The weather in the lead up to the first fixture of the season put paid to the only 2 planned training sessions which meant that it was an experimental team that took to the field at a bright but cold and windy Goldenacre.  The more experienced players were supportive of their younger team mates and led by captain Chayank performed well losing out in a very close finish.

Carlton lost the toss and Heriots opted to bat. After conceding a 4 from the first ball the bowlers contained the batsmen, slowly chipping away at the wickets.  The policy of letting all the players have at least one over worked well, 6 players claiming at least one wicket, and Keshav just failed to complete a hat-trick.  In the field the team were alert and encouraging, and despite the cold gave little away, running down the ball and backing up effectively, with rookie wicket keeper John J giving an assured performance. An interesting battle was set up when Haris (playing for Heriots) came in and hit an early boundary, but Chayank lured him into another big hit, only for Ruari to take one of his three catches.

Heriots were all out on the final ball of their innings having amassed 69 runs.

Carlton’s innings was opened by Euan and Ruari. Euan was unlucky to be caught playing a powerful shot. Oliver F and Chayank added 10 runs before Oliver was replaced by Umar. Chayank and Umar formed the best partnership of the day with strong shots and effective running between the wickets keeping the scoreboard moving. As Carlton passed the fifty mark Chayank and Umar retired to ensure all the players would bat. Mehran, Patrick , Keshav and John faced short spells, keeping the scorer busy and then the 2 youngest players went in for the final over.  Trying to push the score along Dougal was unlucky to be runout and Chayank returned for the final three balls. Chayank held a mid wicket conference with Rory A who was facing the final ball from which a single was required to tie, the tactic was clearly for them to run whatever, as Chayank was only feet behind the ball as it arrived at a surprised batsmen whose off bail was dislodged.

Still no practice sessions possible due to the weather and a combination of football, sponsored cycles and cross country races meant that the Carlton team was probably the youngest and least experienced assembled.  Despite this the team performed extremely well to record a resounding victory.

Carlton lost the toss and Stewart’s Melville elected to bat. Keshav and Umar opened the bowling and after the first four overs had Stewarts Melville on 5 for the loss of 2 wickets, with Keshav bowling both batsmen and Umar keeping it tight at the other end.  Gavin in his first appearance took the third wicket (bowled) conceding only one further run.  Dougal , the youngest player, after a relatively expensive first over took one for one in his second over (another clean bowled). Hari P bowled 2 overs for only 4 runs and David M looked sharp in his one over taking two wickets for only one run, both clean bowled with the first only just catching the top of the stumps as it zipped past the unfortunate batsman. Mehran was economical in his 2 overs (3 runs) as was James (3 runs from one over).  Rory A was the most expensive bowler conceding 9 runs (a no ball going through for the only boundary of the innings representing more than half of that total) off his 2 overs, but weighed in with 2 wickets (one bowled and the other smartly collected at slip by Chayank ).  Umar returned for a final over and secured the final wicket, again with the help of Chayank at slip.  Ahmed was an enthusiastic wicket keeper, making sure the bowlers were encouraged and the rest of the team were alert in the field, as with last week no overthrows were conceded.

In all 7 wickets were the result of clean bowling demonstrating the benefit of the winter coaching, the trueness of the new artificial pitch and that there really is no substitute for a good line.

Carlton’s innings was opened by Umar and Gavin. Gavin was unlucky to be run out in a calling mix up with the score on one. 

Chayank (who had not bowled, had clearly been saving himself for batting) proceeded to launch a number of strong shots to the boundary, the score accelerating towards the target. Umar was bowled (for 6) with the total 2 short of victory and Chayank secured the winning runs shortly afterwards.  The game continued on which allowed some additional batting practice for Carlton, with Chayank retiring on 20, David showed a good eye striking a boundary, Keshav was purposeful and James and Rory showed sound technique between them moving the final total to 43 off 11 overs before the game was halted.

