Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Alan Murray

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Mario reports ...

Carlton bowled first and wow! what a great start. Standards were set by the opening bowlers Ali Evans and Mario Olivier, bowling 14 overs up front for 3 wickets and just 20 odd runs. The other bowlers showed their class too, taking wickets and working hard to restrict the visitors. Drummo bowled 9 overs for just 13 runs (including one 6), Omar picked up two big wickets and Cheeky spun one past Ross for Simmo to take a stumping, keeping Heriot's to 170 for 9 in their 50 overs.

After tea, Carlton had a great second wicket stand between Fraser Watts and Kyle to take the score to 65. Although we unfortunately lost a few wickets Fraggle showed his class - old but not cold - with a classy 58! Then we had the professional finishing touches from our legends Drummo and Ali Evans who sealed a 5 wicket victory for us.

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The visitors won the toss and decided to field - always a brave decision in an evening T20 match - although the advent of pink cricket balls have made that less of a risk as in years gone by.

A steady start saw Carlton keep the scoreboard ticking but at the halfway stage of the innings Heriot's wouldn't have been unhappy with the score on 52 for the loss of McCann, Drummond, Pillai and Macpherson. However a top quality century partnership between Hugo Southwell and Fraser Watts helped Carlton post an impressive total of 175 for 4. Southwell, after giving himself time to get set, played an array of big strokes, hitting sixes round the ground including two massive strikes into the gardens on the other side of Lover's Loan.

Hearn and Knox got Heriot's off to a good start before Omar Ahmad parried then caught a drive from the Wildcats' coach. Arun Pillai then had Hearn play on after an aggressive 42. Omar picked up an even better caught and bowled to dismiss Mark Watt for the second time in a week, with further wickets for Arun and Hugo leaving Heriot's on 122 for 4 off 15.

Sean Weeraratna took Heriot's close but when he was caught on the boundary in the final over by Fraser Watts for an aggressive 41, to give Hugo Southwell his third wicket, the match was over.

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Fraggle reports ...

It was an overcast but dry day with a sharp nip in the air when the wind blew. Our annual trip to Portgower Place got off to a good start when we lost the toss and were offered the chance to bowl in what I thought were perfect conditions for seam bowling. The heavy overcast atmosphere and ‘true’ but slightly damp wicket were something I would have thrived on during my days as a fiery fast bowler. If you get a second, ask me about the 6 for I got against Leicestershire when I were a lad….Dan Marsh twice in the game too…..

Anyway, the long gangly due of Mario and Ali Evans took the new ball and there was action straight away when Nick Farrar only got half forward to an Evans beauty in the first over and saw his stumps disturbed.

The second over saw Flannagan smash Mario’s first ball over cover for a brilliant four and he looked like he might do it again second ball but decided to leave a straight one instead. Grange 2 for not many.

Mommsen was next to the crease and duly chipped one to Evans at point for 4. Mario had two and was very excited. We was raising his / the roof.

Foulds forgot the footie season was over and decided to volley an Evans full bunger into the top corner to give Grange the lead, only to be told he couldn’t do that and had been sent off. A 3 match ban should follow.

Baum came in and tried to pull an Olivier short ball over square leg for a massive bomb (you see what I have done there!) only to scoop it to Gosain at sq leg. Goshy and his massive hands made no mistake.

Evans at this point had lost interest and was too busy eating leaves off a nearby tree so was replaced by Southwell who was late for the warm ups due to a family overnight bout of food poisoning. There was speculation he just didn’t want to play touch rugby in the warm up again after being left for dead by a Gosain side step in the last match. Highly embarrassing.

Southwell removed the rotund Grange stalwart McCallum, again to another super catch from Gosain diving full length to his left. That wicket was followed in quick succession by the wickets of Goudie and Aslam.

Calum ‘Chad’ Everest also bowled a tidy 4 over spell and was unlucky not to pick up a brace but it was left to Mario to come back and finish off the Grange tail taking two wickets in two balls to claim his first (of many I’m sure) 5 fer for the club. You could hear Archie McPherson saying ‘they'll be dancing in streets of Carlton tonight’. Mario didn’t let Archie down.

Disappointingly we had to go and bat straight away so there was no time for the openers to put their feet up and have a snooze. Some might say selfish of the bowlers.

The openers got Carlton off to a good start and it seemed like the Grange spirit was broken when the runs were scored at a canter in 12 overs. A cracking day all round for the Carlton massive. Drummo was extra pleased as we got to have tea at Grange and then get back to Carlton for tea there too. Happiness is a double dose of tea. Hurrrraaaaaaahhhhhh.

 

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Dr C C Smith

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Newly promoted Glenrothes won the toss and asked the home side to bat, hopeful that overnight rain and some cloud cover would help them make early inroads. Nevertheless, the opening pairing of Macpherson and Pillai (below) got off to a decent start before they both departed within three runs of each other, Arun being adjudged lbw and Kyle then picking out the cover fielder.

Ali threatened to stage a recovery with the skipper but he also fell lbw. It was left to Hugo to create a platform with Stevie and the pair had Carlton 103 for 3 at drinks. Some big hitting accelerated the scoring before Gilly, on 69, picked out long on as he tried to find the road. Although Drummo was bowled by a suddenly fired up Riswan as he upped the rate, Hugo managed to repeat his trademark straight 6 into the gardens on the other side of Grange Loan before he fell just short of a well-deserved ton, holing out for 96 with his side on 250 for 6. The lower order then capitulated in the face of a revitalised Glenrothes pro to fall to 252 all out.

Mario picked up an early wicket as Rai edged to Tom (below) but then pulled up lame and had to be replaced by sub Dougal Main who spent the remainder of the afternoon tearing round the boundary to great effect. Glens’ opener Greaves, who has shown a liking for the Grange Loan surface in the past was looking steady while Culley was happy to chance his arm at the other end. With the score on 96, Drummo made the breakthrough trapping Culley lbw.

Young Calum Everett soon got in on the act with his first top team wicket and the Glen’s reply began to run out of steam when Omar pitched in with three quick wickets including Greaves for a hard-earned 81. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 222 in the final over to give Carlton another 10 points and keep them at the top of the table.

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Overnight rain and a damp ground led to a slightly delayed start and Forfarshire skipper Wallace needed no invitation in asking Carlton, who were without Watts, McCann, Southwell and Olivier, to bat.

