stringers early shower was luke warm (did it get hotter later lads ?). Nice pitch though , hard and bouncy- just like I like them (I’m still talking cricket here…).