202 all out

Adam Weir 2 for 31

147 all out

Liam Prescott 31, Alex Fedenczuk 21

On a sunny Saturday afternoon we travelled to Murrayfield, battling with the rugby league traffic.

Fielding first the young seamers, Adam Weir and Alex Fedenczuk, set off with some tidy bowling against some aggressive batting.  The partnership was broken when Adam presented 13 year old keeper Matthew Wells with his first catch for the Threes.

The trusty pair of DC and Bob took over the bowling duties next,struggling to maintain order against the remaining Murrayfield opener Kidd. After a difficult spell, Saif was called upon to alter the pace of the attack. He struck quickly, confusing Kidd in the flight. With the danger man out for 84, morale was restored and wickets began to fall although runs were still being scored. Everyone chipped in with tidy fielding and held catches. Murrayfield were eventually bowled out for 202.

After tea Kyle and Nick took up their bats and made their way to the middle to set about the chase. Nick looked comfortable at the crease, hitting the ball cleanly but was unfortunately run out. Runs and wickets came steadily with no one assuming the solid and confident role that was required. Some runs were made by Bob (19 n.o.) Alex (21) and Liam (31) but unfortunately not enough. The last wicket stand between Bob and DC carried us through to pick up some extra batting points with DC calling through a cantered quick single (which was unfortunately given to leg byes!).

We finished with 147 runs and a little food for thought, but taking 10 bonus points from a thoroughly enjoyable game was a pleasant if not entirely satisfying start to the season.

Scorecard

home

M

109 all out

Fraser Boyd 33 not out

Carlton welcomed Edinburgh Accies on the artificial wicket at Inverleith Park.   Accies skipper Williams won the toss and elected to field first.

Carlton’s openers Shaun Barrett and Liam Prescott made a slow start against an accurate spell from Accies’ opening pair.   Liam had broken two bats during the week and so understandably his team mates were reluctant to lend him a decent one to play with.  Pretty soon all fears were in the past as he missed a quick full ball from King and heard the horrible sound of stumps cart-wheeling behind him (Prescott 5).  Kyle McPherson came in at 3 but was unable to keep out a big in-swinging banana ball from Pring (19–2, McPherson 3).  Alex Fedenczuk and Barrett saw off the opening pair and waited for easier stuff to hit.  Unfortunately the first change bowlers were even more accurate and even harder to hit.  Lester Knibb, who resembles Genesis former lead singer Peter Gabriel, bowled with perfect pitch and “Rhino” Williams charged in from the other end.  The pair bowled 18 overs in tandem taking 6 for 34.  Carlton wickets fell regularly.  Nikhil was unlucky with his lbw dismissal, while Akeel managed to find the only leg side fielder as he attempted to put Accies spinner Thew into the tennis court at Fettes College.  Carlton’s total of 109 was due to an excellent 33 not out from Fraser Boyd until it stopped when he ran out of partners with 6 overs unused.

Accies' reply began against Nikhil and Alex.  Opener David Black (6) was first to go, leg before to Alex.  Rhino Williams rode his luck at the other end, missing several balls that went on to narrowly miss his stumps and surviving a sharp chance of a catch.  Peter Gabriel’s twin came and went quickly, bowled by Nikhil (Knibb 0, 20-2).  Accies’ success was founded on the partnership of Williams and Stephen King who took the score to 99 and the brink of victory.  King was caught by Prescott off Fedenczuk’s even slower ball and for a few moments Carlton sensed an opening.   Williams then hit Alex for consecutive 6 and 4 to end the match unbeaten on 77 and claim an Accies’ win by 6 wickets.  Carlton was left to rue two dropped catches and a run out that would have transformed the game.

