200 for 6

Shaun Barrett 89, Gair Currie 37 not out

home

GL

125 for 9

Chayank Gosain 6 for 20, James Hilton 3 for 6

99 all out

Tony Brown 42

home

M

Skipper Alan Murray, having spent most of the previous 48 hours trying to get 11 faint pulses out to play, promptly lost the toss and DAFS opted to bowl on a dubious looking pitch in overcast conditions.

Carlton lost Keith Murray early on, well caught at slip off a ball that reared like a cobra off a decent length. Russell Weir joined Tony Brown, who had come out of retirement to bolster a depleted 4 XI, and both batted sensibly against accurate bowling. Tony was starting to remember his touch, with a number of impressive square cuts, and when Russell nicely timed a wide ball down behind square, there looked to be an easy two runs. However, the DAFs fielder collected the ball quickly and hit the stumps direct from about fifty yards out, leaving a luckless Russell a yard or so out his ground.

Ruari Macpherson joined Tony in the middle but got bowled off a good ball early on, and Haris Aslam edged behind off another lifter. Vice-captain James Hilton arrived at the crease and supported Tony, who was now looking increasingly comfortable, if somewhat out of breath.   These two formed a solid partnership and drove the score on to 75 for 4 at drinks. Carlton hoped to push on to a good total, but the DAFS bowlers kept things very tight and the return of Vamshi resulted in the key wickets of Tony (42) and James (12). Tony had played a fine innings in very difficult conditions with a sound combination of solid forward defence, good running and hard-hitting of the bad ball. Once these two had gone there was some resistance from Philip Short who energetically biffed the DAFS bowling about at every opportunity, and Adam Weir who batted intelligently in the tricky conditions. However, the final four wickets fell quickly, including a hat-trick for DAFS bowler Cameron, and Carlton were left with a modest total of 99 all out off 37.3 overs.  

Adam and Ruari opened the attack for Carlton and both beat the bat on numerous occasions. The DAFS openers batted cautiously, and the score moved on largely due to extras, as runs off the bat were hard to find. Ruari bowled a tidy spell of 3 overs for 4 runs, and Adam was unlucky not to pick up wickets. 10 year old Oliver Brown then came into the attack and also bowled well, despite the now heavy drizzle, but it was only when the skipper turned to James that the first wicket came. First ball, James tempted opener, Kelly, to edge to replacement keeper Tony, who managed to get down and hold the finely edged catch. However, DAFS pressed on in the wet conditions and it was not until they had reached over 70 that the other opener, Watson (44), was finally caught by a snorting catch at slip by Keith off Adam's bowling. Cheeky also was unlucky to have DAFS skipper, Bascombe, dropped by James, who had put the gloves back on by this stage, but he made up for it next ball by stumping the batswoman in fine style (and gaining twice the amount of fantasy cricket points in the process!) Haris also bowled the dangerous Irfan, but there were no more wickets as DAFS cruised easily to achieve the Carlton total, with wides (18) scoring more than any batsman other than Watson.  

Overall, despite having the worst of the conditions, Carlton failed to score enough runs and get early wickets, but fine performances from both members of the Brown family were a real positive.

Scorecard

134 for 8

Shaun Barrett 42, James Hilton 22

home

GL

135 for 8

Bob Irvine 3 for 17

Carlton batted first at Grange Loan.  Fraser Allardice (0) was dismissed in the second over as a ball popped to cover point off opening bowler Sharp and Russell Weir (2) followed shortly afterwards bowled by a McGill in-ducker.  Mike Kennedy and Shaun Barrett steadied the ship with a partnership of 30 plus with Mike smearing the ball to all corners before he too was bowled by McGill’s stock ball (Kennedy 20).   Holy Cross bowled with discipline and the Carlton score sat at 90-6 with Scott (6), Barrett (42) and Bob Irvine (0) back in the hutch.  Hampered by a calf strain and batting with a runner Hilton saw Carlton through to a respectable 134 with partnerships with Everett (8) and Adam Weir (12).  Hilton finished on an unbeaten 22 and all of the Holy Cross bowlers took away credible bowling figures.

