The Famous Fives travelled the many miles from Grange Loan to Galashiels for the second game of the season. Well - most of them, anyway, this being continuing stand-in skipper Keith Murray's de facto home match of the season, with Gala a mere skip down the road from Chez Murray. The mysterious whereabouts of Shaun continued to attract idle gossip in the ranks - whispers of preparation for a key role in the upcoming Royal wedding the most plausible reason given for his continued absence.

Casting around for words to describe the Fives' latest venture, "drenched" is probably the most appropriate. Gala's neck of the Borders was drenched in improbable sunshine for the actual game, while the - quaintly uncovered - pitch had been drenched in somewhat more predictable torrential rain the night before. John Beattie's attempt to test the suspect firmness of the surface by pressing with his thumb resulted in a perfect thumb-shaped imprint in the pitch, giving rise to two immediate thoughts: (i) win the toss and have a bowl; and (ii) when batting, watch out for any balls pitched on the resultant dent.

However, skipper Keith had other plans at the toss, securing another top-two finish. This, coupled with the glaring absence of Derek Underwood from the Fives' teamsheet, left a feeling of some unease in the ranks. Gala hesitated whole fractions of a second before inviting the Fives to have a bat. Keith and Ewan Hutchinson strode out to the middle - the usual ritual of taking guard only enhanced by the need to take care not to stand in one spot for too long in case they started to sink.

The Gala bowlers clearly knew their own turf, and immediately pitched it well up with pace off the ball - relying on slow, variable bounce and the pronounced slope to do their work for them. Keith and Ewan both played straight and sensibly, but runs were difficult to come by. The drinks break arrived with the openers clinging on gamely, but only 43 on the board. With a clear need to get on with it from a decent platform, Keith seized the opportunity to hit consecutive boundaries, including only his second ever six off Carlton Women’s Charis, (who also plays for Gala/Hawick) only to be bowled by her with a cleverly flighted delivery in her next over for 37. The Fives were 55 for 1 after 23 overs. John came in at No.3 after a long wait. This, alas, opened the floodgates somewhat and wickets started to clatter down - Ewan caught at midwicket for an important 13 (plus, surely, a bonus point for some golf crossover when taking a lovely 7-iron divot out of the pitch), rapidly followed by Paul Stones (0, another slower ball his undoing); Stuart Dawson (0, making his first ever appearance for Carlton) and Al Murray (2), all bowled by the awkward G Mein (8-3-13-4). Euan Murray clattered a few boundaries before being foxed by the uneven bounce and under-edging one onto his stumps (E Murray 13), and John, who'd played solidly while carnage unfolded at the other end, became the sixth wicket to fall bowled (J Beattie 7) - probably nothing to do with the thumb-dent, though. With overs running out Ivan and Billy rightly looked to play shots, but timing the ball on the doughy surface was no easy task and they were both caught (I Dawson 0, B Bertram 0). Ellie and DC looked to have the start of a decent partnership, until S Paterson (6.5-5-1-3) took a stunning one-handed return catch from DC (D Carter 1), leaving Ellie stranded at the other end (E Hird 1*) and the Fives a meagre 89ao in the 38th over.

Gala were kind enough to provide a fabulous tea - in the unfamiliar surroundings of a lovely clubhouse rather than a wind-scoured scorer's table - the lack of empire biscuits more than made up for by an awesome pie/sausage roll selection and some lovely home baking.

Meantime, the pitch was drying out nicely under the wall-to-wall sunshine and the Gala openers were happy to let it do so for as long as possible before starting their reply. Ivan and Billy opened the bowling and immediately found that the pitch was completely unresponsive to anything even remotely short - but both had the batsmen in trouble with fuller balls, and they each used the slope well to shape the ball past the outside edge on multiple occasions - Ellie working really hard behind the stumps to deal with inconsistent carry. Ivan struck in his third over, a low catch held well by Dawson Snr - ensuring that there wouldn't be another family incident of the magnitude of the Murray Run-Out (I Dawson 4-0-20-1) - and while Billy had no luck his spell was more than tidy and on another day could easily have yielded two or three wickets (B Bertram 4-0-16-0). Keith then turned to spin with Ewan and experience with DC. As in the previous innings, less pace magnified the effects of the slow bounce and there were plenty of plays-and-misses and some mistimed shots in the air - however, it was turning into one of those days in the field where nothing would stick. Hutchie made way (E Hutchinson 3-0-18-0) for a trundle from the properly-spelled Euan, who couldn't find a way through either (E Murray 2-0-6-0), and despite DC's best efforts (D Carter 5-0-20-0) Gala were easily home in the 18th over. Gala Hawick 2 win by 9 wickets.

A second very similar defeat in a row for the Fives, failing to get enough runs on the board while batting first. The pitch was certainly a factor in this match and it was an unfortunate toss to lose - the result could well have been different with roles reversed. A great effort put in by Ivan, Billy and Ewan, however, while bowling with only a small total to defend - and a particular mention for Ellie, taking the gloves for the first time in 9 months on a difficult wicket for keepers. And ultimately it was a glorious day for a game, with Meigle Park giving even Grange Loan a serious run for its money as a beautiful place to play cricket. Many thanks to Gala for hosting us so generously and in such good spirit.

