On a beautiful sunny spring evening at Grange Loan, Carlton Titans took on SMRH in their second U13 match of the season.  There was an expectant air around the ground as coach Hamish Gardiner, back from Scotland A duties last week, motivated the young team with wise words and captain Angus, taking his lead from  mentor and toss-maestro Fantasy Bob (see 4th Team reports passim), promptly lost the toss and Carlton were invited to bat.

Openers Ruairidh and Ben started slowly, defending but also playing and missing before Ben was bowled in the second over.  He was swiftly joined by Tom (lbw) and Ethan (run out without facing) leaving the Titans 13-3 in the fifth over and looking a bit rocky.  Angus and Ruairidh then steadied the ship, building a partnership of 43 in 6 overs to bring Carlton back into the game: Angus displaying a number of deft strokes and aggressive pulls in a quickfire 29 (five 4s) , and Ruairidh holding together the innings with some careful batting. Supported by some text-book batting from Gregor, Ruairidh then accelerated to retire for the second match in succession (31*, 5 fours).

Hector then set about the bowling with some lusty shots, with Gregor advancing to 12 before being caught and bowled.  Robert was stumped for 1, bringing in debutants Mark Devenney, who was unlucky to receive a high full toss which he could only glove away to slip, and Cameron Ede who looked tidy and finished on 1*. Hector saw out the innings on 12*, capping off a good recovery for the Titans from a shaky start.  111-7 certainly looked respectable but would it be enough?

Needing 5.5 an over the SMRH openers set off looking like they meant business, scoring 21 off the first 4 overs of accurate bowling from Tom and Ethan, before Ben snaffled the first caught-behind of his emerging wicketkeeping career from Hector's first delivery. Hector then bowled the other opener in his next over, but the incoming SMRH batsmen maintained their scoring rate and at the half-way point were on target at 52-2.  

The Titans then took two wickets for two runs; Ruairidh benefitting from a beseeching lbw appeal that only the most hard-hearted of umpires would have refused, and Ethan taking a rock-solid catch at square leg off Gregor's bowling.  SMRH batsman O'Hara hit back, taking the attack to Carlton with a series of boundaries before Angus found an outside edge which flew into the bucket hands of Hector at first slip.  Some tidy overs from Cameron and second wickets from Angus (ct Ethan) and Gregor (bowled top of off stump) wrapped up the final overs with SMRH falling nine runs short.

Particularly impressive was the outstanding fielding from every member of the Titan team - not a catch was dropped, and the enthusiastic diving and chasing helped to make the difference between the sides.  A full analysis of the Carlton batting, including a bewildering array of 3D wagon-wheels and graphs, can be obtained from Murray Whitaker who spent the first innings tapping furiously into the CricHQ app on his iPod.  A very enjoyable game that was close throughout, and many thanks to SMRH for making it such a good match. 

RAINED OFF

A game against Grange is always a tough prospect and this was particularly true for the Titans side that gathered at Newfield in the biting wind and cold. True to the spirit of the development aspect of the league both sides gave everyone a chance to get involved and Grange succeeded in ensuring that all the Carlton players had some time at the crease!

Grange batted first and posted a hefty total of 153 for the loss of two wickets. The Titans' bowling was mixed, everyone bowling some good balls but with too many offering the batsmen easy chances for runs that they were too experienced not to cash in on.

The Carlton reply got off to a breezy start, as it needed to with a required run rate of just under 8 an over. Ruairidh started with intent taking 8 off the first but was undone by a good length ball in the third. Angus joined Tom at the crease and batted with aggression and maturity keeping the Titans in touch until the halfway mark and his retiral on 30. The run rate slowed despite some good batting from Gregor for his 19. Unfortunately no other batsmen managed to get going until Hector came in at number 11, batting down the order after his spell of 4 overs. Angus returned for the last few balls and added 3 to bring his total to an unbeaten 33. The Titans did succeed in meeting their goals of scoring over 100 and ensuring that we were not bowled out but fell 41 short of the main goal.