Ali Scott and Adam Weir bowed tight pacey opening spells without much luck and were unable to get the breakthrough.  However, first change at both ends brought rewards with Bob Irvine (Lawrie 8, Nevin 8) and Allardice (MacKay 0 caught RWeir) getting Carlton in the game.  Din and Russell batted sensibly until Irvine dismissed Russell (11) caught by sub fielder Iain Proctor,  Cheeky Gossain had Ahmed, again caught by Proctor, in his first over and when Adam Weir had Din (22) adjudged leg before Carlton were firmly in control.  The game was in the balance after Holy Cross’s young number 9 Graham chanced his arm and made a quick fire 22 before Ali Scott knocked over his stumps.  McGill (19 no), taking a break from smoking a fag, and Sharp (19 no) hitting powerfully down the ground saw Holy Cross home with more than 5 overs to spare.

Bob Irvine (8-2-17-3), Adam Weir (8-0-28-2) and Ali Scott (7.2-1-20-1) all bowled well but Carlton’s bowling options were severely depleted by the absence of Hilton and Neil Irvine Hess (knee) especially as the game tightened in the later stages.  Holy Cross’s late order batting stuck to their game, batted aggressively under pressure and pulled off an impressive win in a seesaw game.  As always in games with Holy Cross it was played in good humour and in the best spirit.

Scorecard

Video footage from Paul at Holy Cross:

Carlton innings

Holy Cross innings

102 for 9

Fraser Allardice 5 for 6

103 for 2

Cranston Watts 50, Kyle Macpherson 22

Skipper Alan Murray lost the toss on a glorious sunny day and was asked to bowl by the home side. The pitch appeared to offer much to the bowlers but the Kismet captain believed that it would only get worse and hoped to post a decent total. He must have regretted that decision as the young Carlton bowling attack of Ruari Macpherson and Fraser Allardice tore into the Kismet top order like seasoned pros. First Fraser induced opener Tahir to play on, and then removed the other opener caught at slip in dazzling style by Andy Macpherson, out of retirement for his first game in 15 or so years. Then Ruari beautifully bowled the dangerous Cochrane, and when Fraser castled their No.5, the home side were reeling at 6 for 4.

After some pre-match lobbying, Mike Kennedy was brought into the fray, first change, and caused the batsmen problems, but the number 4 and 6 Kismet batters built a useful partnership based on straight hitting and good running between the wickets. They pushed the score on to over 60 as the Carlton bowlers toiled in the heat, until finally Cheeky Gosain made the crucial breakthrough, bowling the dogged H Khalid for 27. Haris Aslam took over from Cheeky and bowled very tightly, forcing the Kismet batters to risk a quick single. Fraser fielded the ball at midwicket and made a great throw, which enabled Craig Everett to run out the burly Kismet No.7 who failed to ground his bat.

With 8 overs left, the skipper brought back Fraser and Ruari and Fraser was quickly into the wickets again bowling one batsman off his pads and having another brilliantly caught behind by Craig, going the wrong way. That gave him a thoroughly well deserved fivefor and he was keen to get more. However, Ruari trapped the Kismet No.10 plumb in front and the Kismet No. 9 blocked most of the last 3 overs to ensure that there were no more wickets.

The Carlton fielding was very good, with Andy's breathtaking one-handed stop and Kyle's great arm for a near run out particular highlights. Fraser (left) finished with figures of 5 for 6 and Carlton restricted Kismet to a total of 101 for 9, although they might have hoped for even better after their great start.

After tea, the Carlton opening pair of Cranny Watts and Kyle MacPherson batted well together and built a solid foundation with a 50 partnership. Cranny was running in the Edinburgh marathon the next day so he avoided any quick singles, but blasted the Kismet bowling with a succession of fine boundaries, a glorious cover drive being a particular highlight. Kyle batted with some style, regularly finding the boundary too, until he scooped a catch to be out for a well worked 26. Keith Murray arrived at the crease and supported Cranny who made an impressive 50 before holing out to a fine catch at deep square leg. Fraser joined Keith in the middle and they saw Carlton home to a fine win without further loss.

Many thanks to Kismet for a most enjoyable match played in very good spirit. For some reason, the sun always seem to shine for Carlton at Duloch Park.