Questions, questions, questions. On a beautiful summer's day at Inch Park, this week's "home" for the nomadic Famous Fives, questions were on everyone's lips. Would Shaun return? Could the toss be won? Might the Fives batting line-up, stiffened by Murray Johnson, Ru McIntyre and the newly-slimline Martin "Boom Boom" Robertson, break the magic 100 run barrier? Would the selection committee manage to find the team a keeper?

As the ranks assembled at Inch Park, taking a moment on their way to sweep water bottles, McFlurry containers and crisp packets from the lush outfield (blooming with a lovely display of daisy and dandelion flowers) the first answers came trickling in. Stand-in skipper Keith continued to hold the reins (Shaun apparently busy in Lisbon, leading an inquiry into events leading up to the stage invasion suffered by SuRie at the recent Eurovision Song Contest), and his team included young Max D'Ulisse, making his senior debut, as 'keeper. Interestingly, Max's call up allowed the Fives to beat their own recently-set Stat of the Day - the age range from youngest to oldest player on the teamsheet stretched by an additional year to a seriously impressive 61.

Other answers were less welcome. Keith had been spotted in intensive training at Tuesday's nets, working on calling correctly. Unfortunately, the tenacious defensive technique for which his batting is famed again translated poorly to the coin-toss milieu - the skipper only able to extend his perfect losing record to three from three. Boroughmuir invited the Fives to have a bat.

Keith and Murray picked their way through the wildflowers and divots, arriving safely at the crease to open. Batting immediately looked a precarious proposition, with marked variable bounce on offer from both ends of the artificial strip. The openers proceeded cautiously, until Murray flicked one straight to the man at square leg in the fourth over (M Johnson 1). RuaMac, in at three, couldn't repeat his recent destructive form, bowled by a good inswinger for a couple (R McIntyre 2). Ikra joined the skipper in the middle with the Fives' innings already in need of some re-building. The two put on a solid 37 in the next 17 overs, only ended by a run-out showcasing good fielding, somewhat less good calling, and Keith's knees (K Murray 23); Ewan Hutchinson next in. Ikra was immediately next to go - perhaps distracted by a spot of guilt over that call - feathering one behind while looking for the cut (I Farooq 8) and the Fives wobbling on 49/4 from 25. Martin and Hutchie set about upping the rate with a combination of well-taken sharp singles and some trademark Robertson boundaries - 31 shared by them in the next five overs before both were cleaned up by A Hodge with a bit of assistance from the pitch (M Robertson 18; E Hutchinson 12). Paul Stones and Stuart Dawson made a similarly assertive start, a boundary apiece, and (with a few positive words of encouragement from the sidelines) some singles too. At 99 for 6, things were looking somewhat better than in the previous two matches. However, their promising partnership of 13 was broken with the loss of Paul's off stump (P Stones 7). Euan Murray - handsomely rewarded for last week's half-decent effort with the bat with a demotion to 9 - came out, only to see Stuart's stumps splattered by one that kept low as he tried to get on with it (S Dawson 4). A significant moment, though, as that brought Max to the crease for the first time in senior cricket - the youngster immediately looking right at home with a solid block. Rather unsentimentally, the Boroughmuir square leg chose next ball to pluck a magnificent diving catch off the turf from a nicely-timed flick (M D'Ulisse 0). DC came out with licence to go hard, unlucky to middle one straight to cover (D Carter 0), leaving Euan stranded on 0* and the Fives just barely into the magic three figures, 101ao, with 10 balls left unbowled.

Your correspondent will hand over to Murray for a summary of tea: "A good spread, although not the best balance between sweet and savoury. The proportions are wrong, too much sweet - it's 75/25 and should be closer to 50/50". This analysis did not, it should be noted, seem to put Murray off a thorough enjoyment of the majority of sweet items on offer.

Suitably refuelled, the Fives took the field. RuaMac and Euan opened the bowling, hoping to take advantage of the surface and make some early inroads. Sadly, both suffered frustrating spells - a few shots spooned up which dropped safe, some nicks that went straight down, a tough chance that Max just couldn't cling on to, and a decent lbw shout denied - Rua in particular bowling with good pace and inducing a number of false shots. On another day he could have had three or four. G Dickson, opening for Boroughmuir, did himself a fairly serious looking mischief in taking a quick single - unfortunately his resulting lack of mobility encouraged him to stand and try to smash every ball and the rate was getting out of hand. Euan made way for DC (E Murray 4-0-21-0) and Rua for Ikra (R McIntyre 5-0-36-0). G Dickson finally retired hurt, but the excellent I Mohammed was in full flow at the other end. DC, however, frustrated him with a tight couple of overs and almost did for him with one that came back off the edge of the arti. “Good use of the pitch DC” boomed the skipper. DC eventually got him to attempt to hit one over the top - but could only fire a drive straight at mid-on, Euan taking a smart catch (D Carter 4-0-13-1). Not to be outdone, Ikra continued to give it some flight and revs from the other end - rewarded for a good spell with a sensational diving take from Rua at midwicket (I Farooq 4-0-30-1). The door was definitely ajar for the Fives, but there were just too few runs on the board and Boroughmuir, perhaps slightly nervously, found the last few they needed. Boroughmuir win by 8 wickets.

