244 for 5

Grant Newman 127, Joss Beharrel 41

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248 for 6

Mike Kennedy 3 for 21

121 all out

Leigh Kasperek 3 for 12, Amit Bij 2 for 8

122 for 7

Joss Beharrel 42, Alex Fedenczuk 31*

Having won the toss SMRH elected to bat on the artificial pitch at Inverleith. The bright sunshine of the previous week had been replaced with low cloud and freezing temperatures and the skipper turned to Mike Kennedy and Dave Carter to open the bowling. Once again Dave Carter bowled his usual miserly spell claiming two important wickets in the process (10-0-33-2). Gavin Rittoo again played a great supporting role (7-1-20-1) but with SMRH 75/2 after 23 overs the skipper turned to his vast array of spinners hoping that they could produce some magic and magic they produced. With Cheeky tying up one end with nagging line and length (10-0-30-0) the damage proceeded to be inflicted by Amit (5-0-8-2) and Leigh Kasperek with her cleverly flighted off-spin (4-0-12-3). SMRH all out 121 (40 overs). 

The SMRH innings had made it clear that it was going to be important to get a start and with patience build an innings. Unfortunately the top order struggled with SMRH bowling good line and length and very soon Amit, Grant and Leigh were back sitting on the bench contemplating what went wrong. Carlton 28/3 (12 overs). What Carlton needed was a solid partnership and Feds and Joss set about restoring some respectability to the Carlton total. Feds ever patient and watchful held up an end as Joss set about the bowling once set, hitting one glorious six and six fours has he completed his second forty in a row. Carlton 100/4 (33 overs). First Jim MacDonald, then Liam Prescott and finally Mike Kennedy all fell cheaply and at 108/7 there was plenty of nervousness exhibited on the bench. However the concern was short lived as Feds calmly compiled another not out having opened the innings to see Carlton home, having been ably supported by Cheeky, to register our first win of the season.

Scorecard

198 for 8 (45)

Grant Newman 82, Alex Fedenczuk   30*

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155 all out

200 for 8

Grant Newman 49, Joss Beharrel 36, Seb Rae 34

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171 all out

Gavin Rittoo 4 for 25, Leigh Kasperek 2 for 20

236 for 7

Mo Ahmed 2 for 31

237 for 3

Aravind Srinivasan 100*, Seb Rae 98

With the likes of Ross Burns, Akeel Aslam, Seb Rae, Mo Ahmed, joining a good mix of more senior and junior players along with first gamer Aravind Srinivasan, a more professional approach to the pre-match warm-up ensued with all manner of run throughs, stretching and motivational talk taking place. Thankfully this reporter was excused due to the need to nurse a sore calf but just watching the team prepare indicated that everyone was serious about the game and recognised this match as a pivotal game in our season.

Having lost the toss and being asked to bowl, we were once again faced with a howling gale, and if anything it was stronger than the previous week. Mo Ahmed and Seb Rae manfully took up the opening bowling duties. With some accurate and penetrating bowling Mo soon had both Dunfermline openers back in the pavilion and with Seb bowling without luck Carlton had the home team 42/2 after 13 overs. This then brought David Mitchell into the attack for his first bowl in the Carlton 3rd XI and he continued to apply pressure to the batsmen. Having to make huge allowances for the cross gale David bowled with great control and flight  (6 -1 -23-1) and fully deserved his wicket which was well caught by Srinivasan at mid-off. A change of bowler at the pavilion end brought the ever dependable David Carter on to once again deliver a Carteresque spell (10-1-29-1) and with only 20 overs remaining Dunfermline were struggling at 100/5. However at this stage of the innings the Dunfermline batsmen began to take some chances and with some fine hitting from the number 6 & 7 began to get on top of the Carlton bowlers. Most pleasing however was the way both Gavin Rittoo (10-0-62-2) and Leigh Kasperek (5-0-0-32) stuck to their task in the face of some aggressive batting and the experience will prove invaluable as we head into summer.  Then with a double change Mo and Seb were brought back into the attack with Mo finishing with fine figures of 10-1-31-2 and Seb picking up a deserved wicket (9-0-50-1). Dunfermline 236/7 from 50 overs.

