This was an excellent performance from the newly formed joint Carlton-Murrayfield-DAFS U-15 team who very quickly bonded into a strong unit in this opening match at Roseburn Park.
Batting first in glorious evening sunshine, the Carlton-MDAFS innings was dominated by a 73 run second wicket stand between opener Tim Harvey and Ben Falconer. Ben batted superbly, accelerating the innings with clean hitting – including one marvellous six – and sharp running between the wicket, finally retiring on 33 (1 six, 3 fours) in style with another fierce drive for a boundary.
Watsonians however battled back well with a flurry of wickets claimed by Jones (2-11), Henderson (2-12) and Richardson (2-5). Tim Harvey, who had steadied the innings, finally fell for a patient 19 to Henderson.
A final flourish with the bat by Ross Kneebone (11) and Keshav Arvind (9 not out) saw Carlton-Murrayfield-DAFS to 125 for 7 off the allotted 20 overs.
In reply, Watsonians never got going in the face of excellent tight bowling and no batsman got into double figures – M Henderson batting at 10 top scored with 7. Watsons finishing on 50-9 having recovered from 28-8.
The bowling was shared around the Carlton-MDAFS team with 9 bowlers used. The pick of the bunch Sam Galloway with 3-3 from 2 overs, and other wicket takers Louis Robinson with 1-7 from 3 overs, Keshav Arvind 1-1 from two excellent overs of spin, and Ross Kneebone 1-7 from 2 overs. Three well worked run-outs were also executed by the team.
Man of the match undoubtedly goes to Ben Falconer not only for his excellent 33 but also an excellent wicket-keeping display with constant encouragement provided to his new team mates from behind the stumps. |
