125 all out

Nathan Pietsch 26, AJ Williams 24, Nick Martin 20

202 all out

Nathan Pietsch 5 for 19, Mohammed Ahmed 2 for 18

New skipper Akeel Aslam put his faith in youth as he handed the new ball to U15 duo Mohammed Ahmed and Rajan Bhopal. Both youngsters rose to the challenge, earning a wicket apiece in their opening spells. Nathan Pietsch picked up a deserved 5-fer and Nick Hunt turned in a fine spell of off spin bowling.

However it was Broomhall's Jamie Grant who turned in the performance of the innings. Surviving a strong run-out appeal early on in an incident that saw Rajan having to retire injured, Grant went on to hit an unbeaten 131 in an innings of 202.

Despite a spirited batting dislay from the Carlton side, for whom Nathan, AJ and Nick Martin scored 20s, a big partnership proved elusive and the 3s tasted defeat for the first time since 2006.

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85 all out

Dave Carter 5 for 10, Dave Prosser 2 for 20

88 for 4

Nick Martin 19 no

They said he was finished ... they said he couldn’t take wickets in Division 5 ...

Well, actually nobody would dare say anything of the sort about President Carter. But if they had, DC delivered the perfect retort in his first outing of the season. He started with a wicket maiden and continued in the same metronomic fashion (bar an aberration that resulted in two consecutive fours) to end with figures of 5 for 10. With his old bowling partner Dave Prosser backing him up with 2 for 20, the opposition were dismissed for 85.

After tea, Fraser opened with his mentor Shaun (who is delighted to have found a 16 year old who still listens to him) and they started confidently before Fraser missed a full toss and was LBW. Charlie came in and demonstrated how to deal with full tosses by despatching one for six before falling LBW himself (if there’s a league table for giving LBWs the player/umpires of Carlton 3s and 4s must be near the top). Another couple of wickets went down but a fine unbeaten partnership from the rapidly improving Nick Martin (19) and AJ Williams (15) saw the 3s to a comfortable win.

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158 for 7

Tom Barrett 58 no, Fraser Boyd 23, Ian Thompson 20

135 all out

Fergus Guppy 6 for 19, Akeel Aslam 2 for 27

He’s told us often enough, so we really should have believed him: Fergus Guppy is a matchwinner!

Carlton were put into bat by the hitherto unbeaten visitors and after opener Fraser departed for an entertaining, if hardly chanceless, 23 they found runs hard to come by against an impressive Dunfermline bowling attack. The introduction of 16 year old Tom Barrett , batting at number 5, upped the run rate as the teenager showed – not for the first time – that he has an old head on young shoulders. Batting confidently from the outset, Tom mixed judicious defence with a range of fine attacking shots to finish unbeaten on 58 as the 3s posted a competitive total after their 45 overs.

The Under 15 opening bowling attack of Mo Ahmed and Rajan Bhopal started impressively as Carlton kept the run rate under control from the outset. However, with no wickets on the board and overs in hand, things looked bleak for the home side as they entered the final 20 overs or so. It was the skipper who made the vital breakthrough, clean bowling the opener then following up with a successful LBW appeal.

Still, the visitors remained overwhelming favourites and Akeel found that he could no longer ignore the extravagant warming up exercises of Fergus Guppy, who also used his remarkable vocal techniques to pierce the Grange Loan fog and bend the captain’s ear. Coming on as sixth bowler, Fergus paid heed to his colleagues who urged him to pitch the ball up, taking a remarkable (but thoroughly deserved) 6 for 19 to carry the 3s to victory. Well done the big man.

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48 all out

Steven Elder 6 for 18, Dave Carter 2 for 8

Akeel invited Guy to open the batting with him and the pair got the home side off to a good start before the skipper edged behind. JB then joined the fray demonstrating his usual blend of sturdy defence and punishing drives and pulls. Guy hit the boundary regularly on his way to his half-century before JB departed one short of his 50. AJ then played the perfect supporting role to Guy, who eventually holed out going for a six up the hill that would have brought him a well deserved ton.

A total of 223 saw the 3s enjoying their tea and after the interval it was Steven Elder, emerging blinking into the sunlight after a cricket-free period on night shifts, who got his teeth into the visiting batsmen. His first two wickets came in the space of two balls, the second to a brilliant slip catch from JB – his first of three. In all, six wickets came Stevie’s way in a superb spell and with Hoof picking up one and DC two, it was left to Alan Murray to put the seal on a crushing win with the last wicket.