Everyone was involved and everyone learnt something from the game .... . the experienced players learnt the need to keep their concentration going at all times if they want to build an innings, the newer boys all had some time at the crease even if runs proved elusive for many. There was some good running between the wickets with a sharp eye kept out for byes.

Thanks to Grange for a good game played in a good spirit.

As the coach, parent manager and day's captain of the side arrived at the Boghall ground they congratulated themselves on being a mere three minutes late for the 5.30 meet time...only to be embarrased by the sight of the rest of the team, organised in their own warm-up drills, and looking like they didn't need any of us! Actually it was impressive to see that the boys were serious enough about their game to go about the business of warming up on their own initiative- well done.  

Carlton won the toss and elected to bat. With Hector bowled in the second over, in form batsmen Beattie and Kujawa were soon in the runs, the latter scoring a quick-fire 30, with Angus taking a little longer at the crease until he unleashed himself in the 8th over which he plundered for 21 runs, including two 6s and retiring on 32. Meanwhile young Cameron Ede had come in at number 4 and impressed with some good technique spending a long time in the middle, holding an end as batsmen came and went around him. Ahsen, Ruairidh and Archie all went cheaply and the runs seemed to dry up as both Cameron and Gregor struggled to get the ball away. Gregor eventually found his form and hit a much needed 24 before losing his wicket. Cameron meanwhile observed form his end. Ben then came in with intent to be positive which was hitting two thumping 4s before being caught in the deep on the point of a third. Ethan came in at 10 with intent to score in the dying overs and was joined by Robert when Cameron eventually fell playing across a straight one for a fine 9. Ethan and Robert were both positive finishing on 10 apiece at the end of the 20th. 135 looked like a good total, though it could have been less as the Titans benefitted from a few dropped catches.  

In reply West Lothian got off to a very positive start with Blumski and Anderson both looking good and keeping up with the required run-rate until Ruairidh came in to bowl in the 7th and delivered a devastating over which ripped the heart of the innings out with 3 wickets in 4 balls. West Lothian never really recovered though the Titans couldn't quite deliver a killer blow and the game just went the full 20 overs with Angus also in the wickets, taking 3 for 3 from his spell. A victory by 28 runs.  

Overall a good performance from the Titans. Thanks to West Lothian for being hospitable hosts and a game played in good spirit.  Thanks too to Simon Kujawa for scoring the second innings.....a bit of a longer  stint than the 5 minutes that he was asked to do!

At a surprisingly sultry Peffermill (only 10'c with wind chill, up from the usual 5), Carlton took on a depleted Heriots side, restricted to 7 players due to the rigours of school activities week.  So, plenty of bowling for the Heriots boys, lots of fielding practice for all and, with Hamish deciding to leave the boundary flags set somewhere over the horizon, lots of practice running between the wickets.

Carlton openers Ruairidh and Gregor Mc started steadily before a running mix-up was compounded by Ben D'Ullise (sub for Heriots) running out his team mate with a direct hit.  Angus and Gregor put on a partnership of over 40 before retiring on 20* and 23* respectively.  Tom then achieved his third retiral in as many games, supported in particular by Cameron Ede and Mark Deveney who both retired on 11*, and with Archie Robertson completing the innings with a cameo 6* including a beautiful straight drive for four.

Opening bowler Robert Sizer then struck with his second delivery, and with partner Douglas Blood removing two batsmen in the second over (including his older brother Broy, with something that approximated a rueful grin), Heriots were stuttering at 7-3.  However, a solid recovery from Heriots batsmen Thomson and Crummie showed Carlton that they weren't going to get it all their own way, putting on a brief stand of 22 before Ruairidh got himself involved in the next two wickets: first catching one from Tom's bowling, then grabbing one himself caught by Robert.  A second wicket for Tom and two in an over for Cameron completed the innings, the last over including one sharp catch by Angus who had said that he'd fancied a go behind the stumps and came away muttering that it was all much harder than it looks.

