Match conceded to Carlton as MDAFs / Penicuik could only raise 6 players.

To avoid the disappointment the Carlton admin team raised extra players from within the Carlton u 13 ranks and ensured that some cricket took place.

Two roughly equal teams were arranged and a game ensued once Alasdair had ensured the ground had dried out enough, a process aided by the players jumping up and down on towels to soak up excess water from the artificial pitch.

The first team scored 78, with Murray (15), new signing Louis (26), Mikey (9) and Tom (11) scoring the bulk of the runs aided by extras (16) from the visiting bowlers.

The second team (composed of 4 DAFs, 2 Penicuik and 5 Carlton players) batted out their 15 overs for 96 runs 45 of which were contributed by Carlton's Ruairidh (30 retired) and Douglas (15*) who both scored in true T20 fashion with a strike rate of 167% each. 

The bowling and fielding was good as we would expect from Carlton, only 6 extras being conceded. New boy, Peter Sawkins looked promising playing in his first hardball game, but like all the bowlers on the slightly moist surface, was unable to unleash his full potential for fear of slipping. We look forward to see what he can do. Pete recovered excellently from a Ruairidh onslaught in his first over to deliver a tight maiden in his second. Scott, Harry, Broy, Archie and Joy all had a run out and bowled two,or three overs each.

All in all it was good to get some cricket and we thank Alasdair for coming up to ensure that the ground was playable. And thanks also to the u13s who stepped in at the last minute to ensure we had two full sides......Pete, Euan, Joy, Scott and Douglas.

Ben reports ...

The boys arrived at an even colder Myreside pitch than yesterday's at Portgower for their second game in two days, this time in the ECB Cup. Gus went out to toss on the (very) small pitch and the lads were told it was batting first again.

Maino and TK opened up and looked in fine form with an opening partnership of 76 before TK was bowled for 33. Gus then went in gradually building up momentum and getting a good run rate ticking over whilst Maino was looking in good form smoking 6s like there was no tomorrow. Ruairidh was like a train all innings hitting his first fifty of the season! With Maino finished on 51 retired, Gus (34*) was scoring quickly and with Mikey (20*) doing the same the lads had set a very respectable total of 173 after the 20.

Everyone was eager to get out there and the returning Shandy opened the bowling and managed to get the ball swinging around. He got his man with a nice Yorker in his second over, finishing with very respectable figures of 1/7 off his 3 overs. There were fine bowling spells from Tristan, Ethan, Harry, Broy and Mikey. Harry bowled a beautiful spell snaffling 2/9 off 4 overs. Tristram deserves special mention for his economical spell of 1/3 off 4, including a wicket maiden first up, as does resting wicket keeper turned bowler Finley who delighted everyone with an opening maiden over and figures of 0/2 off 2! Not bad for a wicky!

Watsonian were restricted to 83 for 7 after 20 so a good performance by the lads and through to the next round!!!

Tristram reports ...

SMRH won the toss and decided to put Carlton into bat first, which with an equally strong batting and bowling side we were happy to do. After a flying start by Angus cutting a four off the first ball the tone was set for the match, Tom, looking to be offensive off some good opening bowling, was caught in the covers, which brought Ruairidh to the crease.

He and Angus built solidly rotating the strike well and putting the fielders under pressure before Ruairidh went for 12 to an LBW in the 7th over. As soon as Murray entered, the run rate stepped up a level, both Angus and Murray hitting boundaries every over and bringing the score to 78 when Murray departed for 28 bringing the big hitting Gregor Shand to the crease. Gregor got off the mark straight away giving the strike to Angus who was now in the zone and nearing his fifty which he reached by hitting some brilliant but very un-Angus like sixes! Angus’ 54 included six 4s with two 6s off his last two balls. Meanwhile Gregor was keeping the scoreboard ticking along very nicely himself with an array of fours and a six which brought him to 49 before he was bowled agonisingly one short of his fifty. With two relatively new batsmen at the crease with only a few overs left the run-rate slowed a tad before Mikey Brown was caught and bowled for 2. Gregor M then strode to the crease with two overs looking to finish off well, both he and Ben D did so leaving Carlton on 173 for 6 after 20 overs. 

