An LMS warm-up between Carlton Crocodiles and team Magic 8 (Carlton Ladies) took place at Inch Park on Mon 12.5.14.

Paul Reddish and his Team, introducing LMS to Scotland for the first time set a long boundary on a sluggish field ensuring low scores. Electing to bat Magic 8 endured a persistent Carlton attack, the under-stated Craig Burgess achieving 2 for 4 and batter Ruth Willis scoring a creditable 30 from Magic's total of 49.

In reply Carlton began strongly with 10 for 0 from 2 overs before slumping disastrously to 19 for 7 in a collective homage to Messrs Chaplin and Keaton in a series of stumbles, scoops and fluffs. Only Brian Gill, as Last Man, showed mettle, with 27 before finally succumbing leaving the Crocs 11 adrift.

LMS Carlton Crocodiles league campaign began in earnest a week later, on 19.5 at Inch Park against team Social Select VIII.

To a shortened boundary, put into bat, Social Select began well with openers Pringle and Singh scoring 58(r) and 27 respectively, before the depth of Carlton bowling curtailed the run-rate in the latter part of the innings, Alastair Grier achieving an impressive 3 for 1 from 2 overs, Select closing on 109.   

As riposte, Carlton openers Paul Kentish and Maurice Allan squarely dealt with the Select attack. Although neither quite attained the privilege of retiral (out for 47 and 46 respectively) enough damage was done for the lower order to step in and seal Select's fate, Paul Watts pasting a couple of long hops to the cover boundary in the penultimate over. Victory to the Crocodiles by 3 wickets.

The Carlton Crocodiles began their 3rd season on Sunday 1st June, against a team of Penicuik CC reserves for a 25 over game.

The strategically staggered Carlton arrival, under fair if overcast conditions, ensured they took the batting honours despite losing the toss.  Facing a tight accurate opening attack from  Penicuik bowlers Blisset and Picken(O), Carlton moved to 12 for 3 following the loss of David Main, Pradeep Amarawardene and Alastair Lees, when John Beattie arrived at the crease to join opener Paul Kentish. A partnership of 54 then followed, only broken by Kentish's retiral after reaching a score of 41 following a craftsman's innings, containing a number of blistering boundaries, Beattie providing stalwart support before being unfortunately run out for 11 after an adept piece of Penicuik fielding by Picken(R). Thereafter the Carlton tail managed a moderate wag, Craig Burgess walloping a couple of 'fours' in his total of 9, ending on 92 for 7. Of the Penicuik 3-over stints, Picken (O) took 2 for 1 and Perry J took 2 for 3.

Coming in to bat, Penicuik openers Charleson and Bryen scored healthily against the accurate opening attack of Amaravardana and Phil McIntyre, before Paul Kentish took 1 for 2 runs in 3 overs with a series of deathly inswingers and Martin Firth 3 for 8 with a blink-of-an-eye one handed c&b following hotly upon 2 sets of shattered stumps. Sadly, Carlton cricketer Alastair Lees left the field prematurely after dislocating his right shoulder in the process of valiantly preventing a boundary. Thereafter Carlton showed bowling depth with contributions from Brian Gill, Paul Watts (1 for 3 from 3), Craig Burgess, David Main and Beattie, restricting Penicuik to 85 for 8, Carlton winning by 7 runs, Blisset for Penicuik stubbornly resisted to the end, scoring his first club 'six'.

Penicuik CC were gallant losers, providing excellent hospitality in the form of pies, beans and pub, in the clubhouse to round off he day. It would seem that the Crocodiles are now a force to be reckoned with on the cricketing landscape. We wish Alastair a swift recovery from his injury and a relaxing time in Brazil over forthcoming weeks.