On the day Accies outperformed Carlton in all aspects of the game.  All their bowlers bowled good line and length.  Rhino’s 77 not out, 4 -18 and the catch to dismiss Akeel rounded off a man of the match performance.  Next time we play them I’m going to bring a tranquiliser gun to tame the beast at the coin toss.  Highlights for Carlton were Alex’s contribution with bat & ball, Fraser’s excellent runs, Nikhil’s pace and accuracy and Saif’s probing spell of spin bowling against two well set batsmen.  Congratulations to Accies and thanks for playing the game in such good spirits.

Scorecard

205 all out

Nick Martin 3 for 16, Dave Carter 3 for 42

274 for 6

Nik Hunt 84, Jack Kennedy 63, Nick Martin 56

On an overcast Saturday afternoon we travelled across the Forth to Largo. We lost the toss and were put in to bat. A strong opening partnership from young Nick Martin and Tony Brown established a firm platform to build from. Nick scored 56 before being dismissed caught behind ending the partnership at 89. Nik Hunt then took to the crease before Tony fell for 32 bringing his son Will to the middle. Will was unluckily run out by the bowler, as he dropped a straight drive from Nik, deflecting the ball into the non-striker’s stumps.

Jack Kennedy joined Nik and the two teenagers played some of the best cricket to grace the 3s. Jack reached his 50, hitting six 4s, a 6 and a three, before continuing to a score of 63. In this partnership of over 100 runs the field and bowling was dealt with grace and efficiency, dealing a punishing blow to Largo’s morale. With Jack’s eventual stumping, Liam Prescott took to the crease to accompany Nik through the last few overs. Liam kept the score ticking over as Nik continued the work Jack had started, hitting the ball cleanly and firmly reaching his 50 a few balls after Liam had taken to the crease (four 4s a 6 and a 3). Once Nik had his 50 the runs kept coming as he hit a further four 4s and another 6. In the last over Liam was dismissed bringing Kyle Macpherson to the crease, scoring one from one ball giving Nik the strike only to be dismissed on the last ball for 84.

Some chances were granted in the innings in dropped catches, and Nik Hunt was caught on the boundary from a neck high no ball, but a good performance put the visitors in a commanding position at half time. In this innings, thanks must be given to DC who umpired for the full 45 overs.

After tea the game was briefly delayed by rain but thankfully the weather brightened allowing us to take to the field. Will Brown was given the new ball for the first over and despite struggling to find his line at first bowled well displaying good pace and penetration. DC opened from the other end leading from the front. Once the bowlers settled in the run rate levelled off at around 4 an over with no wickets after the first 8 overs. Will completed his first spell and was replaced by Nik Hunt starting very tidily. DC struck in his 5th over breaking the stumps of the first opener, only to take another in his 6th, with a stunning catch by Nik Hunt in the slips. With Nik keeping the other end tight things were looking good, DC taking the remaining openers wicket in his 8th, the catch held by Liam.

With the end of DC’s spell the Largo no. 4 had his eye in and started to attack the bowling. Liam starting at the other end was hit for 6 on his first ball, a very short and slow delivery. The danger man’s wicket was taken by a classic crocodilian catch from Ian Proctor at point during Liam’s fifth over. After the wicket ,discipline was maintained in the field and the run rate held back with some tidy bowling from Liam and Will, 3 maidens in 8 overs. Ian Proctor came on to bowl and 2 more wickets fell in his first over, one clean bowled and the other caught by Nik Hunt. Ian was then changed for Nick Martin with Liam finishing his spell and replaced by Nik Hunt.

Nick Martin found the stumps twice in his 4 overs with a third wicket courtesy of 13 year old Matthew Wells’ stumping. During this period Ian Proctor chipped in with a cheeky run out from a misfield and Will bowled his last over from the other end. Nick’s wicket on the last ball of his 4th over closed the game with Largo on 205 ending a pleasant afternoon of cricket and a positive result for the Thirds.

Scorecard

222 for 9

Jack Kennedy 58, Bob Irvine 30

With the aroma of Edinburgh’s Festival of Taste in the background Carlton entertained Falkland 3rd XI at Inverleith Park on a blisteringly hot and sunny day.