Scorecard

180 for 7 (37.3 overs)

Mike Kennedy 62, Johnny Everett 36 not out, Ruari Macpherson 20 not out

home

Gyle

179 for 6 (40 overs)

Fraser Allardice 2 for 25, Adam Weir 2 for 36

A makeshift 4th XI welcomed Preston Village to Gyle Park and on winning the toss opted to bowl first.  Adam Weir bowled with good pace, and was well supported by Fraser Allardice.  The Village openers Black & Grieve, however, formed a good partnership – putting away any bad ball.  Mike Kennedy replaced Fraser but was unable to make the breakthrough and it took the introduction of Chayank Gosain, who after a couple of tight overs, induced a false shot from the dangerous Black who was well caught by last minute call-up Johnny Everett. 

Another good partnership was broken by the returning Fraser when opposition skipper Grieve was brilliantly caught by Ruari Macpherson who had only just arrived after his morning football commitments overran.   Fraser picked up another wicket in his final over but some good hitting from the Village middle order saw them to a healthy total of 179 for 6.  The home side stuck to their task well and late wickets for Adam & Ruari helped keep the total under 200.

After an alfresco tea, drizzle forced a delayed restart.  Adam & Fraser made a steady start before Adam played on.  Wickets then fell regularly with Fraser run out, Keshav Arvind stumped, Craig Everett bowled and Skipper Murray caught.  However Mike Kennedy & Russell Weir then formed a very useful (if somewhat one-sided) 50-run partnership.  Mike blasting the ball to all parts while Russell defended well and got Mike as much of the strike as possible.  When Russell eventually departed caught behind, there was still plenty to do but Ruari gave Mike good support astheir partnership brought the required runs to less than 50 with 7 overs to go.  A change of bowling saw Mike hole out to a terrific diving catch at long off and brought Johnny Everett to the crease.  A combination of powerful hitting and excellent running from Ruari & Johnny saw the 4s home with a couple of overs to spare.

Highlights of the day, apart from the Red Arrows fly past, were Mike’s power hitting to get us in range of a win and Ruari’s first catch and mature batting performance.

Scorecard

176 for 5 (38.5 overs)

175 all out (39 overs)

Craig Everett 42 not out, Alex Mayes 32, James Hilton 30

Scorecard

78 all out

Craig Everett 23

home

GL

80 for 5

Chayank Gosain 2 for 9

Having won the toss Skipper Murray Jnr elected to bat first.  A decision he almost immediately regretted as Kyle & Fraser went in the first over to the impressive in-swing of Breen.  Keith Murray followed soon after and at 3-8 we were in more than a spot of bother.  Russell and Craig battled away and having seen off opposition skipper Warren, Russell fell to a fantastic one-handed slip catch from Warren off the bowling of Howis.  This left the skippers policy of batting an adult and a youngster together in need of a major re-think as Craig & Gair (with a combined age of 27) went on to forge the only meaningful partnership of the Carlton innings.  Craig eventually went for a well worked 23 and had seen us to our first batting point.  Fergus smashed Ward over the wall but his innings was all to brief as Gair called him through for a single to the visitors best fielder.  The home side struggled on to a well below par 78 mainly down to some fine late order hitting from Neil.  The inability to produce more than one partnership of note meant that more than 8 overs were left used.  

After a particularly fine tea Neil & Adam took the new ball.  Both troubled the Broomhall openers, with Adam showing admirable control.  However  with no breakthrough forthcoming the skipper turned to Fergus who induced a false shot from Barron, well caught by Keith.  New batsman Drummond and opener Stringer batted sensibly, putting away the odd bad ball, and it took the introduction of spin from both ends to make the breakthrough as Cheeky bowled the Broomhall No 3.  Gair replaced Fergus and kept things tight and with Cheeky weaving his magic at the other end pressure was building on the visitors. Wickets in successive overs for Cheeky & Gair and a Macpherson/Everett run out caused more than a few nerves in the Broomhall ranks but with so few runs to play with skipper Warren & Breen saw the visitors home in the 22nd over.  

It was a poor batting display from the home side that had cost them the game.  Broomhall to their credit bowled and took their catches well, but had we batted out our overs and got to three figures it would have made for a much more interesting game.  On the bright side there was another good innings from Craig, while Adam, Cheeky & Gair all bowled very well.

