152 for 7

Tom Barrett 53 not out

The biggest  triumph of the Sunday XI (or in this case the Sunday X) came in actually getting a side out on the park. Three late call offs led to Akeel being called from his sick bed and the ageing Junior Convener being asked to park his Zimmer on the boundary and join the mixture of young and old campaigners on the field. Add to that a sick wicket-keeper, and Shaun who was hobbling from his exertions of the previous day, and it’s fair to say that Musselburgh weren’t exactly shaking in their shoes as their opening batsman took to the field.

However, skipper Tom Barrett was undeterred and bowled a tight opening spell with the impressive William Brown operating from the other end. The hard hitting Anderson moved the score along and it took the leg-spin twins of Saif and Fergus to regain control for the home side. Fergus ended with 3 wickets while Saif added a couple of excellent run-outs to his wicket.

Set 152 to win off 40 overs, Carlton started solidly with Saif and 12-year old William impressing with sound technique and application. However, it was the father and son Barrett combination that dragged Carlton back towards the required run rate. Shaun found his legs were still moving even though he couldn’t feel them and the family partnership added a crucial 60 runs before a tiring Shaun bribed the umpire to give him out LBW. The whippet like Fraser joined Tom and the pair tore up and down the 22 yards to haul their side ahead of the rate. Although Fraser holed out and Akeel was soon dismissed as he hardly had the strength to lift his bat, Tom saw his side home with an over to spare with a fine unbeaten 53.

Great day for our youngsters. Read the Woodcutters' match report here.

172 for 6 (40 overs)

Brent Lockie 72 (retired)

A mixture of young and old and 2's, 3's and 4's players gathered at Grange Loan for the annual trip to Manderston for a friendly match.  Despite Ferg's hangover, he was still keen to get stuck into one particular member of the Manderston team, a certain P Swan.
 
The ground was soft, but in good order and we were asked to make first use of the soft but easy wicket.  Brent and Kyle opened up with a stand of over 50 with Kyle's stout defence being complemented by Brent's regular hitting down the ground.  When Kyle departed to a good catch behind, Guy followed and the scoring rate increased and we soon passed 100 with only 1 down.  Swanny came on to bowl and the Carlton lads made sure he would not be celebrating any wickets. Guy was replaced by Nick Martin who opened his shoulders and hit out well.  

Manderston were struggling to take any catches and eventually, Brent became too knackered to bat on.  Despite attempts to give his wicket away, he had to retire in the end, making a well made 72.  With Brent's retirement, the young 'uns took over and Fraser, Nick and Rajan all ran very well between wickets, running the opposition ragged.  Ferg faced only the last ball of the innings but was bowled trying to heave one out of the ground.  Our total of 172/6 off 40 overs was a good effort and all batsmen made good contributions.
 
The tea at Manderston is legendary and its reputation was justified.  Brad, the skipper, had eaten too much and so passed the new ball onto Hoof and DP, who both bowled well.  DP made the first breakthrough with a full toss LBW and Hoof bowled his spell straight through for 2/26.  Hoof bowled excellent areas and very straight and deserved his reward.  The skip couldn't make further inroads, but DC at the other end could.  He too bowled an immaculate line and finished with 1/20 off his 8.  At this stage, Manderston were well behind the rate and with 5 down, Carlton looked to be heading for an easy victory.  Not so, as the father and son Swans built a solid partnership, Peter especially batting very well.  The target was reduced substantially and with successful bowlers already bowled out, the skipper turned to the big man Ferg.  Swanny junior played and missed at a couple before going for a hoick and being bowled for 44, delighting the big man and ensuring Swanny endures a lifetime of torment.  

With one end opened up, the game was again on.  The skipper picked up one from the other end as we ended up starving senior Swan of the strike.  As Ferg bowled the last over, 13 were required.  A couple of dot balls ensured an 8 run victory in what had been an excellent and enjoyable game of cricket.  Special mention to the Carlton fielding which saved many, many runs, especially Kyle, Nick, Fraser and Rajan.  Overall, an excellent team effort.  Well done lads.

More photos