Carlton welcomed the lean, speedy Alan Pedglift for his Carlton debut and sent him out to open with snail paced Barnacle Barrett..... What could possibly go wrong?  We soon found out.....a firm push to cover, an early call and an immediate response saw Barrett (5) run out by a Scottish cricket record of 17 yards.  Alan (21) was out soon afterwards, very unfortunate to be given lbw on the artificial from a ball that hit the top of his pad.  There was enough promise to show he’ll make many runs during the rest of the season.  Carlton’s batting struggled against steady bowling from Falkland and only Jack Kennedy batted with any real authority before heat exhaustion and the temptation of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s Slow Cooked Pig Cheeks with Pea Tops and Seared Scallops lured him back to the shed after an excellent 58.  Bob Irvine contributed a violent 30 and instigated talk of anger management counselling amongst his team mates.  Carlton’s last three batsmen Azhar (16 no), Walker (17) and Carter (11no) contributed more valuable runs as Carlton totalled 223-9 off the full 45 overs.

Falkland started against miserly bowling from President Carter and Josh Walker but on the artificial track the bounce was true and offered little help to the bowlers.   Carlton’s attack was severely depleted:  Saif Azhar’s damaged finger prevented him from bowling and Liam Prescott’s decision to include a 420mile/9 hour round trip to Selby as part of his pre match routine left the Chemistry student unable to tell the difference between a polypeptide and Polly the parrot. 

Bob Irvine picked up the first wicket, dismissing opener E Bell for 14, caught by Jack Kennedy at cover and that proved the turning point in the game as opener Watt and Falkland number 3 C Bell proceeded to dispatch the ball to all parts.  In the absence of two front line bowlers and in the spirit of the Festival of Taste, assorted pies were served up by part timers Barrett, Prescott and Proctor and 5 shared overs went for 66 runs.  Kennedy (4-0-16-1) and Pedglift (7.1-0-41-0) restored a little sanity but the Falkland pair gave an excellent display of hitting.  Watt and Bell took Falkland within 25 runs of victory before Bell (88) was brilliantly caught by the sprinting Pedglift on the boundary off a Proctor full bunger.  When wicketkeeper Matthew Wells caught Low, standing up off Kennedy, Carlton’s spirit revived but Chambers (11 no) and Watt (80 no) saw Falkland home with 4 overs to spare.

Falkland earned and fully deserved their victory based on sensible bowling and explosive hitting.  Next year they celebrate their 150 year anniversary with a Cricket Festival at Scroggie Park (July 2010) against other Falkland Doppelgangers’ from the South Atlantic Falkland Islands and Falkland CC from Berkshire.

Scorecard

162 all out

Dave Carter 4 for 11

204 for 7

Josh Walker 73 not out

Carlton were inserted, and at 49 – 5 an early tea and home in time to cheer on Kazakhstan* versus England in the World Cup Qualifier was likely.   Fortunately for Carlton and for England’s World Cup hopes James Hilton and Josh Walker constructed a reply.  Riding their luck, especially against Mohammed and Pope, they put on 97 until Hilton was superbly caught behind by Dannreuther standing up.  Bob Irvine quickly followed before Josh was joined by Iain Proctor in an undisturbed partnership of 45.  Proctor’s new pre match routine of 2 cans of mild, a game of scrabble and early to bed clearly worked as he astonished everyone with a Hershelle Gibbs like cover drive for 4 in an excellent 24 not out.  In Carlton’s total of 204, Josh finished undefeated on 73 and Mohammed was the pick of the Holy Cross bowlers with a very impressive 7-3-14-4.

