Weekend roundup – 9th/10th July
The weekend started early with the Over 50s taking on their counterparts from Watsonians at Grange Loan on Friday evening. After a negotiated toss it was agreed that the visitors would bat first. The home side restricted Watsonians to 104 for 7 from their 20 overs with Stu Dawson leading the way with the ball with 2 for 11 from his 4 overs. In reply Keith Murray & Pete Deakin both retired having reached 30 and Paul Kentish (21*) saw the Over 50s home in 15th over.
On Saturday the 1st XI travelled north to Lochlands to take on Arbroath United. Captain Tom Simpson lost the toss and the home side chose to field first. Gav Murray & Shujaa Khan opened up and put on 38 before Murray nicked off. Simpson joined Khan and had just completed a 50 run partnership when the skipper fell for 22. Arun Pillai didn’t last long but Hayden Laing (38) gave Khan good support as the opener went past 50. Khan eventually went for 65 and the middle order injected a bit more urgency. Neville Madziva hit 32 from 31; Shiv Gupta 24 from 23 and Angus Beatte 13 from 8 helping Carlton post a total of 247 for 8 from their 50 overs. Madziva picked up an early wicket but a strong second wicket partnership was eventually broken by Beattie with the score on 110. Rory Allardice then picked up the prized wicket of Arbroath’s South African international pro with 108 runs still required. Khan then chipped in with 2 further wickets followed by a second for Beattie. Madziva came back and struck immediately and a run out from Beattie put Carlton in a strong position. Ruaridh McIntyre claimed the 9th wicket and then Madziva took the final wicket to finish with 3 for 30 as Carlton completed a 27 run win in the 49th over.
The 2nd XI welcomed Gala to Grange Loan in round 11 of the ESCA Championship. Skipper Ben D’Ulisse lost the toss and the visitors chose to bat first. Omar Ahmad struck with the first ball of the match but it took another 12 overs before there was more success for the home side with Ahmad claiming a second with the score on 73. Saif Khan then chipped in with one but a good fourth wicket partnership was building. The introduction of Kyle Macpherson to the attack brought the next wicket in the 33rd over with the score on 158. Macpherson claimed a wicket in each of his next two overs and then Harry Simpson struck to reduce Gala to 172 for 7 in the 38th. Max D’Ulisse came on claimed the next wicket and Macpherson then picked up his fourth leaving it to the young off-spinner to wrap things up in the final over to bowl the visitors out for 202. The Carlton reply never really got going as both openers fell early. Macpherson and Ru Main attempted to rebuild but Macpherson went next with only 29 on the board. Main was next to go for 28 and with only Mo Nauman (17) and Simpson (15) reaching double figures, the 2s were bowled out for 89 in the 28th over to lose by 113 runs.
The 4th XI welcomed Linlithgow 2s to Meadows 2 for an ESCA Division 4 clash. Captain Al Murray lost the toss and the West Lothian side chose to bowl first. In challenging batting conditions the 4s lost their first wicket in the 8th over with 23 on the board. 4 more wickets fell before drinks and at 61 for 5 another low score was looking likely. Rory Ledingham (25); Ben Stronach (22) and Paul Kentish (62) however made sure that the 4s reached a decent total as they were bowled out for 169 in the 38th over. Stronach and Fraser Kentish took the new ball and the Linlithgow openers survived a challenging few overs before Kentish eventually made the breakthough in the 10th over with the score on 33. Stu Dawson then came into the attack and struck immediately, removing the other opener. Charlie Kentish replaced his brother and picked up wickets in his second & third overs. Dawson claimed a second as the visitors were reduced to 55 for 5 at drinks. Dawson claimed another immediately after the break and when he & Kentish were bowled out Joe Ward and Murray came on and picked up the final 3 wickets to bowl the visitors out for 68 in the 29th over for a much needed win.
Also on Saturday the 5th XI entertained Stew Mel 4s at Cavalry Park 2. Skipper Keith Murray lost the toss and the 5s were invited to bat first. Murray went in the first over but a fine 101 run second wicket stand between James Stronach (76) and Martin Robertson (42) put the 5s in a strong position. Mike Kennedy hit a typically aggressive 59 and despite a clatter of lower order wickets Robbie Murray (23*) and Aadi Khadse (17) helped the 5s post an impressive 262 for 9 from their 40 overs. Despite Robbie Murray picking up a wicket in the third over Stew Mel scored freely in the chase. At drinks they were 129 for 3 with Khadse & Stronach the other successful bowlers. The onslaught from the visiting batters contined and depsite Murray claiming a second Stew Mel cruised past the total in the 36th over for a 6 wicket victory, thanks largely to an undefeated century from opener Joe Grace.
The 3rd XI were due to play Dunfermline & Carnegie on Sunday, but the visitors requested the fixture be moved due to the clash with Eid celebrations. It will now be played next Sunday at Grange Loan.
With Grange Loan free on Sunday, the Mixed Dev XI took the opportunity to host a friendly agaisnt Edinburgh South. South batted first and scored over 200 in their 30 overs. Aadi was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets and Noah, Harvey, Finlay & Hamish also picked up a wicket each. The total proved too much for the young Mixed Dev side but Hamish hit an excellent 29 in reply as the sun beat down at Grange Loan.