With the sides playing through early rain, Kyle was bowled by Forfs coach Beghin and Arun followed soon after, being bowled by Matty Parker. Ali Shah and Ruari Macpherson followed and a crucial blow was struck with the score on 102 when skipper Gilly became the 5th batsman to be bowled.

Drummo decided attack was the best form of defence while Ali employed the slog sweep to good effect at the other end before he was undone – bowled again – by ex-Carlton spinner Umair Mohammed for 22 with the score on 131. Drummo mustered another 29 runs with the tail before he was last man out, caught in the deep for 46 as Carlton were dismissed with more than 5 overs unused.

Although Parker was run out early on thanks to good work by Mo, Carlton had to toil for any further rewards, eventually needing another run out to account for the home skipper with the score on 102. Any hopes of an easy win for the Broughty Ferry support were dashed as Carlton fought all the way. Arun had Johnson lbw almost immediately, before Umair, who was looking dangerous on 20, was caught behind off Ali. Cheeky (below) then made the crucial breakthrough, having Beghin caught and bowled on 59 and the score at 149 for 5 – 32 needed.

Carlton did all they could, with some close calls and strong appeals. Ali had Christian adjudged lbw and Calum Everett dismissed Rennie in similar fashion. Young Scott Cameron held firm however and Forfarshire got home with 3 wickets to spare in the 46th over. Enough for 2 bonus points for Carlton, which may prove crucial later in the season – you never know.

Match sponsored in memory of our long-time supporter & friend: the late Frank Millar

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Carlton welcomed back Watts, McCann, Southwell, Olivier, Boyd and Ahmad as they fielded their most experienced side of the season so far. Falkland, who arrived with 10 men, reckoned there was something in the pitch they could exploit early on and asked the home side to bat.

Scotland seamer Safyaan Sharif was quickly into his stride with a cracking yorker that did for Arun, but a classy partnership between Watts and McCann, who picked the gaps (10 men remember) and ran well between the wickets, soon had the score rattling along, passing 50 in the 8th over. The introduction of spin and the arrival of the 11th man put the brakes on and Rory, losing patience, tried to get things moving again only to sky one and depart for 29. Runs continued to be hard to come by and when the skipper holed out to mid on for 8, his side were 117 for 3 in the 29th over. Watts continued to keep things moving though and planted a big six over the road.

He tried to repeat the shot twice in the next over with differing results. First, he failed to connect spectacularly with a wild pull off Ditchmen then tried again next ball, only to find the safe hands of Sharif who took a good catch running down the hill. “The rest of the guys can smash it better than me” was his analysis.

Drummo pounded a few before his hamstring went again taking a second run and he was bowled next ball. Hugo then followed immediately afterwards for a fine 51. Any thoughts of another lower order collapse were soon to prove unfounded as Mario and Ail hit the ball to all (unusual) parts of the ground as they put on an unbeaten 50 partnership for the 7th wicket as Carlton ended on 261 for 6.

Nicely warmed up, Ali (below) was soon into his stride, finding himself on a hat trick twice as Falkland slid to 29 for 4. The spinners then kept the lid on the Falkland fightback, led by the big hitting Sharif, as regular wickets left the visitors 129 for 8. The highlight of this spell was a running, diving, tumbling catch on the hill from the self-styled ‘Cat’ off Arun. The club captain accepted the plaudits of his team-mates modestly milked the occasion like a high-maintenance Hollywood star taking a curtain call.

Sharif, who had hit a number of very big shots, was then undone by Omar for an entertaining 92 with the score on 143. Fife coach Boyd then proved himself to be a decent batsman and an enthusiastic  conversationalist as he saw off the second spells of the Carlton openers before the return of Cheeky finally put an end to proceedings as Carlton won by 81 runs.

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Alan Kemp

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Another cracking summer’s day at Grange Loan with visiting skipper Ewan Chalmers winning the toss and deciding to bat.

With paceman Ali off on a relaxing spa day with his mates to prepare him mentally and physically for the following day’s Scottish Cup tie, Cheeky was entrusted with the responsibilities of opening the bowling. After some serious mental preparation to ensure he was ready to make an impact from ball one, Cheeky started with a chest high full toss which the bemused Learmonth was too surprised to slap out of the ground.

Thereafter Cheeky and Mario bowled tightly, although it was left to first change Arun to make the breakthrough when he had Learmonth lbw, soon following it by holding on to a mighty smite from O’Connell (below) off his own bowling.

Fraser-Harris soon followed, picking out McCann in the covers off the bowling of the metronomic Mo Ahmed but skipper Chalmers was looking in ominous touch at the other end. With the score on 59, the major breakthrough came when Calum Everett, who was bowling immaculate line and length as always, caught the Watsonians’ man in two minds, causing him to chop on.

This was only the start for the teenager, as he broke the partnership between the Conradie brothers by pinning Schalk lbw before repeating the feat next ball with the younger Chalmers brother. Hugo then hit one stump to run out Rae and Henk Conradie, who had decided to counter attack, was lbw to Cheeky attempting to shovel one round the corner. And when Calum yorked McKay with a beauty (below) the visitors were in deep at 97 for 9.

However, Fraser Sands played a typical attacking innings, well supported by Ally Sadler, and the pair vindicated the groundstaff by putting on a very effective 50 partnership before Mario induced the first poor shot of Sands’ innings of 36 to entice him to hole out to Mo to end the innings on 153 in the 38th over.

Once again Fraggle came out aggressively and, with excellent support from Arun, was punishing on the Sonians’ seamers, the highlight being two pulled sixes off New Zealand left armer McKay. Having raced to 48, Watts was determined that the introduction of spin wasn’t going to halt him as, eyes and neck veins bulging, he charged down the wicket to O’Connell only to find that he and the ball were in different postcodes. A simple stumping to Conradie the keeper.

The scorecard shows that Arun soon departed for 41 in identical fashion, although in truth he was out by just a couple of inches compared to the 20 yards of Watts.

At 100 for 2 and with the coolest cricketer in the UK, Rory McCann, at the crease, there was no cause for panic. Gilly, Hugo and RuMac then fell to Conradie the spinner for 0, 0 and 4 respectively and the first gentle flutter of worry spread through the crowd.