The Holy Cross openers, CA Smith and Paul Bailey, set off as though they were late for off the field appointments.  This proved the case and after a hugely entertaining 34 Bailey (bowled Blackmur) was able to depart for a charity dinner dance.  Smith (32) followed soon after, excellently caught by Hilton at first slip off the ageless Carter.  Hilton’s first ball was his slow bouncer (aka mid wicket pie) and it surprised Dannruether, who while attempting to launch it into Stewart Melville’s Rugby Ground top edged it to square leg were Nick Martin was waiting between Wine Gums.  Wickets fell regularly against tight bowling until Mohammed and Zangdeh batted sensibly, causing concern in the Carlton ranks after recent defeats against responsible late order batting.  Walker eventually removed Mohammed (26) and Bob Irvine claimed the 9th wicket bowling the swashbuckling Burgess (13).  The game was over when Hilton tempted Zangdeh down the track and Barrett took the stumping.  Carter (9-4-11-4) and Hilton (6-0-14-2) took the bowling honours as Holy Cross were eventually dismissed for 162 leaving Carlton victors by 42 runs.

Holy Cross provided a super cricket wicket.  There was something in it for all bowlers and the batsmen were rewarded for good cricket shots by a fast outfield.  Both sides believed they had the game won at different stages but it was the partnership of Josh and James that won the game for Carlton and with a decent total the old heads of Carter and Hilton came through.  With a little more luck Holy Cross could have won, it really was that close.  With a freezing Easterly carrying hopes from Kazakhstan and two teams that stayed on through the showers and shared a beer together afterwards it was a typical game of cricket in Scotland.  Many thanks to Holy Cross for being such generous hosts and we look forward to the return in 9 weeks time.

Scorecard

* This match report was written by an ironic Englishman

142 for 6

Bob Irvine 27 not out, Martin Robertson 25 not out

248 for 4 (43 overs)

A Pedgrift 2 for 33

257 for 6

Jack Kennedy 65, Ani Majumdar 52, Seb Rae 45, Nick Martin 43

170 for 9 (38 overs)

Akeel Aslam 3 for 32

Carlton won on superior run rate

Scorecard

113 all out

Neil Irvine-Hess 4 for 26, Josh Walker 3 for 26

273 for 7

Alan Pedgrift 98, Brent Lockie 53, Akeel Aslam 48

Saturday afternoon saw blue skies over the fields at Goldenacre, and a 3rd XI team almost as strong as the breeze head out to play against Heriots own 3rd XI, who were looking for their first league win of the season in Division 5.

Having been inserted, Carlton’s opening partnership of Pedgrift and Lockie made a very impressive start in the crosswinds, and it wasn’t until the 26th over that the latter fell foul of Heriot’s seventh-choice bowler, with the score at 156. Four overs later he struck again, tempting Pedgrift into edging behind, an agonising two runs short of what would have been a maiden century. Aslam steadied the ship until the penultimate over, with a selection of effortless singles and hefty fours, ending on 48. With batsmen still in the shed, all remained calm, even as the middle order were dismissed for less than their shoe sizes, bringing up a challenging total of 273.

Irked at the umpire’s comment on his hirsuteness, Irvine-Hess was perhaps considering an early finish and a trip to the barber’s before it shut, as he stormed in, taking three wickets in his first three overs. Walker, sporting quite the opposite haircut, was equally keen to wrap things up quickly, and the home side were left floundering at 8 for 4 in the fifth. Aslam saw fit to capitalise on this top order capitulation, setting a rather attacking field, with nine men round the bat at one point. Catches presented themselves, and the game could have been completed sooner, were they all taken. Notable thanks should go to Neil, the substitute for Lockie (strained groin), who claimed not to have thrown a ball in twenty-five years, but whose accuracy enabled a run-out.

Heriot’s did not give in easily however, as they fought bravely on with a tail as hard to pin down as that of a Manx cat’s. The innings ended the way it had begun, with an excellent delivery from Irvine-Hess that lifted the bails off, and lifted Carlton to fifth in the league.

