Pre-season workout for the 3s

Unseasonably warm and sunny weather greeted the 3s/4s Select for their pre-season friendly with the Peebles, who had come with 12 men. The captains agreed to play out the 40 overs regardless of how many wickets fell to make sure they made full use of the experience. The visiting skipper called correctly and opted to bat first.

Ru and Mark opened up for the home side and got an early breakthrough with Ru pinning opener Pace plumb in front. Common was joined by skipper Voas as the visitors rebuilt in the face of some accurate bowling from the U14 opening attack. The introduction of spin from both ends in the shape of Ewan and Euan produced several unconverted chances as Peebles upped the pace. With the score on to 93 Ru took an excellent catch in the deep off Euan to dismiss Voas for 49. Gordon Jnr joined Common and continued to move the score on with the help of some wayward bowling. Just after drinks Euan picked up Common, well caught at short extra by Ewan, and Mo replaced Al coming up the hill. In his second over Mo had Gordon caught on the hill by Gav and picked up Rimmer in his next over with a good low return catch. Chatt was looking comfortable at the other end but the other Voas was cleaned bowled by Mo. Gordon Snr hit a couple of nice shots before he fell to another excellent catch – this time from Mark diving forward at point off Ewan’s bowling. Chatt was next to go caught off Mo before he completed his 5-for with Clement taking an easy catch this time to account for Burns. Mark and Ru came back for the final overs and Mark got some return for some good balls when Ewan took an acrobatic effort, one-handed, to pick up the wicket of Common Jnr. Pace Snr and Norris saw out the remaining overs to see the visitors to 253 for 10.

After good tea, Gav & Feds set about the reply. Feds misjudged a ball from Gordon Snr that kept a bit low to be castled in the first over bringing Paul to the crease. He hit one crunching boundary but was undone by looping full toss from Common in the 4 th over. Ewan joined Gav and the young pair knuckled down but found scoring tough in the face of some accurate bowling from the experienced Peebles attack. They were able to put away the odd loose delivery and put on 55 for the 3 rd wicket before Ewan was caught for 15 off the bowling of Burns. Mo was unable to recreate his bowling heroics with the bat falling LBW 2 balls later. Clement came to the crease and hit some fine boundaries which acted as the perfect foil to Gav who was inching towards his half century. It eventually came in the 26 th over and the youngster retired. Ru joined Clement and hit a typically adventurous 30 before holing out to the returning Common. Clement mistimed one the next over to go for an entertaining 37. Euan and Mark both fell to Gordon Snr leaving Al and Max (subbing for an under the weather Charlie) to see out the final overs. Well behind the rate, they did manage to bring the 200 up off the last ball with Max smashing the ball up the hill for 4 to finish on 17 not out, comfortably outscoring Al (15*).

The accuracy of the Peebles bowling, particularly in the middle overs, was the major difference between the sides. It was still an encouraging batting performance from home the side to reach 200 as only one of the senior players really got going. Many thanks to Peebles for a game played in excellent spirit throughout. Perfectly matching the glorious weather.