With the spinners bowled out, Watsonians brought back McKay down the hill. Still, McCann looked cool and Mario was determined to take the aggressive approach to chasing down the runs. Mario then creamed a cover drive off McKay … straight to the fielder.

However, a single for Rory turned into a welcome 5 as the throw crashed off the stumps and ran to the boundary. With 3 needed, Boydy decided to smash a short wide one only to edge it to the slips who held a ricochet catch.

There was still not a bead of sweat on the McCann forehead though and he calmly stroked the winning runs to see Carlton home with 3 wickets and plenty of overs to spare.

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Carlton’s perennial quest for the holy grail of the Scottish Cup reached the second round of the competition’s 50th year as they traveled north to a sun-drenched Falkland to take on the home side.

The match couldn’t have had a better start as Mario found the edge of Scottish international Safyaan Sharif’s bat in the first over and the danger man departed for just 2, well held by Arun at slip. The quiet and shy South African then repeated the trick in his next over, having Ferguson caught behind with a well-directed bouncer to leave the home side in trouble at 6 for 2.

Any hopes of running through the Falkland batting, as had happened on Carlton’s last trip to Scroggie Park, were dispelled by a solid 3rd wicket partnership which was finally broken with the score on 59. Ruhade ran one past the slips down to the vacant third-man area and tried to come back for a second. However, he didn’t count on the whippet-like Ali Evans who chased the ball down at the speed of light and rocketed the ball back into the keeper’s gloves who had the simple job of whipping the bails off to run Ruhade out well short of his ground.

With drinks taken at 75 for 3, Carlton felt they had things under reasonable control and a series of breakthroughs shortly afterwards cemented their strong position. First, Arun deceived Doig with a beautifully flighted delivery to have him stumped for a battling 39, before RuMac took 2 in 2 – first having Meikle stumped by Boydy then dismissing home skipper Ditchmen with a straightforward caught and bowled.

Falkland kept fighting though and Ben Strachan batted well, taking the score to 164 for 6 before holing out to Mario off Omar for 42. Mario and Ali then came back to polish things off – Mario having Waterston hit one to Arun before numbers 10 and 11 fell to Ali in quick succession to see Falkland all out for 177 with 13 balls unused.

Immediately after tea Carlton suffered an early setback when Arun was caught behind in Ditchmen’s first over. However, this brought Fraggle to the wicket and he continued in the positive form that has defined his season so far, bringing up his 50, and the Carlton 100, in the 29th over. At the other end, Kyle was playing an excellent supporting role.

Although Kyle fell to Sharif shortly afterwards for 47, Fraggle once again found the perfect foil in Rory and together they took the score to within 18 of the Falkland total before the Irish international was caught and bowled for 24. A few more lusty blows from Watts and the match was won with 18 overs to spare. Watts 85* and a Carlton win by 7 wickets.

Still early days, but if even Hibs can win the Scottish Cup perhaps there’s a chance for Carlton?

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A damp Saturday with a lot of hanging around – and no little debate about if/when the match would start – eventually saw Carlton take to the field in mid-afternoon for a 29 over a side encounter.

Brendan Ford started aggressively and made the most of an early life to get his side off to a flyer but there was a breakthrough in the 9th over when the introduction of Omar brought immediate success as Ross McLean was caught by Hugo Southwell in the covers.

Any hopes of a recovery were hit as Hugo had to head off to casualty with a badly cut thumb and Ford made the most of the extra gap in the field to race to 45 before he was finally bowled by Cheeky with the score on 75 in the 15th over. Skipper Petrie then joined Greig Peal and the pair continued to bat aggressively, putting on 50 in short time in a partnership that was ended when Mario caught Peal off the bowling of Arun with 5 overs to go.

Petrie was eventually run out by Gilly and Arun picked up a second wicket, but Carlton found themselves chasing a hefty 171.

Ali sweet-talked his skipper into promoting him to open but the experiment ended in the 4th over when he was run out on 10. With scoreboard pressure from the outset wickets began to tumble and Kyle, Arun and Fraggle departed while in the teens before the skipper was lbw in the 16th over to leave the score on 87 for 5.

All hopes seemed to rely on Drummo but he and Mario were both out for 22. Hugo returned from hospital drugged up and feeling no pain but was stumped as Carlton slipped to their second defeat of the season, losing by 37 runs.

To make matters worse Carlton were docked a point for a slow over rate in the wet conditions and so headed back home a point worse off than when they’d left Edinburgh many hours earlier.

RAINED OFF

ABANDONED

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Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Alastair Ritchie

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Cheeky reports ...

I would like to apologise to the Editor for a delayed match report. Very uncharacteristic of me to be late!

Carlton found themselves batting first on a wicket that was doing a bit. 5 wickets down and the score was on 68... Frag, Dj Keeman, Hugo and Gilmour were gone for not many. Arun and McCannn had a wee mix up and Arun was walking back to the pavilion after getting a good start.

In comes Roof number 1, Mario. Many were left confused to why he was batting at 7 after getting beaten for pace by the Glenrothes pro. However, he silenced all of his critics (Omar and me) with a well composed 57 while McCann was his usual self hitting 47 of his 53 runs through mid on.

After the breathtaking innings from Chayank Gosain during the week, many felt that maybe it was time for him to be promoted up the order. Sometimes it's just not meant to be though. "Booing" could be heard around the ground as roof number 2 (Omar) came into bat ahead of him at 10. Max D'ullise could be heard shouting "Justice for Gosain". But once again he proved how classy a player he is by hitting a clinical not out.

Teas were excellent. Still feel we can improve by having a sponsored lunch every week. Disappointing to hear my words fell deaf to many ears.

Flannigan and Farrar opened the batting for the visitors. Giraffe (Ali) came gliding down the hill with the gale force behind him while Roof 1 really was trying his best running into the wind up the hill. Evo picked up the key wicket of Mommsen while Mario accounted for Farrar and Brock.

Flanners was run out by Hugo as he attempted a quick single. He could not have made things anymore difficult for McCann with a throw which almost bounced 6 times from cover. Silly Hugo.

Baum played some counter attacking shots against Mo and roof 2 until he skied one in the air to the safest hands in the team. Thereafter, the tail was wrapped up in no time and Carlton had demolished their rivals for the 2nd time in the league! Great day for the club!