While 236 was a decent score on a wicket that had something for the bowlers the conditions were not the easiest for bowling and with a strong batting line-up the run chase was approached with quiet confidence. Seb opened with Grant and they slowly went about nullifying the opening bowlers and by the time Grant departed Carlton were 46/1 in 14 overs. This brought Aravind to the crease and what was to follow was some of the best controlled batting 3rd XI cricket has seen in a long time. Eliminating all risks, Aravind and Seb increased the run rate with some glorious on & off drives, square drives, cuts, pulls and exemplary running between wickets such that with 20 overs remaining Carlton were 141/1 and in total control. From this point the question was whether either of these players could go on to post a century as they continued to play shots to all parts of the ground. Quickly both batsmen approached their individual milestones but unfortunately Seb (98) was caught in front, struck on the pads and the reluctant finger was raised. A great partnership (170) had come to an end leaving Carlton with only 21 runs for victory. Ross came and went quickly, having managed to delight us with his signature square drive for four. It was then left to Aravind and Leigh to see us through with Aravind managing to score the required 2 runs off the last ball of the innings that not only secured victory but in the process registered his maiden century for Carlton. Carlton winners by 7 wickets.

The Carlton 3rd XI this week once again reflected just how strong this Cricket Club is, not only in its depth of ability but in the attitude and professionalism of the players. The examples provided by Ross, Akeel, Seb, and Aravind by their approach to the game is so important in ensuring that their younger team mates have the role models they require and is gratefully acknowledged by the skipper. 

Scorecard

166 for 0

Seb Rae 91*, Kyle Macpherson 68*

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162 all out

Leigh Kasperek 5 for 22

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89 all out

Chayank Gosain 3 for 14, Gavin Rittoo 3 for 19, Mo Ahmed 2 for 7

90 for 1

Aravind Srinivasan 52*, Jimmy Guest 31*

While the pitch had been covered during the week both sides were uncertain as to how it would play as there were many soft areas interspersed with hard and with a well grassed outfield it was imperative that we chased every ball to the boundary and the message was given that we were not to give up on anything.

The skipper opened up the bowling with Josh Walker and Mo Ahmed and in tandem they produced the best opening spell of the season. Both bowlers had the Stenhousemuir openers playing and missing on a regular basis and taking the edge only to see the catch dropped or fly wide of the fielders. Eventually however Mo and wicket keeper Everett combined to take the first wicket and from this point Carlton did not look back. Shortly after, Josh picked up a well deserved wicket with a catch to Feds in the covers and the wickets began to tumble with regularity. A double change followed and this brought Cheeky and Ruari into the attack. With both bowlers concentrating on bowling in the right areas and with the fielding concentration at the best levels all season, Stenhousemuir were struggling to score and as the pressure mounted Cheeky produced his best spell of the season (10-5-14-3).

Due to the limit on overs for junior fast bowlers Ruari was replaced by Gavin and once again Gavin did what he does best by bowling with great accuracy and control and ensured that the run rate was kept at two an over while picking up three valuable wickets.

With the run rate under control the skipper turned to Ferg Whatley and Mo to wrap up the tail which they did clinically and efficiently, Ferg ripping the ball with great control and accuracy that resulted in prodigious turn and a wicket and Mo claiming the final wicket with a ball that clipped the top of off stump leaving Stenhousemuir all out for 89 in the 47th over.

After tea Carlton opened the batting with Jimmy Guest and Craig Everett however after 3 overs we were off for rain. Questions were asked as to what impact the delay would have and phone apps were engaged and ESCA run tables consulted. Fortunately the rain resulted in only a 30 minute delay and Stenhousemuir must be congratulated on their eagerness to return to the field.

Unfortunately, shortly after the resumption Craig was out LBW to a ball that nipped back and Carlton was 6/1 in the 6th over. The fall of the wicket brought Aravind Srinivasan to the crease and no one would have known he had not batted since his debut century 4 weeks earlier. With glorious driving and timing Aravind (52no) dominated the bowling and with great support from Jimmy (32no) sensibly playing the ball along the ground and into the gaps the run rate escalated to such an extent that the game was won in the 22nd over with no further loss of wicket. Carlton winning by 9 wickets.

