Match conceded by Penicuik

Coach Stirling reports ...

A game that bought some quality cricket and many laughs for the Carlton Under 13 cup team who played Gala at a windy and cold Peffermill.

The Carlton team arrived in very good spirits and for some reason unknown decided that it would be the perfect time to gather around and one by one throw some abuse at me with Gregor Shand stating that I was small enough to easily play in the Under 13 age group and then proceeding to single handedly beat me up much to the amusement of fellow team mates and team manager Kevin Whitaker!

Carlton were sent in to bat first and Carlton batted very well as Ruairidh Main and Murray Whitaker both managed to score 30 not out before retiring which saw Carlton race to 83-1 after 11 overs!

The new batsmen managed to hang around and rotate the strike with at least 1 boundary being hit each over which kept the scoreboard ticking freely and eventually saw Carlton end on 124/5 after 20 overs.

Carlton then went out to bowl which once again saw the players try to kill me with balls being thrown at my head "by mistake" on numerous occasions when returning the ball back to the bowler who was some 20 metres behind me I might add! Safe to say perhaps there is some sort of cunning plan being set up by the boys here??

Carlton managed to restrict Gala to 5-2 after 5 overs thanks to some good accurate swing bowling by openers Pete Gill and Angus Beattie. The foot was let off the accelerator a bit as Gala managed to get to 36-2 after 9 overs due to some magnificent cricket shots by the Gala number 4. Then came the match winning over, Charlie Russell was given the ball and proceeded to bowl a wide with his first ball but after being threatened (very nicely I might add) with fitness training if he didn't bowl straight proceeded to get a hat-trick in what was a great display of the rewards you get if you bowl full and straight! But he was not done! The next delivery which just fell short of the fielder at mid wicket was not enough to get the new batsmen off strike and he was then caught by Murray Whitaker with a fantastic diving catch at short cover which meant Charlie's over went for 1 run and picked up 4 wickets!

Carlton then managed to wrap up Gala's innings, Gala finishing on 54 all out!

A great all round performance from the Under 13's!

Special mentions must go to Ruairidh Main and Murray Whitaker both retiring on 30 and Charlie Russell who ended with figures of 3 overs,5 wickets for 2 runs! As well as Angus Beattie who finished with figures of 3 overs, 2 wickets for 4 runs!

Well played lads!

Excellent risk free batting from the Carlton top order set the home side a challenging total. Six very good opening overs from Under 11s Pete Gill and Gregor McIntyre made sure the chase was always under control, before Charlie and Angus pitched in with a couple of wickes apiece.