Scorecard

129 for 7 (30 0vers)

Keith Murray 45, James Hilton 34

James was bowled on 34, while Keith eased past his highest ever score and was in sight of a maiden 50 when he was out in the unluckiest of circumstances - the bowler deflecting a well hit Mo Ahmed drive onto the stumps with Keith out of the non-striker's crease. Mo hit out well to finish on 19 not out, well supported by Bob Irvine who once again showed the Edinburgh South bowlers that he's a good timer of the ball.

After early wickets for Bob, James and Cheeky, South needed 90 to win with 7 wickets in hand and it seemed anybody's game. Cheeky was unlucky not to pick up another wicket and a couple of run-out chances went begging as the home side's 4th wicket partnership between Rupani and De Silva took the match away from Carlton 4s, with South eventually winning comfortably with over 6 overs to go.

Scorecard

131 all out

Chayank Gosain 3 for 19, Bob Irvine 2 for 13, Iain Martin 2 for 17

204 all out

Mike Kennedy 103, Brent Lockie 40

Peebles won the toss and inserted Carlton on a pitch that had been under water 24hrs earlier.  Opening pair McCosh and Ramsay caused problems on a wicket that stopped and occasionally shot vertically off a length.  Carlton were in trouble at 30-3 when Mike Kennedy joined a peeble-dashed Brent Lockie at the crease.  

After taking his customary three “sighter “ balls and being surprised to find himself still there, Mike decided to take the pitch out of the equation and adopt a Babe Ruth style of batting.  He was particularly brutal to anything, whether short/full/yorkers/leg-side/offside/full bungers/occasional pies.  Like Desperate Dan at an “All you Can Eat” Cow Pie banquet he feasted on the change bowling.  An umpire’s dream, feet firmly planted outside of leg, unmoving except to clear his left leg even further towards mid-wicket he bludgeoned the ball to all parts. His first and last scoring shots were sixes, there were nine more between, plus 5 one bounce fours in a belligerent 103.  Brent supported with 40 good cricket runs and Ali Scott performed a short Mike Kennedy tribute in a speedy 25 (4x4, 1x6).  To their credit the Peebles bowlers stuck at the task and after Mike’s dismissal the innings fell away quickly to 204 all out in 33 overs.  Young Ramsay bowled excellently at the start and end of the innings to finish with 3-18 and P Murray claimed Kennedy’s wicket and finished with 4-31.

The Peebles openers got off to a good start on a pitch that was still misbehaving for any bowler with the patience to bowl line and length.  They progressed to 58 for one after 14 overs until three wickets fell in skipper Bob Irvine’s 4th over.  Wicketkeeper Scott was the first to go, run out by smart work by Fraser Allardice and Bob, who was aware enough to pull a stump out of the ground after he had trampled the wicket in his excitement to get back to the timbers.  The other two came courtesy of two exceptional catches in the slips by Brent and Liam Prescott.

After that Peebles were struggling to keep up with the run rate.   All Carlton bowlers performed and special mention to juniors Cheeky Gosain (4-0-19-3), Iain Martin (3.1-0-17-2) and veteran Bob Irvine (8-2-13-2).   Peebles were dismissed in the 33rd over for 131, leaving Carlton victors by 63 runs.  Sheppard was unbeaten on 30 and P Murray followed up his 4 wickets with 25 at the top of the order.

As always Peebles were great hosts and Kennedy’s manic 60 minute exhibition of hitting separated the sides.  Six under 14’s were playing (5 for Carlton plus Ramsay of Peebles) and they were a credit...batting, bowling and fielding.  Good luck to Peebles for the remainder of the season as they chase promotion.

Scorecard

134 all out

Shaun Barrett 37, James Hilton 27

Leith entertained the 4s down at Leith Links.  The combination of the dodgy weather and the imminent arrival of the festival meant there was very little going on down at the links as the city prepared itself for sunnier and busier days.   Skipper Murray won the toss and his “bat first muscle” twitched into action.