Scorecard

222 for 7

Grant Newman 78, Fraser Allardice 74

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143 all out

Leigh Kasperek 3 for 3, Fergus Whatley 3 for 41

139 all out

Fergus Whatley 3 for 37

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84 all out

Chayank Gosain 3 for 10, Haris Aslam 3 for 27

85 for 2

Kyle Macpherson 32*, Ross Burns 32*

The 3rd XI set out for Musselburgh this week with a particularly youthful side including 7 under 16 players.  This seemed to be very positive at first, as there would be plenty of willing and able bodies to run and around and create urgency in the field, however the age make-up of the side quickly posed problems in terms of transport.  With only two cars between eleven players (one of which was stylish though impractical BMW with a capacity of two players and one cricket bag) the services of two non-playing chauffeurs were acquired in the form of Andy Macpherson and Richard Allardice. 

Acting skipper Ross Burns tossed successfully and sent Musselburgh into bat on a soft, low bouncing wicket.  Opening the bowling were newly returned Jamie Davies and spinner Haris Aslam.  Jamie’s pace and bounce from ball one surprised everyone, not least wicket keeper Kamran Wells, who dropped a catch in the first over in an ultimately failed attempt to fix the match in Musselburgh’s favour.  Haris’ first over was especially eventful, with a smooth pick up and throw from Kyle at backward point, and skilful glove work from Matthew resulting in a run out, taking the wicket of the number 2 batsman.  The number 3 bat also came and went during the over, after Haris’ flight coaxed him out of his crease, setting up a straightforward stumping.

The Davies-Aslam bowling partnership frustrated the batsman, and sharp fielding all round made scoring runs even more difficult.  Jamie ended up with figures of 9-1-29-1, although he was unlucky not to have taken 3 or 4 wickets more, as some hard catching opportunities went down.  Haris bowled through his ten overs at an economical 10-2-27-3.

As the integrity of the press is a particular topic of interest in the news at the moment, it probably reflects badly on me that I accepted a bribe after the game by H. Aslam, in exchange for leaving out certain details about his spell.  In order to honour our agreement, I have censored the next part of the match report in accordance with his wishes.

Haris bowled very tightly and his wickets were useful in preventing partnerships from forming.  However there was very little reason why his three wickets couldn’t have been four.  Whilst he was bowling the ball was chipped straight up in the air and it can only be said that Haris dr**ped a complete sitter off his own bowling.  He looked well set underneath the ball but it unfortunately fell straight through his h**nds.  I hope this paragraph has satisfied the terms of Haris’ injunction.

A solid partnership from Ruari Macpherson (2-15) and Cheeky (3-10) made short work of the Musselburgh lower order and finished them off with 22 overs to spare.  The highlight of Carlton’s fielding performance were the three expert catches taken by Ross, one at first slip to give Jamie his wicket, another diving forward from the long on boundary off cheeky’s bowling, but the most impressive of all was at mid on.  Haris bowled, was chipped, seemingly over the skipper’s head, but a hugely athletic dive backward and up saw the ball into Rosco’s hands, with a hang time that the Wright brothers would have originally aspired to.

With the home side dismissed for just 84 runs, the stage looked set for perhaps a ten wicket victory.  Kyle Macpherson and Tom Barrett opened up, mindful of the slow and low pitch.  Tom was dubiously given out LBW in the 3rd over by umpire Matthew Akmal (perhaps in a final attempt to sabotage the game for the home side).  As out walked Tom and in walked Fraser Allardice at number 3, Tom’s advice was simply, “Don’t let it hit your pads”.  Mindful of Tom’s words, Fraser resolved to instead let the ball hit his leg stump, first ball.

This untimely dismissal gave way for skipper Burns, and continuing in the same vein of leadership by example, got off the mark with a splendid four.  He and Kyle then proceeded to chase down the total with command and control, each ending up on unbeaten 32’s.  A solid win for the third Eleven, keeping them well in contention for promotion. 

254

Jimmy Guest 112

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230 all out

Mo Ahmed 3 for 27, Josh Walker 3 for 41

81 all out

Josh Walker 25, Ruari Macpherson 19

This week the 3rd XI travelled the short trip to Double Hedges to take on the League leading Kirk Brae 1st XI in what would amount to a title deciding bout. Which team would land the knockout punch was anyone’s guess but at the weigh-in Kirk Brae lost the toss and the Carlton skipper elected to send the opposition in on a green soft deck with the hope of exploiting the conditions.

