Match conceded by RH Corstorphine who could not raise a team

Match Drawn

Damp pitch, dull evening but a sparkling first match of the season for the team.

In the face of some typically aggressive big hitting from DAFS opener Ben, our lads stood firm and persevered, with good bowling and fine, energetic ground fielding. Captain Kamran gained in confidence as the innings wore on, encouraging his team mates in a manner that belied his years. But for numerous dropped catches, the opponents total would have been much less - save that is for 3 brilliant catches from Joseph. As the figures show, Charlie was the pick of the bowlers, but young Ruaridh bowled a splendid spell of mixed flight and pace - the damp pitch nullifying any spin.  

In reply, Kamran and Joseph opened well, picking off the bad balls and playing the good ones sensibly. With the partnership on 25 Joseph nudged a rising ball to the wicketkeeper, and this brought Alex to join the captain. The runs flowed, and Kamran retired on 31, with Alex going on to make an excellent 27* - very strong on anything piched middle to leg. Charlie hit a fine-looking straight drive for 4, before falling shortly afterwards - he will surely make lots of runs this season.   Unfortunately, fading light brought the match to a premature conclusion with an honourable draw the outcome.

Great attitude from the team, enjoyable first outing and we'll practice those catches this week, won't we lads? 

Dreadful weather welcomed our close friends and rivals Watsonians to Peffermill. There was a howling, biting wind as the teams took to the field, and made bowling difficult for the young Watsonians.

Still, their bowlers stuck to their task, and our openers Tom and Gregor made slow but steady progress. Tom top scored with an unbeaten 23, but Gregor and Angus impressed by dispatching the loose delivery.

So 87 was the target for Watsonians, with the weathers worsening as light rain filled the air. Our opponents task was made harder by fine opening bowling by Ruaridh & Angus, removing the top 3 batsmen.

And when first-change Ben capped a fine spell with a wicket, Watsonians were 14-4 and our lads were on top. However, the spirit to play cricket in these conditions was impressive from both sets of players, and Watsonians knuckled down to end on 45.

Just how Murray held on to 2 fine catches at cover in freezing conditions in poor light is anyone's guess. For the record, Sam, Archie W and Andrew picked up our other wickets.  

You know, cricket's a fine game, but it might be better if Lothian League organised games during the summer! Look forward to the return, Watsonians.

Rained Off

A fine evening at last, and Tom won the toss and invited SMRH to bat first on the artificial strip at Ferry Road. Liam and Ruaridh opened the bowling for us and bowled well, with Liam more consistent with his line this time. Ruaridh impressive as always with his leg spin. However the only wicket came from a smart run out, with Alex fielding cleanly and bouncing a throw to Liam who gathered and flicked the bails off in quick time.

Angus & Ben were the first change bowlers who struck with 5 wickets between them. Ben trapped the top scoring opener plumb lbw, and his accurate, wicket to wicket bowling also brought him a double wicket maiden. Zaid and Alex bowled impressive, aggressive spells, but SMRH reached a fair total in posting 70. You know, I've been down at Ferry Road with the juniors over a fair number of years now, and we've never scored more than 65 (and not always lost either). So we had our work cut out.  

But were our opening batsmen impressive, or what? Tremendous concentration and composure from Tom Simpson & Murray Whitaker (both primary schoolboys) saw us through into the 40s before Tom was dismissed to a fine caught & bowled.  Alex came and went quickly, but younger brother Cameron provided fine support to Murray until falling to a full toss out of a fading sun. Liam came in, and applied a cool head to see us through with a few overs to spare.  

We try to keep a fine balance with this side, mixing extremely promising youngsters, with the power and athleticisim of a few older lads. And give these older lads their due, they were extremely solid tonight. Alex, Zaid, Liam and Ben put in some outstanding work in the field, covering those long boundaries, with swift accurate throwing. Best of all -  Zaid picked up a superb catch at square leg off an Archie full toss, diving full length in front getting 2 hands to the ball. Magnificent stuff, and all round example to the youngsters.  

Oh, let's not forget captain and wicketkeeper Tom, an excellent all round match, snapping up a fine, up-at-the-stumps catch off Archie's bowling.  

Many thanks to Lawrance (as always) for the invitation to play this friendly - much appreciated by players on both sides.

What a marvellous match for the grade. Both teams splattered with fine cricketing prospects, and determined sportsmen.  

Carlton batted, and Murray & Gregor put on 59 for the first wicket - only ended when Gregor retired on 34. Gregor's innings was a joy to watch, including five 4's, coupling fine strokemaking with excellent opening batting technique. Now if Gregor overshadowed his partner in run-making, young Murray displayed an equally admirable opening batsman's attitude in supporting Gregor. Good technique, excellent running and a smattering of good shots as well - super Murray! Exhillerating stuff - you should have been there!! But we're not just a two man batting team - far from it and our middle order batsmen built on the start by pushing the total onto 109 with Kit, Callum, Archie and Sam striking the ball well.  

So, 109 gave us a chance (but remember it was Arboretum Road...)   Our opening bowler, Zaid put the Grange openers under pressure straight away and picked up 3 wickets in a fine spell. However, the Gators were scoring at a fair rate, but our lads were performing very well in the field keeping things tight in the small outfield. So, 3 run outs helped our cause, with Sam striking the wickets directly from the boundary not once, but twice. However, despite Ben taking a wicket, and fine bowling elsewhere from Ruaridh and Max, Grange prevailed with their young No. 8 the matchwinner - retiring on 30.  

So, best performance by the team this season, against good opposition, but most impressive was the attitude of our lads as they strove to take the final wickets, yet keep the run rate down. Untimately, we didn't quite make it, but it was great fun to be involved, with super ground fielding from the whole side. And, er, well done Grange!!

Rained Off

Match conceded by Penicuik who could not raise a team