Carlton were put into bat and after the early loss of Ruari (not before he struck an elegant boundary) Euan and Chayank added 31 for the second wicket, with typically efficient running between the wicket prompted by Chayank. Euan was unlucky to play on and in the same over Chayank was well caught by the bowler as he attempted a straight drive.  Umar added a single before being bowled and then a strong mid order partnership of 36 between David and Oliver pushed the score on.  There was some convincing stroke play by both batsmen with David recording 12 runs (the same as Euan and Chayank) before holing out to mid on.  Oliver retired when he reached 20 which allowed Francis and James to see out the remaining overs and bring the total to 92. With the wetness of the ground, Carlton benefited from 22 extras as the bowlers struggled to control the ball on delivery.

Euan and Ruari opened the bowling and after 4 overs had conceded only 10 runs, both bowlers recording a maiden each. Francis and Chayank shared the following 4 overs and were even more economical conceding only 5 runs. On his first ball Rory was unlucky not to take a return catch diving well to his left, and the break through came in the next over as Chayank bowled the more aggressive of the openers. Mehran and Umar joined the attack and suffered as the ball got wetter and more difficult to grip and the batsmen became more forceful in their shots.  Oliver and David also delivered an over each and as the total crept towards the target the final 2 overs were given to Euan and Ruari who kept it tight enough to restrict the total to 87, and a deserved 5 run victory for Carlton.  On the tight pitch the fielders were alert and helped contain the total and John at wicketkeeper ensured there were minimal byes conceded.

A young Carlton team won the toss and batted first. The early loss of openers Euan and Gavin was a blow from which the team struggled to recover. Wickets fell on a regular basis throughout the innings to a tight Loretto bowling attack including Rosie Everett, cousin of Euan, who ended up claiming three wickets. Ruari batted well occupying the crease for most of the innings scoring a hard fought 23 before the team were finally dismissed for 50.

In reply Loretto lost an early wicket to Ruari but Simon Waite and Cameron Good batted well taking the total to 39 before David Mitchell claimed the second wicket. However Good batted through to the end ensuring Loretto passed their target with plenty of overs to spare.

Days like these are all part of the learning curve and the great thing is that there is always another day to look forward to! Keep your heads up and work hard at practice and you will all continue to make progress.

Ruari and young Keshav opened the batting against a good opening attack, one opening bowler almost being twice as tall as Keshav! The two batsmen played each ball on its merit really well which was great to see and they adjusted well to the quicker and bouncier pitch. They timed the ball well and made the most of the quick outfield and shorter boundaries. In what must be one of the highest opening partnerships for the primary school team they put on 74 runs before Ruari holed out for a well played 29 including 6 fours. Keshav contined to grow in confidence and scored a tremendous 24 not out with 4 boundaries before he kindly retired to allow another batsman a chance. He looked so pleased with his effort and quite rightly so!

With new batsman trying their best to continue the very good run rate a couple of wickets fell in the team's cause but Chayank again ran really well between the wickets in a fast scoring partnership with Francis to finish off the innings in grand style. Chayank was left 20 not out and Francis hit his highest score so far in an excellent quick fire undefeated 18 including 4 fours. The final score was a very pleasing 144-3.

Stewarts Melville opened carefully against tight bowling from James and Francis. James reeled off 3 very good overs claiming one wicket which was pleasing to see. The bowling attack was changed frequently to try and give everyone a bowl. The school team upped the run rate but wickets continued to fall in regular fashion with Umar claiming 2 wickets and Francis, Dougal and Mehran taking one wicket each. With the batsmen finding the gaps well on the quick outfield the run rate increased leaving the school only needing a handful to win with two overs to go. Oliver then bowled a great tight penultimate over which took the game down to the last over before a boundary finally won a great game for Stewarts Melville.

To play the game on a good quick artificial wicket with a decent even bounce made for a great game and allowed the batsmen to time the ball rather than having to force it when playing on slow, low wickets. They benefited greatly from that, getting great value for their shots. It also taught the bowlers a hard lesson in that if you did not bowl straight and a full length then you got punished. If more away games could be played on these types of surfaces then it would give them a real chance to progress quicker and learn to bat and bowl properly. The new artificial wicket just installed at Grange Loan should help the development of our young cricketers in a similar way. The game also highlighted that we need to take our catches to have a chance to win these types of close matches and to make sure we are trying to concentrate and watch the batsmen when each ball is bowled.

However it was a pleasure to be involved in such an exciting and well played match, well done to both teams.