NO PLAY - GROUND UNPLAYABLE

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Arbroath arrived at Grange Loan with a healthy travelling support looking to reach their second consecutive Scottish Cup Final.

Electing to bat first, the visitors’ opener Brendan Ford played a typically belligerent innings, looking to keep the scoreboard ticking while partner Ross McLean remained steady at the other end. Ford had seen off the opening bowlers, taking the score to 45 for 0 after 10 overs, when teenager Calum Everett made the breakthrough, courtesy of a fine slip catch by Arun Pillai. Next ball, the dangerous Fraser Burnett was sent packing by Calum, clean bowled.

Mario Olivier, who changed ends to bowl downhill, then had Elton Willemse caught behind with the score on 63. Ford was still going strongly though, surviving once difficult chance in the swirling wind, and had raced past 50 before succumbing to the accuracy of young Everett, caught at short midwicket by Arun. Young Waller then played aggressively, hitting 46 before being undone lbw by Cheeky with the score on 131.

With no further addition to the score Carlton took a big wicket when visiting skipper Petrie picked out Kyle Macpherson in the covers off the bowling of Arun. However, this brought Calvin Burnett to the crease and the Arbroath no. 8 played the pivotal innings of the match, displaying excellent shot selection on his way to an unbeaten 63 as his side posted 233 for 8, despite a further wicket apiece for Mario and Ali Evans.

Skipper Gilmour was upbeat about the run chase and Carlton started strongly, shrugging off the early loss of Kyle, who was run out after a mix up with Arun. Arun, however, played fluently and with the support of Fraser Watts had taken the score to 70 before the introduction of spin saw him fall caught and bowled to Craig Ramsay. Fellow spinner McLean then made the next breakthrough almost immediately, having Ruari Macpherson edge an attempted cut to keeper Petrie.

Carlton recovered well as skipper Gilmour joined Watts, with the view from the hill that the fortunes of a Carlton batting lineup minus the services of McCann, Southwell and Drummond rested on this pair. The experienced duo brought up the 50 partnership in the first over after drinks before Gilly was too early on an attempted sweep off the left arm spin of Cameron and was adjudged lbw.

Fraggle received solid support from Mario Olivier though and looked full of determination to finally make this Carlton’s year in the cup as he brought up his 50 and reduced the target to double figures.

However, with 95 needed from 19 overs the crucial point of the match arrived, giving support to those who believe in Carlton’s 50 year ‘Scottish Cup hoodoo’. Willemse bowled a full ball to Mario who drove it firmly back towards the bowler. Willemse reached down in his follow through and managed to deflect the drive onto the stumps with Fraggle stranded just out of his crease.

If anyone thought the match was over at 139 for 5, opening bowlers Evans and Olivier made them think again with a magnificent partnership of 80, which was a mix of sensible placement and aggressive hitting. However, with just 17 runs needed off 3 overs, Mario tried to loft McLean straight but sliced the ball towards long off where Fraser Burnett took a superb catch running in. Mo Ahmed hit the ball cleanly but the home side found themselves going into the last over needing 10 runs with 4 wickets in hand.

McLean bowled the first ball straight and full. Ali tried to repeat his previously successful tactic of reverse sweeping but failed to get the contact he dearly wanted, being given out lbw. Tom Simpson departed bowled next ball, trying to find a shot that would deliver a much needed boundary. Cheeky realised he need to get Mo on strike but was just short in his attempt to complete the run. Mo then tried to hit McLean to keep Carlton’s hopes alive but skied the ball to Cameron to seal Arbroath’s 9 run win.

A gut-wrenching defeat but yet another fine win by a well-supported Arbroath side who never know when they’re beaten.

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Angus Mair

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A Carlton side, determined to bounce back from their cup semi-final disappointment welcomed back Rory McCann for the league visit of Forfarshire.

Skipper Gilmour won the toss and invited the visitors to bat, encouraging a healthy crowd into Grange Loan from the outset to see the much anticipated battle between Scotland team-mates Ali Evans and Craig Wallace. Even Scotland assistant coach Toby Bailey made it up the hill in time for the noon start.

The spectators weren’t to be disappointed, with both players clearly relishing the battle. Forfarshire opener Wallace, as usual, came down the pitch looking to play extravagantly from the outset, while Evo looked fired up, reaching the upper measures on the Grange Loan speed-gun.

While Wallace managed to avoid being dismissed by his Scotland colleague, his batting partners weren’t so lucky. First Matty Parker edged a fine Evans delivery to slip, where Arun Pillai took another sharp catch, then Graeme Beghin was bowled by an absolute beauty from the country’s favourite redhead, to leave Forfarshire on 26 for 2.

Wallace and youngster Rory Johnston then put together a very solid partnership in the face of tight bowling from the Grange Loan seamers. Mario Olivier had Johnston playing and missing a few times and attempted to induce mental disintegration in the batsman by offering a stream of unique – and loud – batting advice. The Forfarshire youngster had more sense than to listen and was completely unmoved, though the episode provoked much mirth amongst the spectators and a few noise complaints from the neighbours, before a peaceful calm once again descended upon the ground.

With Wallace approaching his half-century Chayank Gosain was introduced into the attack and he made the big breakthrough almost immediately, beating the bat of Wallace and hitting the stumps to send the danger-man back to the pavilion for 46 with the score on 94.

Cheeky then continued to have a big say in the outcome of this match with two caught and bowleds – first running back to take a fine catch as Johnston skied one on 36, then wiping the bright, white smile off the face of local dentist and ex-Carlton man Umair Mohammed by catching a stinging drive. Forfarshire 134 for 5 and Mario was asking why Cheeky’s catching record off his own bowling is so much better than it is off the big South African’s.

Cheeky was soon back in the action, inducing Carmichael to sky one to Arun, who did well to keep his eye on the ball in the face of an incoming fielder, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 33 from his 13 overs.

This left the home crowd with a conundrum. With Cheeky bowled out, who was going to do his usual job of hoovering up the tail? Step forward off-spinner Arun Pillai.

First Scott Cameron attempted to hit a cover drive past the imposing figure of Gordon Drummond and failed, finding the safe hands of the gymnast who was proudly wearing his favourite retro cricket jumper. Next Robertson was caught by Mario before Andrew Wallace tried to bypass Drummo by hitting the ball over him only to sky a catch that the soon-to-be ex-bachelor didn’t have to move for. 178 for 9 and 3 wickets for Arun.