Kyle Macpherson was done early doors by a ball from Vyas that climbed to unnatural proportions off a length, found an edge and nestled safely in folds of stomach flesh at first slip.   William Brown joined Shaun Barrett at the crease and made the scorers’ life easier:  A tall elegant, youthful bat at one end and a small, round, curmudgeon scratching around at the other.  The unlikely pair took the score to 47 before Brown was dismissed by Middleton for 18.  The Carlton innings fell away as wickets tumbled regularly and only James Hilton offered any serious resistance in an entertaining 27 before holing out as he tried to deposit a third ball into the nearby allotments.  Carton were dismissed for 135 in the 38 over.  Barrett (39) or Hilton needed to go on and make a significantly bigger score and 135 was under par for the day.

Fraser Allardice and Ruari Macpherson opened for Carlton and they proved hard to get away on the slow Leith pitch.  Opener Pugh gave Carlton some early encouragement by chipping Macpherson to mid –off where Alan Murray was waiting to take a comfortable catch.  With John Watt looking solid at the one end, riding his luck occasionally, and support from the other Leith bats, who all got into double figures, the home team ambled towards the Carlton total.  The game was completed in the 36th over with 5 Leith wickets down.   Watt was unbeaten on 65, a really solid, well constructed innings;  Macpherson (8-3-23-3) and Gosain (8-1-16-1) were the pick of our bowlers and Alan Murray took three excellent catches.  The only entertainment came as Barrett tried to imitate “a dog catching a Frisbee” by attempting to snaffle a flat batted heave in his mouth down at long on.  After copious ice and a brief discussion as to whether he would still be able to drink beer after the game we continued.

Leith were worthy winners; they bowled and batted better than Carlton.  Watt’s innings was the match winning one.  Carlton’s six juniors once again showed they are comfortable playing at this level against adult opponents.  Thanks to Leith for their hospitality and good luck for the rest of the season.

Scorecard

Photos

home

Pef

12.30

Adam Weir 2 for 21, Mike Kennedy 2 for 23

Shaun Barrett 60

Confronted by a council pitch that was uncovered through a week's worth of torrential rain, the Carlton batsmen were relieved when "always bat first" skipper Alan Murray lost the toss and Carlton were consigned to the field at Campbell Park. Junior David Mitchell and Paul Logan made their Carlton debuts.

Kirk Brae's opening pair of Doug Jones & Mak Raja are in the middle of a prolific season. With 650 runs between them and Raja comfortably the Division's top runs scorer (450) we expected a tough day, but neither had ever faced Adam Weir bowling on custard. Adam's first ball terrorised Jones as it hit the non-Newtonian surface about half way down, and losing 97% of its energy it never arrived. Doug waited, and waited, and finally lost patience and gently spooned it to cover where Paul Logan took an easy catch. Raja, sporting a "Mr Spock headband" from "Star Trek IV - The Voyage Home" raised one eyebrow and looked on quizzically from the other end.....after that it was cricket but not as we know it.

Scorecard

home

ROS

83 all out

Mike Kennedy 3 for 12, Euan Everett 3 for 17

Scorecard

James Hilton 37, Euan Everett 22 not out, Kyle Macpherson 21

home

GL

181 for 3

Carlton welcomed Dunfermline to Grange Loan; Carlton had 5 juniors on show and Dunfermline brought 6.  So in a week when Disney made its first approaches to acquire Marvel Comics it seemed appropriate that half the players on show dreamt about being super heroes, winning the game single handed and then modestly accepting the plaudits of a grateful crowd … the other half were serious cricketers, they had school the next day and were beyond such childish fantasies.  Dunfermline won the toss and chose to bat. 

The Dunfermline innings was dominated by mild mannered Jordan Davidson who in true super hero fashion started unassumingly until KAPOW, BIFF, THWACK, he started dispatching balls to all corners of the field.  It would surely end soon as balls spiralled high into the deep but somehow in true comic book fashion they either evaded fielders or found inadequate sidekicks who conspired to spill the catches. Carlton claimed only three wickets in the innings and one of them was Jordan off the last ball as he tried to smite one more ball to the boundary.  Davidson’s 116 equalled a career best in his side's 181 in their 40 overs.