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209 all out

AJ Williams 57, Martin Robertson 40, Chris Hoefling 24

100 all out

Rajan Bhopal 4 for 13, Mo Ahmed 2 for 21

The Aussie maestro was desperate to get his first big score of the summer and he had clearly stumbled upon the perfect pre-match routine this week – get completely wellied the night before and crawl home to bed at 4.30 am. This dedicated approach paid off big style as he strode majestically to his 50. His concentration was such that he wasn’t even distracted by a semi-streaker, clad in skimpy attire – although he did take time out to invite the lady to show him her ‘assets’. Although he was nearly caught next ball, AJ pulled himself together just in time to reach a well deserved half century.

When AJ finally retired due to dehydration (well, technically he was bowled) Martin Robertson strode purposefully to the wicket, wisely deciding that the day was too hot to run singles. He dealt almost solely in spectacular boundaries – the best a big six over mid-wicket – before being bowled, complaining loudly that it was unfair of the opposition to bowl straight.

If Falkland had any realistic plans to chase 209 they were soon undone following a hugely impressive opening spell from young Rajan Bhopal. Rajan picked up 4 in all, with 2 each to Mo and Hoof and one apiece from the slightly more experienced DC and JB. Highlight of the innings though was a sensational diving catch in the deep from Scott Duncan.

Top of the league for the 3s!

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192 for 7

Akeel Aslam 2 for 34

191 for 9

Fraser Boyd 45, John Barnes 35

After Nick M departed early, Rajan (promoted to his preferred position of opener) and JB got the 3s off to a good start. After both departed, it was left to Ian and Fraser to keep things going and, not for the first time for Carlton, they built a fine partnership. Ian, as always, mixed common sense with good technique, while Fraser, restored to the middle order, at last transferred his batting form from the nets to the middle. While these two were together a big score looked possible. However, the combination of (very) slow bowling and an unpredictable pitch finally proved the undoing of Ian as he departed with the partnership on 67. The remaining batsman became bogged down and departed to injudicious shots and it was left to DC and young Fergus to smite a few mighty blows to take the 3s to a respectable 191.

After Rajan and DC bowled their 18 overs with combined figures of 2 for 30, and Akeel picked up 2 wickets, there appeared to be only one winner. However, some very loose bowling and a series of dropped catches invited the home side back into the game and had steam pouring from DC’s ears. The president finally looked to have broken the destructive 6th wicket partnership when he took a fine catch on the outfield, only to look down and see that he had put a foot into the undergrowth (i.e. over the boundary.) Ian Thompson finally made the breakthrough with his off-spin but it proved to be too little, too late and Leith ran out deserved winners with an over to spare.

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71 for 0

Nick Martin 36 not out, Ian Thompson 25 not out

68 all out

Keith Murray 3 for 6, Dave Carter 3 for 11, Chris Hoefling 2 for 18

Heavy overnight rain soaked through the covers rendering the prepared strip unplayable. A hastily prepared alternative was cut and rolled and it was no surprise when Akeel elected to bowl on winning the toss.

Hoof and Blackie, who was making his first appearance of the season, started well with Hoof in particular sending down some unplayable deliveries on his way to 2 for 18 off his 9.

DC then came on and tormented the young Grange batsmen, ending with figures of 9 overs, 4 maidens, 3 for 11. Just when the visitors must have thought it couldn’t get any worse, Akeel turned to spin and he and Keith Murray had a field day with a spitting and turning surface. Keith was at least able to tell his missus that she was right to let him out to play as he finished with figures of 3 for 6 as Grange were routed for just 68.

Both sides agreed to turn straight round without tea in an attempt to beat the weather and any thoughts that this might be a stiff total on the sporting wicket were soon dispelled by a fine partnership between Ian Thompson and young Nick Martin. Nick, who looks more impressive with every innings, mixed sensible defence with some fine offside strokes, while Ian employed all his experience to ensure Carlton cruised to a 10 wicket win.

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212 for 6

Nathan Pietsch 2 for 41, James Blackmuir 2 for 42

107 all out

Zaki Yusaf 22, Fraser Boyd 20

This brought Jamie Grant, Carlton’s nemesis from the opening day of the season, to the wicket. Facing his first ball, Grant edged a delivery from Nathan down the legside where Fraser took a fine diving catch. Full marks to the Broomhall batsman who walked immediately.

When Nathan picked up his second wicket shortly afterwards, Carlton were in a strong position at 4 wickets down for 59. However, opener Andrews survived two very confident appeals – one for LBW off Nikil and one for a caught behind off Akeel – and was also dropped on the boundary, as he built a partnership of 131 for the 5th wicket with the uncomplicated Bold. Andrews was finally run out for 91 taking on Blackie’s arm as he attempted a second run.