Hogarth was then bowled by Arun to complete a hoovering exercise so efficient that he returned even better figures than Cheeky (4 for 31). As the team walked off, the left-armer strong-armed his way in front of Arun in an undignified attempt to milk the applause from the pavilion.

For the second match in a row, Arun got the Carlton reply off to a positive start, taking the game to the bowlers, and he and Kyle Macpherson (below) had moved the score to 37 in the 5th over when he edged a Cameron delivery, which was well held at full stretch above his head by Parker.

Parker was soon back in the action, having taken over from the injured Cameron from the pavilion end, finding the inside edge of Watts’ bat and then watching as the ball spun backwards off the pitch and tickled the stumps. Carlton 57 for 2.

Kyle was looking good, keen to keep the strike rotating and hitting a fine pull for 4, before he was perhaps unfortunate to be out caught with the score on 74. Early on a pull, the ball looped slowly to Johnston at slip and the umpire raised his finger. Another wicket at this point might have had the home side in trouble but the experienced duo of McCann and Gilmour never looked in any bother until, with the score on 133, McCann sent his skipper back when he was on the look for a risky single and the coach was run out.

McCann moved to another classy 50 for Carlton (below), while Drummo got in a bit of batting practice at the other end. Umair eventually extracted the Irishman for a fine 68 with just 6 needed, with a nicely flighted ball, but Drummo soon bashed a boundary to end proceedings with 11 overs to spare.

Carlton stay in second place, just one win behind Watsonians with five games to play.

Carlton won by 154 runs (D/L)

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BRILLIANT WATTS' RUN OUT WINS TIGHT GAME FOR CARLTON
and in other news Pillai scores maiden CCC hundred and takes four for!

Falkland were 8 down and 150 behind but cruising toward a certain victory when a moment of brilliance from Watts changed the game....the ball was squeezed down to 3rd man through first slip where Gordo Drummond had been standing before captain Stevie 'Mike Brearley' Gilmour decided to move him to leg slip. Had Drummond been at first slip, Pilai might have taken 5 for and a hundred...... Nice one skip.

Anyway, a foot race ensued between Drummond and Watts who had been standing at point. Despite Drummond's 15 yard head start he was quickly reeled in and overtaken by the flying Watts.......

Watts then picked the ball up, pivoted and threw the stumps down all in one movement to remove Falkland's skipper and take the wind out of the Falkers' sails and turn the tide back in the favour of Carlton who took heart from the moment of genius, picked themselves up off the canvas and galloped to victory.

Earlier, Brearley had won the toss for the first time this season and elected to bat.

Arun and Kyle got us off to a good start, with Arun especially playing some super straight drives and was generally the aggressor. It was a busy partnership that yielded 70 odd, their first 50 partnership of the season... A promising partnership in the making....

Kyle perished to a ball that might have kept a touch low but the middle order chipped in and gave support to Pillai who was batting beautifully. Arun passed his first 100 in Scotland and his first since moving across the city in the close season. He has been a great addition to the club and has been threatening to go big, especially in the past couple of weeks when he seems to have settled into the club fully and has been batting with real fluency and aggression.

He reached his hundred with a towering six over long on and his hundred was just desserts for all the hard work he has put in since arriving at the club.

We managed to post 240 that was bumped up to 249 via Duckworth Lewis following an earlier rain break.

Mario and Omar bowled with accuracy and restricted Falkers up front before Cameron Shoehorn came on, shoehorned one through Sharif's defences and rapped the pad to claim the key scalp. Shoestring then strung some good overs together and claimed a further couple of scalps in a fiery opening spell.

Arun then came on and bowled tightly in partnership with Cheeky who again bowled well and with consistency. Arun picked up 4 to round off what was a memorable day for him.

Of course though, the highlight off the day was the foot race and the run out that sealed the victory!!

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The say preparation is key to the biggest of matches. Skipper/coach Stevie Gilmour had selected his team carefully for the top of the table clash with Watsonians, taking into account the unavailability of middle order pair McCann and Southwell and the side injury that was sidelining Ali Evans. Leaving instructions to his senior players to organise a light warmup – perhaps a light jog and some stretching – Gilly nipped back into the changing room to check on the whereabouts of a missing player (identity secret). When he came back out he found a full contact game of rugby taking place and middle order batter RuMac lying on the ground with a swollen ankle.

Evans was hastily restored to the side – as a specialist batsman – and the toss taken. Carlton won and would bat. Facing the vastly experienced McKay and the rapidly improving Saddler, openers Kyle and Arun had to fight hard to survive the first ten overs with both bowlers finding plenty of movement. 17 for 0 off 10 wasn’t the fastest start of the season but all wickets were intact and McKay’s first spell had been seen off.

Tall seamer Alec Sim was first change and his first ball was a short, wide loosener which Kyle smashed to point only to see Henk Conradie stretch above his head and pluck the ball out of the air. If ever Carlton needed a big innings from Watts it was today but the number three turned a ball from Sim in the air (below) to midwicket where the catch was taken by Andrew Chalmers. 24 for 2.

11 runs later Arun was next to go, giving Sim his third wicket as he edged behind to the keeper for 16. Soon it was 36 for 4 as the skipper walked after edging behind off ex-Carlton man Olly Brown. Evans and Drummond then looked to consolidate, which prompted Watsonian skipper Ewan Chalmers to bring back McKay, and the New Zealand left-armer obliged, bowling both batsmen in quick succession to leave Carlton in big trouble on 57 for 6.

At this point, with McKay having two overs of his quota to go, the home captain decided to turn to spin from both ends, perhaps encouraged by how poorly Carlton had played O’Connell and Conradie earlier in the season at Grange Loan. However, the move seemed to take the pressure off the batsmen and Mario and Cameron Shoebridge looked comfortable until Mario freewheeled coming back for a third and was run out by the relay throw from the keeper.

71 for 7 and with Boydy striding to the crease on a season’s average of 0.000003 a three figure total seemed a long way away. However, fortunately for Carlton’s title hopes, their keeper had his brain switched to the ‘on’ position and he played sensibly, picking the gaps well and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. First he put on 35 with Shoey, with the latter using his reach and long stride to good effect before he decided to go for a big shot and charged O’Connell only to be stumped. A very valuable 18 from the youngster though and at least the total was now in three figures.