Euan and Ruari then destroyed the best of what the big Merchiston side had to offer. There were some seriously good shots. A back foot drive through the offside for four and a whipped shot off his legs were the memorable ones from Euan and Ruari's straight drives were superb. Their opening stand of 75 in 15 overs was something else. They and all who followed need to develop the idea of running singles (bar Keshav who ran singles to the keeper !!!!!). Cheeky chipped in with 13 and the rest all contributed especially Keshav who came in and hit 4 or 5 4s in the last few overs. We scored 131 off 25.

Merchiston started brightly until a very good LBW decision from yours truly saw their dangerous opener sent packing !!!! All proceeded peacefully until their biggest and most powerful batsman came to the crease and started tonking it around. All a sudden it got very exciting but Euan and Ruari were reintroduced and Euan got the dangerous batsman out !! After that they were never going to make it and we won by 10 runs. A great game and a great win.

Quote of the day from Cheeky our Captain.........." Wow. Captaining cricket is really difficult."

Carlton won the toss and elected to bat on the best day of the year so far. Unfortunately after one over we were 2 wickets down after Euan was bowled off his pads and Chayank was very well caught looking to make an explosive start. Keshav joined Ruari and made good progress with Keshav keen to practise his recent leg side coaching and the bowlers entered into the spirit by ignoring the offside completely. Ruari accumulated his runs patiently and they both retired together undefeated with Keshav on 33 and Ruairi on 22.

Umar and Oliver F came in and nudged the runs along before Oliver was bowled which brought Francis to the wicket who remained to the end. Carlton ended on 85 for 3, which from 2 for 2 after the first over was a good total.

A wicket maiden off the opening over from Ruari was an excellent start and although the batsmen continued to add runs the main feature of the innings was the alertness of the fielders as they chased the ball and stopped a number of boundaries that could easily have been given up on. Francis in particular made a couple of “flip backs” and with good support from the other fielders kept the runs down. Throwing to the stumps was accurate and quick allowing Ahmed at wicket keeper to run out one of their stronger bats. 9 of the team bowled, Ahmed and Keshav were the exceptions but Keshav kept involved and took a good running catch off Rory’s bowling. Francis took the other wicket (bowled) and although not taking any wickets both Olivers (F and B), Chayank and David kept it tight. Responsibility for the final over went to Umar and despite a couple of wides and very ambitious running by the batsmen the final result was a nailbiting tie (although as we were only 3 wickets down and they were 4 down it could be argued that the moral victory was Carlton’s!?).

Given the heat of the day the boys kept well focused on their tasks, particularly in the field and whilst there were technically a few dropped catches in reality these were good stops and contributed to keeping the runs down.

More photos

Chayank and Haris replaced them and made (relatively) sedate progress but still kept the runs coming. Chayank was typically enthusiastic in his running whilst Haris preferred to go for the boundaries. Chayank retired on 17 and Haris on 22 to allow Keshav and Oliver to face the final couple of overs. Keshav was clearly keen to add to the score as he advanced down the wicket to his second delivery, eyeing the legside boundary. Akeel was on hand to keep the watching team interested and supportive whilst continually coaching. Lessons were learnt in terms of relay throwing from the boundary and correct technique for taking high catches as one of the unfortunate Fettes fielders took a knock to the face which required Ruari to substitute field for an over. At the end of 20 overs Carlton were an impressive 152 with the loss of no wickets.

To ensure as many of the team had an opportunity to contribute as possible the normal opening attack of Ruari, Euan and Chayank were rested, letting James and Umar share the first 8 overs. Both took a wicket in their first over (Umar in a wicket maiden) with a clean bowl, and by the time they had completed the 8 overs Fettes had lost 5 wickets (a good run out by Haris added to a further clean bowl by James and David’s catch off Umar). The next 6 overs were shared by Rory and David. Rory returned impressive figures of 3 wickets for 2 runs in his spell, and was two thirds of his way to a hattrick but drifted down the offside with the crucial ball. Good catches were taken by Keshav and Ruari. Oliver came on for the 15th (and final) over and bowled their final batsmen. Ahmed was again a quietly efficient wicket keeper. Fettes finished all out on 55, giving Carlton an emphatic win in their final schools match of the season.