Scorecard

Chris Hoefling 52 not out, Zaki Yusaf 29

Saif Azhar 2 for 13, Neil Irvine-Hess 2 for 12

And lo, the rains relented and all was bathed in sunshine and the peoples of the Carlton 3rd X! came blinking into that sunshine to find themselves on the green and fertile plain of Largo.......enough of that - as the Firth of Forth lay glistening below us the general consensus veered from 'it's too hot' to 'we need to bowl first'. DC duly obliged on the latter and we had first use of the ball on an inevitably soft track.

Hoof and Neil took up the cause. Neil had instant success fooling the opener to lob up the simplest of catches to mid off for Bob - the deadly father and son combination (Neil would have stopped his pocket money if he'd shelled it). Neil struck again an over later when he got one to lift and jag back taking the shoulder of the bat. Josh was as steady as Flintoff taking the catch low to his left at second slip. With Hoof roaring in down the hill and passing the bat 2 or 3 times and over, Largo needed to dig in. Chris laboured mightily for no reward. The war of attrition intensified when DC came on, and he eventually got through Anderson (18) to take the middle stump. Josh was pounding in from the sea end, his new boots gleaming in the sun but not distracting the batsmen enough for them to give him a chance. DC changed ends and Bob started trundling down the hill. He soon had success with a jaffa leg cutter to bowl Tocher. Mowat looked secure and began to become more aggressive finding a few boundaries until, increasingly in need of his cigar break, he sliced Bob to point where Saif took a good catch. A good knock, top scoring on 33.

After welcome drinks, Murdoch and Braid sought to push the score along. DC was being miserly at the sea end now and Murdoch survived a big appeal for a slip catch. Saif came on and took them both with good balls, middle stump and stumped. Ani got the final wicket to fall as the innings closed on 150 for 8 - a well paced innings which recovered well from a slow start. However 3 catches spilled meant that the total was higher than it needed to be.

After pleasant tea in the civilised environment of the church hall, Carlton took up the challenge. While the wicket was drying up, its surface was now pock marked - a lunar landscape on which care would be needed. Ani and Guy started well and all seemed under control until Ani thought it time to press the accelerator, mistiming a pull which midwicket juggled but held. That precipitated a succession of low scores as the top and middle order struggled against young Robertson and not so young Mowat. That sinking feeling was permeating the boundary until Zaki and Hoof began a match-winning partnership. The Hoof was never in trouble and Zaki scored heavily square of the wicket. Zaki was out as 3 figures were reached. Bob and Saif helped Hoof keep the score moving along, but more than 20 still neededt when DC came in. A couple of big hits from the skipper and we were in touching distance - leaving Hoof to bring up his 50 and the victory with a huge 6 back over the bowler. Easy?!?

A fine victory then with good contributions from our younger - and older - players. Thanks to Largo for arranging the sunshine and competing right to the end.

Scorecard

282 for 6

Ani Majumdar 106, Fergus Whatley 80 not out, Mo Ahmed 45

75 all out

Bob Irvine 25

As philosophers through the ages have opined: 'You know you are deep in the doo doo when the scoreboard reads: Runs 1, wickets 4, overs 1'  (And the run was a no ball). 

All too reminiscent of England top orders of recent years perhaps, as a much changed and youngish Carlton 3 team struggled against run away league leaders Peebles.  

Things had looked a bit better a few hours earlier.  Peebles won the toss and batted.  Josh generated a fair head of steam had one opener dropped (sign of things to come) and the other caught behind taken in his first over.  Another followed a couple of overs later and when Ian Martin confirmed that the umpire's finger was saying out-lbw rather than scratching his nose, Peebles looked under pressure.  But that is really as far as Carlton got.  Our former team mate, Marcel De Coudray took charge and a well paced innings got him to a fine hundred - although he was dropped in the 30s.  DC pitched in with a solitary wicket, Bob (the victim of that dropped catch) could have bowled all day and not got any return.  Carlton's fielding became increasingly slack - a record number of throws seemed to ping the stumps to cannon away for overthrows with backing up fielders posted dreaming.  That end of season feeling pervaded the team - to the extent that  DC was contemplating resignation mid-innings.    Peebles finished their innings at 204 for 5.  