Openers Akeel and Ian got off to a slow start, hindered by increasingly bad weather and tight bowling by Grant and Doherty. Ian was then trapped in front and Akeel survived a strong appeal , which led to the umpire – DC - being the subject of choice language from some of the fielding side as he failed to raise his finger.
Thereafter, the Carlton innings failed to fire as there were too few partnerships of note and only the odd cameo raised the total to a disappointing 117 all out.

All in all a bad result and a poor performance in the field and with the bat.

164 for 9

James Blackmur 3 for 20, Akeel Aslam 2 for 35

158 for 9

Ian Thompson 46, Fergus Whatley 25, Shaun Barrett 22

164 for 9

Brent Lockie 40, Fergus Whatley 36 not out

163 all out

Rajan Bhopal 4 for 28, Alan Murray 3 for 13

Early on, though, the home bowling was not at its best and despite a fine spell of leg spin bowling from Fergus Whatley, who turned in fine figures of 9-2-0-28, Boroughmuir found themselves well placed on 92 for 1 after 29 overs.

However, the return of Rajan combined with the away swing of Alan Murray changed the game as the pair quickly picked up 7 wickets between them to bowl Boroughmuir out for 163 in the final over.

Rajan and Brent began the Carlton reply and batted well until Rajan edged to the keeper. Ian and AJ then departed in the space of two overs and when Brent was caught for a hard fought 40 the Boroughmuir total looked a long way away.

However, the skipper joined Fergus to move things along nicely before Akeel skied a full toss. The Under 15 combination of Fergus and Zaki then peppered the boundary regularly as the visitors’ attack tired. Zaki was then bowled but another Under 15, Mo, joined Fergus and took the total to within seven of victory before Mo fell to a fine caught & bowled.

Enter relative veteran Alan Murray and with just three runs needed he won the game with an edge out of reach of slip to bring the home side full points.

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182 all out

Ali Scott 3 for 11, Akeel Aslam 3 for ??

183 for 6

Brent Lockie 80, Akeel Aslam 56 ret

Excellent wicket, and a strong Heriots XI chose to bat first. They started very well, with their top order making telling contributions and at the drinks break were around 120-1. Ali Scott then entered the fray, holding an excellent catch at cover off DC to dismiss their top scorer (76) and bowling 9 very fast overs (3-11). Heriots middle order capitulated and but for a brief flurry from the tail, they will have been disappointed to only post 182.

Carlton were 2 down quite quickly but Brent (80) and Akeel (56) forged a match winning partnership, with Brent turning back the clock in displaying a full range of strokes. Akeel was the perfect foil, he too making his half century and although a few wickets fell within touching distance of the target, Mo hit the winning run with 5 overs to spare. This was a side packed with youth, although the experienced heads of Brent, Akeel & DC were to the fore.

116 for 9

Nick Martin 39

115 all out

Dave Carter 3 for 13, Nikhil Choughley 2 for 12

Another nailbiter! The outfield was lush, green and damp. The Roseburn artificial provides ideal surfaces for bowlers, and the conditions favoured the seamers, with both sides achieving movement off the pitch and through the air.

Akeel was probably quite relieved to lose the toss, and Accies chose to bat. Our 4 seam bowlers (Nikhil, DP, DC & Blackie) all bowled excellent line and length and with wickets falling, the strong Accies batting line up were always struggling. Nikhil & DC returned impressive figures (2-12 and 3-13) but Accies Aussie player/coach Matt Williamson carried his bat for an excellent 50, worth more given the conditions. Jack held a great catch in the deep to help Akeel in removing big hitter Jordan, while Zaki and DP (twice in 2 balls!) were smart in the field in combining with Scott in run outs.

Nick Martin opened the batting but of his early partners only Fergus was able to make an impression. Carlton were always ahead of the run rate, but wickets were falling. However, Nick played an excellent, mature innings eventually falling on 39 to yet another ball that seamed markedly off the pitch. Akeel himself made another telling contribution to bring our side within reach, but when DC grudgingly strapped his pads on and entered the fray, 7 runs were still required. By this time Accies had played their trump cards and were running out of bowlers, and when Blackie duly dispatched a rare long hop for 4, only 3 were needed, which were achieved through extras later in that over.

Our side again had 6 U16s playing, and Accies gave the boys a thorough going over out on the square. Experience counts for everything and these are the type of games invaluable to cricket progression. Wicketkeeper Scott is improving with every game at this level and gained plaudits from both captains with his skill today. Finally, plaudits to Akeel for fine captaincy during the Accies innings. The field placings saved 20-30 runs and minimised the impact Williamson could make - well done, skip!

87 for 4

Guy Williamson 33 no, Brent Lockie 26 no

86 all out

Chris Hoefling 4 for 32, Mo Ahmed 2 for 15