Cheeky was next, and he used the opportunity to remind everyone that he can actually bat. He was well supported by Boydy (below) who swept the spinners well in traditional Carlton keeper style and used the reverse sweep sparingly but to good effect. The pair’s resistance brought about the return of McKay but his final two overs brought no reward. Cheeky eventually became Sim’s fourth victim but the ‘all-rounder’ had contributed a vital 22. Carlton 142 for 9.

Perhaps inspired by Cheeky, young Calum Everett then played his best Carlton innings, hitting the gaps and scampering singles to contribute 12 as he saw Carlton to 49 overs. Boydy then went for boundaries in the final over, before holing out to Henk Conradie in the deep off Saddler for a priceless 36.

162 the total then and one that Mario Olivier was confident in defending even without the bowling support of his injured strike partner. As he said to your reporter at tea: “I feel good, yah. Rrrrrrreally good. Do you have a light?”

And do you know, he wasn’t wrong. Despite starting with a no ball his first over brought immediate reward, when Learmonth sliced one to Kyle at point. First ball of his next over (below) saw his second wicket as O’Connell went for 0, edging behind to Boydy. And the Saffer wasn’t finished, following this up with the prize wicket of the home skipper with an unplayable delivery. 15 for 3 and the game was very much on.

At this point a couple of rain interruptions threatened to stall the Carlton charge. After the second, heavier, rain intervention the outfield was wet, which made life a little more difficult. However, Mario wasn’t deterred and soon had his fourth as the counter-attacking Fraser-Harris was caught behind.

With Mario taking a well-earned rest, and the Conradies threatening to counter-attack, the skipper turned to the formidable frame of Drummo. Not long back from injury and without a bowl for weeks, would the big man still have what it takes to deliver in a pressure situation? Not that anyone at Carlton would ever have doubted him but the answer came with his very first delivery (below) as Henk Conradie was pinned lbw.

Calum then picked up the wicket of Schalk Conradie for the second time this season, his yorker (below) too good for the Sonians’ keeper. 55 for 6 and Carlton tails were up.

Then followed a tense of passage of play when Andrew Chalmers, well supported by young Olly Brown, mixed careful defence with selective attack to put on a crucial 40. However, Drummo eventually tempted Olly into a mistimed drive - Gilly making great ground to put in a diving catch. Two balls later, McKay was bowled for a duck and Watsonians were still 58 runs short on 95 for 8. Drummo’s figures: 10 overs, 3 maidens, 3 for 14.

However, with both Drummo and Mario (10 overs, 3 maidens, 4 for 33), bowled out and with Chalmers looking very solid the game was still in the balance. It was left to teenager Shoebridge to seal the vital win. First he had Sim edge behind to Boydy, then he ended Chalmers’ fine innings on 44 by bowling him (below) with a great fuller ball to seal a big, big win.

A fighting win by a Carlton side that refused to give up. They sit top of the league with three weeks to go with Arbroath visiting Grange Loan next week.

Carlton are grateful for the generous support of our match sponsor: Archie Gray

Scorecard

Photos

SELFLESS WATTS SACRIFICES HUNDRED FOR SOUTHWELL

In what is being described as one of the greatest displays of teammatemanship, Fraser Watts sacrificed a certain hundred in order to make teammate Hugo Southwell feel better. Southwell had just been dismissed for 98, his second score of 90 odd this summer, and was inconsolable and sobbing in the changing room. Watts noted his teammate's pain and instead of smoking one out of the ground to bring up his hundred and rub salt into the Southwell wound, he did the right thing and popped up an easy catch to mid wicket to ensure 3 figures were not forthcoming.

Southwell added, 'I'm pleased Fraggle did that as, had he made a ton when I only got 98, I would have been pure gutted likes. Frag's sacrifice means a lot to me, he is such a great bloke'.

Earlier the world's most boring skipper Stevie 'keep it remotely interesting' Gilmour had given a rousing team talk sending half of the team to sleep but it seemed to do the trick as the Oldies won the warm up touch rugger by 4 to zero. The return of Southwell and Evans strengthened the oldies in that it meant Boyd was shifted back into the youngies which was decisive. Pilai continued his sparkly form by scoring a try and setting up another.

Gilmour won the toss and elected to bat first on a deck with a touch of green in it.

Emu and Pilai started busily until Pilai nicked one behind. Watts and 'mu rebuilt for a while before 'mu got a leading edge back to the bowler 40-2. Gilmour then came and went to leave Carlton 40 for 3.

Southwell (below), back from his 16th holiday of the year - only eclipsed on the holiday front by Omar 'I spend most of the time on holiday dressed like a Next catalogue model, just check my Facebook page' Ahmed - came in and set about the rebuilding process. Watts blocked it at one end whilst Southwell whalloped it at the other, getting off the mark with a huge six over long off. Southwell hit 5 or so sixers, all beautifully well judged in that they went for six but stayed in the ground meaning there was no pointless delay as someone had to go find the ball in a garden somewhere. Watts and Southwell, both known for their huge guns and chiselled physique, built a good partnership of 2 hundred which means they will get their photo up on the wall - tidy! Life ambition fulfilled.

Once the 200 mark was reached, both batsmen departed for tea as no other major landmarks could be found to aim for.

In the second half, Arbroath declared their intent with a good solid start before a brilliant run out from Olivier set the ball rolling. The ball was nudged through the covers where ( God knows why) Mario was standing. He turned round and toddled / waddled after the ball turning a certain single into a 3. The batsman noting Mario's lack of speed thought a three would be simple, only to be run out by a bullet throw from the boundary that the hobbit wicky took (behind the stumps - good boy) and exacted the run out. Mario was overjoyed and charged in from the boundary shouting 'yiiirrrr you don't take on my orm or you will pay da price, yirrr yirrrr yirrr'.

Evo bowled a fiery opening spell but wasn't allowed to bowl much because he has a more important game to play today - ODI shmodei!

He was replaced by the Next Catalogue Model who bowled a decent spell in tandem with Cheeky at the other end. Cheeky, who insists on bowling with his shirt untucked because it is cool apparently, bowled some decent stuff mixed in with some rubbish but took wickets to stem the flow of the Arbroath attack. He took another caught and bowled, which was amazing. The transformation from last year when he used to duck out of the way is plain for all to see.