And then that fateful first over of Carlton's reply, and there was no way back.  Credit to young Ali Maxwell for extracting life out of what had seemed a pretty benign batting track on most of our visits to Inverleith.  Matt and Bob made it as lengthily tedious as possible for Peebles by dropping anchor to guide us to the safety of a solitary batting point.  It was so tedious even the sledging became repetitive.  To relieve the horror, Bob had to take one from Marcel in what Richie Benaud invariably referred to as the lower abdomen. Another indication of our desperate situation was that Bob couldn't even claim top score as that handy 12th man Extras outscored him. 

Tu ne cede malis is the club motto - on this occasion however we did give way to misfortune - big time.   At least our tea was up to standard.   Good luck to Peebles in the higher Division next year.  They proved themselves worthy winners of Division 5.

Scorecard

102 all out

Akeel Aslam 6 for 13

177 all out

Bob irvine 42, Matthew Wells 24, Akeel Aslam 23

A strong wind blew end to end of Leith Links as we took the field for the final match of the season.  Leith won the toss and inserted us on a soft green surface with a lush outfield.  'I wanted to bat anyway' says Akeel - no doubt thinking that the short boundary in front of the allotments could save him some running. 

Opinions were divided as to what would be a good score on this track - 120 would be good, and anything beyond 150 would be in serious bonus territory.    As it was, we progressed efficiently to 177.  This was a tribute to Carlton's patience - Leith started with bowling not quite as sharp as what we had seen Brett Lee directing at Fraggle the day before, and with each change put on an even slower bowler.  With no pace in the wicket and unpredictable bounce (if any), it was necessary to wait for the ball to arrive.  The very strong wind meant a long wait at one end.  Matt (24), Akeel (23) and Zaki (14) got good starts but perished trying to force it.  Akeel used his feet to good effect, spurning the short boundary and hitting straight downwind.  Bob top scored for the second week in a row with 42 (not 38 as first reported - an evening recount of the book revealed some hanging chads and further evidence of the decline of our once world beating educational system.   Clearly arithmetic coaching will have to feature as part of winter nets). Demonstrating untypical patience he managed to punish the bad ball severely.  A trademark full cover drive in particular caused the silly extra cover to understand just what silly means in this context, and to retire to a quieter part of the field where speedy projectiles were less likely to be life threatening.  A productive partnership was developing with Gair, who included a well struck 6 in his 14, but both perished when 200 was looking possible.  Iain and Iain batted out the rest of the overs efficiently to leave us well pleased with a challenging total.  

A rain squall delayed the restart but Josh had instant reward - a beamer to soften the batter up - then caught behind and we were on our way.  Or not.  A good partnership between Spence and McCord (big beard, big hair and Paddington Bear hat and all) pushed the score past 50.  A bit behind the run rate perhaps but that could change very quickly.  Josh and Hoof got little return from the wicket.  Jack came on kept it tight but didn't look threatening.  So it was left to Akeel who was immediately on the stop with 2 wickets in his first over.  A direct hit run out from Iain Proctor (whose efforts must deserve special recognition in the Top Cat Awards ceremony next week) in the next over kept the momentum going.  Jack then chipped in with 2 LBWs - getting Spence playing across a straight one for a good 35.  While Australian Hadon (20*)  looked good, he rapidly ran out of partners as Akeel blew the tail away finishing with 6-13.  A quality spell.  2 catches and a stumping for Matt mean that he will take the wicketkeeping award - well done to him! 

A good win to finish the season with good contributions all-round and good energy in the field.  Makes us all look forward to May 2010.   Many thanks to the Ladies of Leith FAB for the usual high quality tea we have come to expect on visits to the Links.  See you all next year!

Scorecard