With Carlton winning by some distance, it was a game for everyone to get involved and bravery medal goes to debutant Lachlan Stephen for turning up with a fractured finger. The team did very well to keep their concentration and spirit in the field, and particular mentions to youngsters Cameron and Doug who both bowled well, fielded with enthusiasm and will have plenty more to offer the U13 level in coming years.

On the final scheduled match of the league season, Titans beat Grange Gladiators in what in the end was a comfortable victory on a slow pitch at Newfield.

 
Put into the field, Carlton bowled tidily and accurately throughout with all outfield players bowling 2 overs apiece.  The opening pair of Gregor (0-13) and Hector (0-9) made a solid start, but their efforts were overtaken by the parsimonious bowling of Douglas (1-7) who took first blood with a catch by Ruairidh at cover.  Grange batsmen Grant and Hawthorn then put on a stand of 35 before Mark (1-5) snaffled a wonderful cauught-and-bowled after a dive and a spot of juggling.

 
This was the breakthrough Carlton needed, and the next three wickets fell for just 12 runs, 2 for Ruairidh (2-7) and one for Robert (1-11), including one low catch scooped up by Angus in the covers.  Cameron (0-9) and Aryan (0-15) completed their overs very tidily, and Angus (2-0) finished the Grange innings with a pair of wicket maidens, including an excellent overhead catch by Hector.

 
A superb performance in the field, with a couple of very close run-out chances and lots of encouragement within the team.  Worryingly, even the parkbench pundits at the interval were left cautiously speculating whether Grange were perhaps about 20 runs shy...

Ruairidh and Tom gave the Titans a watchful start, batting very sensibly until one of those moments that only gets pieced together afterwards: Ruairidh flashes at a wide delivery, huge appeal for a catch behind, not out says Umpire David Main, then celebrations from the fielders as Ruairidh ignores his Dad, does the honourable thing, and walks.  Absolutely the right thing to do - well done Ruairidh.

Angus was next to the crease and after carefully seeing out the opening bowlers, set about the spinners with 2 fours and a six over midwicket before top-edging a sweep to square leg for 18.  Hector then played a few genuine shots before misjudging one and being bowled by the offspinner.

Through all this excitement Tom kept on playing a senior player's innings, defending the good delivery and punishing the bad, before retiring for his fourth Titans innings in succession (30*).  Then Gregor Mc (14*) and Ben (5*)  calmly chased down the last runs, finishing with a stylish four from Ben and 3 overs to spare.

Well done to everyone for a truly team performance, solid running between the wickets and some great all-round bowling.  A shame the league fixtures have run out, as the team is really starting to gel, but after last season's washout we really can't complain.  And thanks too to Grange for a good game played in a positive spirit.  

 

Carlton Titans
Ruairidh Main	c T Simpson	H Simpson	14
Tom Kujawa	c McWhirter	Shand	23
Angus Beattie	retired		50
Gregor McIntyre	bowled	Shand	40
Hector McKechnie	not out		38
Ben d'Ulisse	not out		1
Ethan Wood	dnb		.
Archie Robertson	dnb		.
Aryan Singh	dnb		.
Mark Devenney	dnb		.
Calum Everett	dnb		.
Extras			27
TOTAL	for 3 wickets		193
Carlton Chargers
Gregor Shand	c Wood	Beattie	35
Murray Whitaker	bowled	Kujawa	49
Harry Simpson	lbw	McIntyre	8
Finley Giles-Book	bowled	Singh	6
Ben Swann	bowled	Singh	1
Alastair McWhirter	c McKechnie	Beattie	9
Tom Simpson	c d'Ulisse	Singh	0
Sakib Akhtar	not out		4
Rory Garbutt	bowled	Beattie	0
Euan Burgess	not out		2
Gregor Farrer	dnb
Extras			61
TOTAL	for 8 wickets		175