The Kirk Brae openers began cautiously with the League’s leading run scorer Steve Colvin being extremely watchful.. Mo Ahmed bowled well putting the ball in “the corridor of uncertainty” and was rewarded with Colvin’s wicket when playing the ball on.

This brought the Kirk Brae skipper, Bruce Smith, to the crease and together with Gandhe took control of the game as they managed to regularly find the boundary even with the slowest of outfields. In response a double change was made with Ahmed and Carter being replaced by Walker and Whatley. This change managed to keep the run rate at 4 an over but it wasn’t until the 27th over when Josh Walker snared 2 wicket in 2 balls that another wicket fell. Then with a run out a few overs later courtesy of a good chase and throw by Josh, there was a sense that Carlton was back in the game. Kirk Brae 134/4 in 32 overs.

The skipper by now was ringing the bowling changes in an attempt to keep the run rate down. To their credit Gavin Rittoo, Ferg Whatley, Rauri MacPherson and Nick Martin all valiantly tried to bowl to a plan but the Kirk Brae batsmen continued to bat sensibly on a difficult wicket and it wasn’t until Mo (10-1-27-3) and Josh (10-1-41-3) at the death finally put on the brakes in the last 5 overs while capturing 4 late wickets. Given the conditions Kirk Brae’s score of 230/9 was well above par.

Could Carlton get themselves off the ropes or were we to be sent to the canvas?

Mo Ahmed and Fergus Whatley enthusiastically accepted the challenge of opening the batting and took guard with great intent and purpose. Unfortunately it was not to be Carlton’s day at the batting crease as first Mo, then Ferg, quickly followed by Nick Martin, Ross Burns, Grant and Mike Kennedy all found themselves back in the pavilion wondering what had gone wrong.

Continuing with the boxing theme, too many of the Carlton batsmen were looking to deliver the knock–out blow rather than being patient and focus on working away at the body. It wasn’t until Ruari MacPherson and Craig Everett joined forces with the score at 32/6 in the 13th over that some sensible batting was witnessed and the Kirk Brae bowlers were forced to battle hard for their wickets. Both Ruari and Craig played each ball on its merits, watching the ball right onto the bat and in doing so showed their more mature and experienced team mates what could be achieved with a little graft and patience. Together both Ruari and Craig kept the bowling at bay for 17 overs demonstrating sound and compact techniques on a difficult wicket against accurate and penetrating bowling. While the partnership in terms of runs was minimal the experience gained by these two batsmen will prove invaluable to Carlton senior sides in the seasons ahead.

Once both Ruari and Craig departed it was left to Josh Walker to try and bring some respectability to the score which he did with some sensible hitting eventually being the last batsman out for an innings high score of 25.  Carlton all out for 81 runs.

Congratulations to Kirk Brae for securing the Division 4 Championships with such an emphatic win which highlights their dominance this season.

Unfortunately this result has left the 3rds with work to do in the final game of the season to ensure Carlton remains in 2nd position and eligible for promotion. This match is effectively a knockout final given that 3rds face Edinburgh University Staff who currently sit one position below us and who with a big win can secure promotion at our expense.

By applying ourselves to the task and remaining strong as a team, the skipper however is confident that the 3rds will prevail and another promotion will be earned.

Scorecard

Postscript: Edinburgh University Staff also lost their penultimate match, so Carlton 3rd XI are assured of a second place finish and, assuming no dramatic changes due to league reconstruction, have achieved promotion for the second successive year.

111 all out

Gavin Rittoo 7 for 22

166 for 4

Mo Ahmed 66

Having witnessed the wet conditions at Grange Loan prior to setting off for our final game of the season against Edinburgh University Staff (EUS), the Thirds were not confident of getting a game and being able to end the season on a high after our capitulation to Kirk Brae the previous week.

Thinking that the game was to be played at Peffermill it was a little disconcerting to find that no cricket was scheduled for the ground but fortunately Leigh Kasperek had had the foresight to check the ESCA website and confirm that we were in fact playing nearby at Cavalry Park. In the minds of the team however this change of venue was likely to reduce our chances of playing even further.