Mikey (1 for 18) and Ethan (2 for 19) opened the bowling tidily, with Mikey striking first with the last ball of his 3 over spell. Ethan then took the wicket of the other opener with a solid catch by Tristram at square leg. Tristram (2 for 15) then came on first change and G-Mac second. In his second over he got their number 4 out with a great catch at mid-on from Scott Peggie. Another wicket fell the next ball from a good catch by Ruairidh bringing up a hat-trick ball on Tristram's penultimate ball which was drilled straight back at him at his head at a rate of knots…Tristram managed to stop the ball but injured his hand in the process. He just about completed his over but was unable to bowl again. It was now over to Scott (2 for 16) to restrain the SMRH big hitting middle order which he did very well with an economical first over and a wicket in both his second and third over. Ruairidh and Ethan tidied up the tail especially Ruairidh who after a wicket maiden first over courtesy of a sharp stumping by Ben finished with figures of 2 for 5 off three overs – the second wicket a good catch behind by Ben. This left SMRH on 104 after 20 overs.

A very comfortable 55 run victory for Carlton with possibly some rather too comfortable fielding. However a mention must be made of a very positive batting performance and a mention too to Scott who took two wickets with the ball and a very good catch. Round 1 of the Scottish Cup negotiated….Round 2 to come.

GMac reports ...

The U15's arrived at an unusually warm and sunny Peffermill to play Arbroath United in the Quarter Finals of the ECB Cup. A win would mean a trip to Finals Day in two weeks’ time. A strong Arbroath side challenged us throughout the first innings but the compact bowling and fielding unit of Carlton restricted Arbroath in the second.

Gav Rittoo set up a good fielding warm up, one of the best so far. The boys executed the drill well and after, sat down for a well deserved rest whilst Beattie looked for the opposition Captain. Beattie eventually found the captain and in true Carlton style, lost the toss.

Arbroath put Carlton in to bat on an artificial wicket which looked good to bat on. Arbroath proved they made the right decision when their opening bowler got a hat-trick and had us 2 for 3 in the first over with the loss of Muz Whit, Ru Main and Shandy. A good recovery by Beattie and Tommy K had us in a reasonably good position after a partnership of 55 but Gus fell in the 11th. GMac and Mikey also trudged back to the pavilion in the 12th. 63 for 4 became 63 for 6. Although he had a new partner almost every over TK was racking up the runs at the other end and advanced to a well deserved 52 retired out. Some good running from Peggs and Benno at the end gave us a good total of 108 for 9 after our twenty......a great recovery from a parlous 4 for 8.

The lads took to the field knowing that we had defended small totals in last year's competition and were well backed up today with a strong bowling unit. Mikey B and GMac opened, bowling good areas, the batsman found runs hard to come and many balls found the edge. After 5 Arbroath were on 16 for 1, Mikey B having removed the highly dangerous Arbroath keeper for a first ball duck.

Some good bowling from Shandy and Tristram also bowled well, good fielding and good keeping from Ben D restricted Arbroath to 43 for 2 off 12. Experienced head Tommy K shone in the limelight, once again, picking up 4 wickets, 3 in one over, including their key batsman. GMac and Murray finished the tail off with one and two wickets respectively, leaving Arbroath 68 all out and Carlton victors by 40 runs.

A good tea was taken after the second innings, supplied by all 11 boys (we mean the parents but we took the credit). Carlton's very own tea critic, Gav Rittoo, enjoyed the variety of sandwiches, cakes and crisps but failed to give a rating.

So off to Finals Day it is for us on the 21st of June. Thanks to Arbroath for a good Quarter Final, which consisted of 9 ducks over both innings. Also thanks to David Main and Gav for taking the team. Well done to Arbroath's opening bowler, who finished with 4 wickets. But the Man of the Match was big Tommy K who not only scored 52 runs but to rub it in finished with 4 wickets.