There was some sloppy fielding and generally Carlton were a bit ragged before big Toby Drummond (below) came on and took charge. He took the ball and barked orders to all and sundry sending fielders scuttling to all parts of the ground in fear. 'Gie me the baw, you stand there, you stand there, shut it you, I'm going to bowl it there and you just field it ok'. Big Toby always brings control to proceedings!!

Toby took 3 for in a super spell of controlled bowling with lots of dots and stump to stump bowling.

Mario came back and finished off the tail with a slooooow yorker (below) and we won. A good win, well played us. Hurrraaaaahhhhhhh!

OFF - WATERLOGGED GROUND

Photos

Match sponsored in memory of Mike Dean

Scorecard

Photos (1st innings)

Photos (2nd innings)

The sun shone on Grange Loan for the last game of the league season as visitors Stoneywood-Dyce – without a league win in 2016 – arrived, seemingly in good spirits and intent on enjoying their away day.

Perhaps seduced by a tinge of green on the wicket, the visitors invited Carlton to bat after winning the toss and were soon pleasantly surprised when a ‘warm up’ appeal for lbw against Watts was answered in the affirmative by the umpire. Fraggle dutifully trudged off to the pavilion in the manner of a hormonal teenager sent to his room while he knew his mates were heading off to a big party in town. He soon had company in the gloom of the home dressing room as Arun edged one to the visiting skipper at slip. Carlton were suddenly 14 for 2 as the formidable figure of Drummond marched to the wicket to join McCann.

After a watchful start by both batsmen, Drummo in particular began to move through the gears, bashing the ball to all corners of the ground while running hard. In no time he’d passed 50 and was perspiring like a racehorse in a sauna. McCann, meanwhile, remained cool, calm and McCann-like in support.

As drinks approached it was clear that a sub-plot was developing on the sidelines. This remember, was the last week of the Carlton Fantasy Cricket League season and leader Eric Edwards paced the boundary anxiously, while second placed John Beattie perused all the stats on his laptop in the pavilion and third-placed Boydy put his feet up in the player’s enclosure and enjoyed the fun.

The reason for Edwards’ anxiety soon became clear – he had no Drummo in his team while the others did. And with the big man coasting to a seemingly inevitable century (below) he knew he was in trouble. Edwards, who had already tried to influence proceedings by trying to get skipper Gilmour to promote ‘his man’ Olivier up the order, knew something had to be done.

Reports vary as to what happened during the drinks interval. Some eye witnesses claim to have seen Edwards in close discussion with McCann and the umpires. Certainly, there seemed to be a renewed spring in the step of the 4th XI’s star batsman as the players returned to the middle.

What happened soon after puzzled spectators at the time. Drummond, majestic on 81 and with the score on 175, was sent back by his partner and adjudged run out by the umpire. There was a stunned silence around the ground as all the spectators (bar one) keenly felt the disappointment of Drummo who had missed out on a ton he richly deserved and which would have been a fitting reward for the great man's efforts.

Almost immediately afterwards McCann, whose concentration may have been affected by the runout, mistimed one to the covers and departed for a fine 75 bringing the skipper to the crease. Unfortunately, he was soon back in the pavilion after setting off for an unlikely run and being firmly sent back by Hugo. 193 for 5 with 16 overs to go.

A solid partnership began to develop between the two imposing figures of Southwell and Olivier as the pair started timing the ball nicely, taking the score to 233 for 5 at the end of the 40th over. What happened next will be the topic of barside chat at Grange Loan for many years to come.

With the visiting bowlers beginning to wilt in the heat Hugo and Mario began to find the boundary regularly. 51 runs were put on in the next 5 overs as Mario passed his 50 and Hugo approached his.

If the Carlton treasurer had been around at this point to run a fundraising sweepstake on how many runs would come off the last 5 overs it’s unlikely anybody would have got close. Mario (below) decided to hog the strike and started to plant ball after ball out of the ground.

The scoreboard raced past 300 while Stoneywood’s senior player, Shaun Coetzer, volunteered to come out of the heat and field in the shade of the big trees. Unfortunately for him, he soon had company as Max D’Ulisse strolled round the boundary towards him eager to start a chat.

“So, how are you going to chase this down then?” asked the diminutive FCC (Future Carlton Captain). Perhaps fortunately, Coetzer’s reply was lost in the rush of air that accompanied another Olivier six whistling 20 yards over his head into West Grange Gardens.

The only lull in the carnage of the last 5 overs came when a suddenly nervous Mario played two dot balls on 99 before piercing the infield for another boundary to bring up one of the most popular tons seen at the old ground.

Happy with his day’s work, Mario allowed Hugo to take strike for the last overs. Having been out in the 90s twice already this season the ex egg chaser wasn’t giving up on his hunt for the elusive century despite being on 69 with only six balls to come. The first three balls of the last over disappeared into the stratosphere as Hugo moved on to 87. A huge heave up the hill brought a one bounce four. 91 not out and two balls to go. Unfortunately, his attempt at a straight six off the next wasn’t timed cleanly enough and he had to be content with a brilliant 94* as Mario finished unbeaten on 105. In all, 104 runs had been smashed off the last 5 overs – a partnership of 195 in 99 balls and a final total of 388 for 5.

As Mario was walking off he was embraced enthusiastically by retiring groundsman Russell Weir in a display of passion rarely witnessed by Mrs W and not seen in public since the 16th of May 1987.

If the visitors were downhearted they didn’t show it and got off to a decent start before that man Mario (who by now had guaranteed Eric first place in Fantasy Cricket) got in on the act again with a caught and bowled (below) to see off Davidson with the score on 47.

The second wicket partnership of Coetzer and Stepien looked solid though and had taken the score to 95 before Cheeky had them both dismissed in the space of four balls – first Stepien was the victim of a sharp stumping and then the bowler and keeper combined again to have Coetzer caught behind (below).

Cheeky has been accused in these pages before of ‘burgarly’ or ’hoovering’ but he fully deserved his final haul of 6 for 30 from 12 overs. Things were rounded off by Hugo, bowling his first overs since May, who after couple of looseners, soon found his radar to end with 2 for 8 off 10 balls.