Upon arrival at the ground the customary pitch inspection was undertaken by all and to our disappointment the pitch was unplayable. While no surface water was visible each step taken on the pitch threw up great sprays of water and it was agreed that in order to have a game radical thinking was required.

Ross Burns, one of the few senior players in the team, immediately declared that the long grass to the side of the prepared pitch was playable and that all we needed was some white paint and a brush. The Cavalry Park groundsman’s permission was quickly obtained including being given access to white paint but alas no brush. Negotiations then ensured with the EUS captain who agreed to the proposal primarily because he was returning to Australia shortly and this was to be his last match on Scottish soil and given the previous weeks results sensed Carlton was ripe for the picking.

With a delegated paint brush purchaser sent off to acquire the necessary tool, the captains tossed , the call was made, Carlton lost and were sent into bat on a pitch that closely resembled the previous week's track at Double Hedges. The required brush by this time had been purchased, however rather than a 2” brush a 12” roller had been acquired resulting in the thickest crease lines ever appearing on an ESCA pitch and the need to ground the bat behind the line taking on a whole new meaning. The delays due to pitch preparation meant the match was reduced to 40 overs a side.

The difference this week however was that we went into bat with the knowledge that results last week meant that 2nd place in the Division was already ours but more importantly with recent experience in similar conditions. It was with satisfaction that this experience was applied and reflected in the Carlton batsmen's approach to their batting. While Craig Everett went early edging a ball that moved away, all the Carlton batsmen applied themselves well. Mo Ahmed, while being dropped on a number of occasions, batted sensibly in the conditions and made a crucial 66 allowing the other Carlton batsmen time to get used to the conditions and work the ball into the gaps for ones and twos.  First Kyle (17) then Ross (20), Fraser (21no) and Ruari (18no) each made useful contributions ensuring that wickets never fell in quick succession and useful partnerships resulted. Carlton 166/4.

There was a well deserved sense of satisfaction at tea with this score after the batting debacle the previous week and it was with confidence that Carlton took to the field. Josh Walker and Cheeky Gosain opened the bowling and while Josh struggled with control Cheeky bowled a good line and length in the conditions and restricted the run scoring.

The initial breakthrough however came from a run out resulting from an overthrow where Fraser Allardice pounced and had his throw quickly into Cheeky who removed the bails. Then to ensure the batsmen couldn’t get settled the Skipper rotated the bowlers at the pavilion end with Ruari and Mo continuing to apply scoreboard pressure with accurate spells while introducing Leigh Kasperek’s off spin after Cheeky had bowled his complement (8-0-27-0).

Leigh struck in her first over taking the wicket of Chandran who was beginning to look dangerous, caught in the deep by Fraser. Leigh was to strike again in her second over when she combined with Craig Everett to have MacDonald stumped, well out of his crease with the thick white line playing no part in his downfall not matter how much he wished it had.

By now we were into the 21st over and time for another change at the pavilion end. This change brought Gavin Rittoo to the bowling crease and was to have a huge impact on the complexion of the match. Immediately in his first over Gavin had 2 wickets including that of the EUS skipper Zanotti in his last match. However this over was only the entrée to what was to follow. Gavin proceeded to demolish the EUS batting line up taking further wickets in his 3rd and 5th over and 2 wickets in his 6th and 7th over. Through accurate bowling, batsman impatience and sound catching Gavin wrapped up the EUS innings in the 35th over and in the process claimed the best bowling figures for the season (7-1-22-7), resulting in 23 wickets for the season and a chance of being the leading wicket taker for Division 4. A tremendous effort. 

EUS 118/10. Carlton win by 48 runs.

With 9 players Under 19, this team reflected exactly what playing for Carlton is all about. That youthful enthusiasm and sound technique (special thanks to the coaching staff) results in all players being able to make  important contributions to not only individual wins but also to the overall success of the season. Whether it has been with bat or ball, behind the stumps or in the field the results this season are due to these young men and women understanding what it means to support their team mates and enjoy each others success and they have proven worthy ambassadors for the Carlton Cricket Club in Division 4 this season. 

Scorecard