Carlton’s openers Barrett and Macpherson started brightly with 60 at 4 an over before both fell in quick succession – both caught behind chasing wide balls off Davidson by Bat Fink like wicketkeeper Penman.  The middle order folded until skipper James Hilton provided some hope with belligerent hitting straight down the ground.  Once James was out, caught Davidson….at this time we were searching for Kryptonite to subdue him….hopes of a Carlton victory were extinguished.  Euan Everett and Cheeky Gosain put together a great last wicket stand and took the Carlton score to 161-9 off the 40 overs with Euan left on 22no.  Dunfermline dominated in all aspects of the game and deservedly emerged victors by 20 runs.

On the day man-boy Davidson was excellent with bat and ball and U15 Jamie Penman behind the stumps had a fantastic game with 3 catches.  Unfortunately Dunfermline couldn’t stay to share a beer as they were rushing back to see their 1st  XI hump Greenock in the Scottish Cup.  Clearly a club on the up with a strong junior section and we look forward to playing them next year.

Scorecard

Photos

128 all out

Ruari Macpherson 3 for 9, Fraser Allardice 3 for 21

143 for 6

Craig Everett 25, Alan Murray 23

A youthful 4th XI set off for Fife with Richard Allardice making his debut (after impressing with the bat in the parents match). Having lost the toss we were invited to bat by a Largo side who were as old as we were young. The Allardices opened with Fraser looking to play the senior role, but unfortunately he edged a lifting delivery from Hunter in the second over. Craig and Richard then saw off the opening bowlers although runs were hard to come by due to the shaggy outfield and some athletic fielding by the home side. At drinks we had amassed a mere 40 runs and Richard perished shortly after having decided to introduce some much needed acceleration. Ruari joined Craig and the pair combined well to get the scoreboard moving until Ruari was run out after some excellent Largo fielding. The sight of two Everett brothers at the crease was short lived as Craig edged Matthews behind for a well made 25. Skipper Murray entered the fray and with Euan took the total into three figures before the younger Everett was bowled by the returning Hunter. With overs running out a few big hits from Alan & Alex got things moving again, and although the skipper holed out with a couple of overs to go, David gave Alex excellent support to take the total to 143 off our allotted overs. After the early loss of Fraser, Richard dug in admirably and the youngsters at 3, 4 & 5 batted particularly well, pacing their innings beautifully. This allowed Alan & Alex license for a more agricultural approach to the latter stages.

After a fine tea 12 year olds Euan & Ruari opened the bowling, immediately hitting a good line & length. This was duly rewarded in the 4th over as Ruari clean bowled the younger McFarlane with a beautiful swinging delivery. Both finished their spells well ensuring the home side was well behind the rate. Haris replaced Euan and with Fraser at the other end they continued the good work, regularly troubling the batsmen. Haris eventually made the breakthrough trapping Ritchie plumb in front and two overs later removed Fleming after a stunning one-handed catch from Richard. By this stage Ruari had come back as the pressure of the early tight bowling was beginning to tell on home side. The tenacious opener Dakin tried to force a Ruari delivery through the infield only to sky it and Euan to take fine running catch. In his final over Ruari picked up a third wicket, clean-bowling Mathews. Keshav came on for Haris and Euan replaced Ruari with the home side needing 93 off 16. Some big hitting from Hunter kept them in touch with the rate but more good bowling from Euan saw him pick up the wicket of McFarlane Snr. Fraser came back and picked up Jess with a good low return catch to his right and in his next over had home skipper adjudged leg before. Hunter was still going strong at the other end but with just over 2 overs to go Fraser bowled him as he tried on big shot too many. The next over Keshav induced Grieve to demolish his own stumps giving the 4s a fine victory.

We had backed up the good batting display with excellent bowling from our all under 13 attack and some fine fielding. Thanks to Largo for a very enjoyable game.

Scorecard

189 for 6

Ali Scott 52, Martin Robertson 48, Craig Everett 39, Shaun Barrett 28

home

GL

122 for 6

Ruari Macpherson 2 for 32

There was much to play for in the last game of the 4’s season.  Typical end of season, meaningless drivel may have been played out at other grounds in the East of Scotland but not so at Grange Loan.  The main prize was fantasy cricket points.  Oh and Holy Cross needed to take 7 points to gain promotion to Division 7.