This was the last match for the dream ground team of McLeod and Weir before Russell heads off to a sunny retirement. What better way to go out than with a deck that produced an incredible score of 388 and a total of over 550 runs in just over 93 overs? Good luck Russ!

Scorecard

Photos

Photos from David Potter at Cricket Europe

Saturday dawned with as many eyes on the gloomy weather forecast as on the Grange Loan ground that had been chosen many months ago as the location for this year’s CSL national championship final.

Ignoring any thoughts of being distracted by the prospect of mid-afternoon rain, Carlton skipper Gilmour won the toss and had no hesitation in deciding to bat. Openers Pillai and Watts got things off to a steady start, bolstered by a generous sprinkling of extras, putting on a half century stand to steady the nerves of the home supporters. When Arun was the first man to go, attempting to cut Richie Berrington and edging to the keeper in the 12th over, the score was on 61 and Carlton had a strong foothold in the game.

The experienced duo of Watts and McCann kept the scoreboard ticking and Carlton were well placed at drinks on 120 for 1. Encouraged by the clearing skies, the crowd was growing steadily and there was general surprise when drinks came and went with neither of Clydesdale’s front-line spinners, Majid Haq and Con de Lange, having turned their arm over.

Eventually skipper Majid came on to bowl in the 30th over but by that time Carlton had created a formidable base for themselves on 144 for 1. de Lange was also into the attack and he made the much needed breakthrough in his second over when he tempted Watts into a leading edge to be caught for 73. A great opener’s knock and an invaluable contribution from the club captain in such a big game.

The spin duo did put something of a break on the scoring but when Majid rang the changes with 7 overs to go Hugo Southwell began to find the boundary with some of his trademark heavy hitting. Rory was next to go, stumped off Zeeshan Bashir, but his 65 had cemented the innings and given Hugo the platform he needed to launch his late assault on the tiring Clydesdale attack. One free hit was launched into the stratosphere (the batsmen had completed two runs by the time the ball came to earth) then he launched a huge six up the hill to the longest corner of the ground.

Drummo, playing his last innings, provided typically positive support, before he became the first of three last over wickets for Zeeshan, departing to a standing ovation for 8. Hugo (below) finally holed out for a magnificent and entertaining 85 off 54 balls before Mario was bowled off the final ball. 288 for 6 in the end, but with Richie Berrington in the opposition ranks, not to mention the in-form de Lange and skipper Majid, there were no thoughts of an easy win.

After having the heavy roller deployed during the tea interval, Awais and Huyser came out to bat with Evans opening down the hill. After a lengthy delay in the first over while Huyser changed his pads it was clear that Evo was generating more than a fair amount of pace as the ball regularly smacked into the keeper’s gloves with a resounding thud. The breakthrough came in his second over when Awais, trying to get the scoreboard moving, attempted to cut a fast short delivery but the ball flew all the way to Watts at third man who took a good catch.

Mario was causing the batsmen problems of his own from the Lover’s Loan end but it was Ali who picked up the second wicket in his next over, catching the edge of Huyser’s bat to be taken by Boyd. This brought Berrington to the wicket and it was very much a case of ‘game on’. Ali bowled a series of blistering deliveries to him, which the Scotland man couldn’t get his bat on, but after 10 overs he’d moved into double figures.

At this point Evo was replaced by Omar Ahmad from the pavilion end. Omar has a reputation for taking big wickets but came into this match following figures of 5/0/40/0 against Stoneywood-Dyce. However, as one ex England hero is fond of quoting on Sky TV, “form is temporary, class is permanent’. First Omar bowled a pearler which caught the edge of Berrington’s bat and flew to second slip where Drummond made no mistake. The roar from the home crowd was repeated next ball (below) when Omar bowled another beauty – this time to de Lange – and again the big lad Drummond clung on to the edge. Two Scotland batsmen in two balls and Clydesdale looked gone already at 29 for 4 after 11 overs.

At this point a different type of game began to play out. Players and spectators could see a wall of thick, dark cloud approaching the ground. Although Clydesdale were miles behind on Duckworth Lewis, 20 overs need to be played in the second innings to constitute a game. If proceedings were to be washed out before then we’d have had to start again from scratch the following day.

If the ICC are serious about tackling the problem of slow over rates in cricket they should have been at Grange Loan just after 5pm as the entire Carlton team sprinted between overs to keep the game moving as fast as possible. As one spectator suggested, all that was missing from the scene was the Benny Hill theme tune. Happily the approach proved successful and as the final ball of the 20th over was bowled a raucous cheer rang round the ground.

With the cloud circling round the ground rather than dumping rain over it, the game meandered thereafter through a strange phase. The Clydesdale number 3, Scotland U15 skipper Angus Guy, showed an impressive technique and looked relatively untroubled, however neither he nor his captain could rotate the strike regularly in the face of accurate bowling and tight fielding. After 30 overs, with the score in the 70s, Omar was brought back into the attack and he completed his hat trick of big name wickets immediately, trapping Majid lbw for 25 off 63 balls.

Zeeshan Bashir was next man in and he looked to play aggressively, hitting 36 at better than run a ball before the re-introduction of Arun Pillai saw him caught by Cheeky. The umpires and the Clydesdale batsmen sportingly agreed to continue playing through the rain as Arun brought the match swiftly to the brink with three wickets in an over: first Scobie was caught by Mario; then Guy, who decided to kick on after moving to a well-deserved 50, was stumped by Boydy; finally Basit Ali was bowled next ball. 150 for 9 and almost there.

Hollywood screenwriters would have had Drummo take the final wicket but we got the next best thing. Drummo bowled, Akram Shakoor hit the ball through midwicket, Gilly dummied it, the batsmen ran, Mario picked up and hit the stumps with the batsman short. The big South African sank to his knees and, in an instant, found his 10 team-mates piling on top of him.

After a few seconds the Carlton players split up and sprinted for the pavilion, leaving a baffled Drummo standing on his own on the outfield like a classic Billy no-mates. Luckily for him there was a good reason for the strange behaviour as the players formed a guard of honour to applaud the legend off the field for the very last time. Not a dry eye in the house.

The rain relented briefly while the presentation took place. Hugo pipped Omar to the man of the match award, before the Carlton players collected their medals and skipper Gilmour was presented with the national trophy by Cricket Scotland President Bruce Dixon.

2016: Carlton, Scottish champions.