Weekend roundup 31st July/1st August
The 1st XI hosted Heriot’s in a top of the table clash, kindly sponsored by Jill Millar in memory of her late husband Frank. Skipper Ally Evans won the toss and chose to bat first. Arun Pillai (3) fell early, swiftly followed by Tom Simpson (1) and when Shujaa Khan (11) was bowled in the 12th over the home side looked to be in a spot of bother. Fraser Burnett (8*) and Hugo Southwell (6*) took the score to 43 for 3 in the 15th over before persistent drizzle forced the players from the field. The weather refused to clear for several hours and the game was abandoned.
The 2nd XI travelled to Meigle Park to take on second placed Gala. Captain Pete Deakin lost the toss and the home side chose to bat first. Rua McIntyre struck early but Gala consolidated. Calum Everett, replacing McIntrye, picked up the Gala No 3. Rory Allardice was introduced to the attack and pitch conditions encouraged Deakin to put short leg in place, immediately inducing the Gala opener to offer up a return catch. The new batsman hit a few boundaries but also fell to a return catch, this time to Harry Simpson. Two more wickets fell in quick succession, including a catch at short leg by Murray Whitaker. The Gala pro was then run out from more sharp work by Whitaker but the 8th wicket put on a further 60 runs to finish on 202 for 7 from their 50 overs. Rain caused the loss of some overs so the 2s were set a revised target of 191 in 45 overs. The 2s lost wickets at regular intervals, and despite contributions from Ben D’Ulisse (44*); Whitaker (20); Hayden Laing (27) & Allardice (22) the lack of meaningful partnerships saw Carlton bowled out 17 runs short in the 39th over.
The 3rd XI made the short journey to Meggetland to take on Boroughmuir. Brad McKay won the toss and inserted the home side. Callum Sibley claimed an early wicket and then the skipper pitched in with two quick scalps to put the visitors in control. Saif Khan also picked up a couple of wickets but the Boroughmuir No 6 was seeing the ball well. He found some support from the lower order and despite two wickets for Charlie Kentish and a third for McKay the home side posted 208 for 8 from their 40 overs. Anish Amin and Ben Thurman got he chase off to solid start and Thurman was the first to go for a well made 50 off only 26 balls. Amin found good support from Charlie Kentish (26) and Paul Kentish (27) but then the opener was run out for 62. Mo Nauman was bowled for 10 but Euan Keatinge (10*) and Matt Wells (2*) saw the 3s home to a 5 wicket win in the the 35th over.
The 5th XI, after several changes of venue took on Gala 2s at Double Hedges. Skipper Keith Murray won the toss and invited the visitors to bat first. A strong opening stand of 93 was broken by Euan Murray and the same bowler claimed the second wicket with the score on 120. Kyle Burgess came back into the attack and bowled the Gala opener for a fine 78. Zaara Dancu also came back and picked up 2 quick wickets but he visitors finished on 196 for 5 from their 40 overs. In reply, none of the 5s top order really got going. Only Mike Kennedy (41) found any sort of form but despite his efforts the 5s were bundled out for 108 in the 33rd over.
On Sunday morning Carlton Women hosted a hardball pairs development game against Clydesdale at the Inch. Carlton won by 13 runs, taking 6 wickets including 4 run-outs. Good contributions all round with a notable improvement in the bowling. Great senior debut for Maira with both bat & ball and strong batting from Holly & Charlotte.
Later on Sunday the 4s welcomed Peebles County to Grange Loan. Skipper Al Murray lost the toss and the home side were invited to bat first. Zaki Yusaf & Dougal Main opened up for the 4s but Main dislocated his knee in the first over and had to retire. Shuaib Farooq joined Yusaf and the pair made a strong start before Yusaf holed out for an entertaining 35. Andrew Lang was pinned in front first ball bringing Rory Ledingham to the crease. The youngster rode his luck and brought up 50 with some aggressive shot-making, before nicking off for 53. Farooq (43) was out LBW shortly after and the middle order chipped in with some useful runs – Stu Dawson (36); Murray (43) and Amit Bij (25*) – as the 4s finished on 266 for 6 from their 40 overs. Mark McKay took the new ball and picked up the first 3 wickets. Lang, coming on first change, struck immediately as did Bij and the experienced pair hoovered up the remaining wickets. Lang finished with 3 for 6 and Bij 4 for 0 as the visitors were bowled out for 48 in the 19th over.
Also on Sunday the Mixed Development XI took on Gala 3s at the Inch. The Borderers score 122 for 5 in their 30 overs with wickets for Rahul Khadse; Euan Murray; Paul Bailey and a brace for skipper John Beattie. In reply Carlton came up 49 runs short but their were creditable performances from Hector Murray (25) and Beattie (17).
Also on Sunday there was the annual Dads & Lads game at Peebles. Carlton scored 222 for 6 from their 30 overs with juniors Robbie Murray (30*); Finlay Thompson (25*) and Oli Stones (22) taking the batting honours. In reply, Peebles were bowled out for 102 in the 29th over with wickets for Oli Stones (2); Paul Stones (2); Ian Thompson (2); Gus Turner (1); Theo Griffin (1); Finlay Thompson (1) and a run out from Hamish Turner.