Holy Cross won the toss and invited Carlton to bat.  Openers Shaun Barrett and Kyle McPherson faced the miserly pair of Geddes and McGill.  Carlton’s pair began cautiously; Holy Cross assumed it was due to the accuracy of their opening attack but the Carlton spectators on the hill knew better, Barrett needed 3 to move ahead of Duerden in the fantasy player’s league.  On 6 Gilly was sent tumbling down the rankings, 6 more runs and Swanny was condemned to obscurity and a further 6 saw Saturday’s 2’s hero Ben Stewart put in his place.  Barrett was on a roll....30 more runs and Wine Gum connoisseur Nick Martin and Brett Lee’s best mate Fraggle would be toast....only 298 more runs and Cedric’s reign at the top would be over.  Then disaster struck on 28, a faint bottom edge, thinner than the thinnest wafer mint and with six juniors in the side looking for good examples to follow he walked, swearing quietly all the way to the pavilion.

After that the whole game could have been an anti-climax but fortunately first Craig Everett then Ali Scott and finally Martin Robertson rescued the situation.  Everett (left) cut and pulled like Harry Pilling in his prime, running two’s so often that Keith Murray needed CPR at the drinks break.  Shortly afterwards Craig was gone for 29, bowled by one that jagged back from Shahazad.....super innings.  Ali Scott was asked to bat till 35overs...i.e. don’t try and hit the covers off till u can see the ball...and amazingly he did.  Starting diligently, progressing confidently to mayhem and finishing at carnage Ali claimed his second 50 of the year until he gave up his wicket in a suicidal run.  Robertson had his bat reconditioned last week, freshly sanded and botox injected, we were nervous he wouldn’t want it marked with ugly red blemishes.  No need to worry he started with a whack through mid off, a forward defensive that pinged over extra cover, single bounce for four, and a slap through point.  10 overs from him would be plenty.  Martin also perished in the last over for 48, deliberately running himself out so he could milk the applause in his solitary walk to the pavilion.  Carlton amassed 189 for 6 in their 40 overs, Holy Cross got 3 bowling points.

After a hearty tea Holy Cross resumed ....190 to win the game and 110 to gain the extra 4 batting points they needed for promotion.  Mike Nevin and skipper Ken Lawrie opened against the U13 attack of Euan Everett and Ruari Macpherson.  As we’ve come to expect, the bowling was immaculate.  Ruari bowled Nevin and soon after tempted big hitting number 3 Metha to hit a ball to cover where brother Kyle took the catch.  Thereafter, Lawrie and keeper Russell dug in, 110 was clearly their target and 190 was a distant dream.  Fraser Allardice and Ali Scott continued to provide little to hit as Holy Cross just about kept on track to deliver the 110 they needed in the full quota of overs.  After a period of consolidation, three wickets fell quickly, first Euan ran out Lawrie, Cheeky bowled Ellis (below) with one that turned a mile and the Everetts combined to send Sharpe back. 

With the score on 60 – 5, the introduction of President Carter in the 26th over to bowl through did nothing to suggest that 110 was going to be straightforward.  Colin McGill joined Russell but we were confident of getting rid of him.....15 overs to bat without a cigarette would surely be too much....he would break.  Colin sought relief by quoting the 1949 Geneva Convention and the 1977 Protocols governing”treatment of prisoners in armed conflicts “under International Humanitarian Law.  Although ratified by 167 countries, Colin could produce no evidential proof that Roddy Smith had signed up on behalf of Scottish cricket so his pleas were rejected.  Reminiscent of a Billy Ocean tribute band “when the going gets tough, the tough get going...” Scott and Colin took Holy Cross to their “bonus points” target with 9 balls to spare, Scott collected his 50 before being run out off the last ball of the innings by Fraser Allardice.  McGill was left anticipating his nicotine fix on 29 not out.  Carlton’s bowlers all came away with excellent figures, Euan Everett with 8-2-10-1 was marginally the pick.

Super game played in great spirits.  After the game we congratulated Holy Cross on their promotion only to find out that an administrative error from Kirkbrae/Peebles earlier in the season meant they really needed 12 points for promotion not 7.  Commiserations from all at Carlton on narrowly missing out....but as a batsman would I rather play on the pudding pitches at Broomhall,  Edinburgh South and Peebles or at Arboretum Road  ......... mmmmmmmmmmm.... close call?  I think not.   Looking forward to two more great games with the boys from Holy Cross next season.

Scorecard

Photos