What to say following the Fives' third virtually identical loss in a row? Well - it takes something a bit special to come in to your first senior game, aged 11, and be asked to keep on a minefield to a sharp opening bowler (and admittedly, in the shape of your correspondent, a considerably less sharp one), with the added pressure of a small total to defend. A great debut from Max, who looked right at home in senior cricket and did an excellent job behind the stumps - this undoubtedly the first of many appearances for Carlton. He had lots of chat and coped particularly well with the many low deliveries. The Fives catching and ground fielding was much improved, with plenty of energy and enthusiasm provided by juniors and seniors alike. And once again, there was really nothing wrong with this performance against one of the strongest teams in the league that an extra 30 runs on the board wouldn't have gone a long way to fixing - the margin of defeat might look large, but with the three best opposition batsmen back in the hutch (and/or badly injured, but we'll take what we can get) there was definitely an air of concern about the ‘Muir batting at the end. Congratulations to Boroughmuir, and thanks - this game played in exactly the right spirit and all the more enjoyable for that.

The 5s assembled at a sunny Cavalry Park for their fourth outing of season against table topping Marchmont, conscious that they had yet to win a match or even post a competitive total so far this season. They were determined to improve on previous performances.

There was the usual mixture of youth and experience, with two new debutants in Finn Gibb and 11 year old Ben Stronach joining seasoned 5s junior regulars Ivan Dawson and keeper Max D'Ulise. The 5s also welcomed the return of Ian Thomson and Charles Stronach, who was keeping a fatherly eye on young Ben.

Stand-in skipper Keith Murray had lost the first three tosses of the season and was keen to end this unfortunate run. He therefore took the precaution of negotiating with Rob Trantor, the Marchmont captain, to dispense with the toss and allow the 5s to bowl first. Rob sportingly agreed, something he may have regretted when he was bowled by the excellent Finn in the first over! The perfect start for the 5s.

Finn was well supported by Ivan at the other end and Max behind the stumps, who coped really well with the bouncy Astro, interspersing acrobatic stops with cheeky chirp and enthusiastic appeals. Unlike in previous games, the 5s did not let the opposition batters get away to a good start and Finn in particular bowled great line and length. He made way for Ikra and Ben replaced Ivan. Ben picked up his first league wicket when he tempted the Marchmont number 3 Wilson to pick out Ian at cover, who took a solid catch. Ikra also bowled a tidy spell, beating the bat on numerous occasions (8-0-41-0) and Charles Stronach tied up one end, bowling with great accuracy off a two step run up. The home side also survived a great run out chance when a mis-judged run to Paul Stones would have surely resulted in a wicket if the sharp throw from Paul had not hit the uneven ground and ballooned high over the diminutive Max’s head as he was waiting to whip the bails off.

However, at drinks, Marchmont were 75 for 2. The 5s were well in the game.

After drinks, the 5s capitalised on another run out chance, when good work from Ian in the covers allowed Ikra to run out the remaining Marchmont opener, Fraser. Finn returned for a second spell and had the dangerous Mascarenhas trapped LBW. He also bowled another to end with excellent figures on debut of 8-2-20-3. A great example of good line and pitching the ball up to get just rewards. Ben also came back and took a caught and bowled to get his second league wicket on debut. This was thoroughly deserved as his consistent line had caused problems for all the batters that faced him. A future star, no doubt. His figures were 8-0-40-2.

Charles then got in on the act, clearly not wanting to be out played by his 11 year old son! He took a couple of wickets (8-3-13-2) and Ivan returned to bowl a great final spell, full of hostility and accuracy. He was rewarded with a well deserved caught and bowled (8-0-27-1). Marchmont finished their innings on a relatively modest 158 for 9.

Tea was taken al fresco and the 5s felt they were in with a real chance of their first victory of the season. Keith and Ikra opened the batting, but the excellent Mascarenhas bowled with good pace, movement and accuracy to bowl Ikra and then Ian in the same over. Paul came in and hit a couple of fine boundaries before being bowled by a good ball. Keith fell shortly thereafter LBW, trying to sweep the first change spinner. John Beattie defended resolutely and was joined by Ben, who demonstrated that he is a genuine all rounder, batting with great technique and then clubbing a poor ball over mid wicket for four, before eventually being bowled by another good ball. Martin then came in and hit some trademark boundaries before picking out backward point, who took a good catch. When Finn then chipped another catch, the 5s run chase was now in serious trouble.

Charles then came to the wicket. He hit a number of fine boundaries in his distinctive style, flicking anything wayward to leg. This was starting to cause the Marchmont fielders some concern. The score advanced quickly to over a hundred and there were still enough overs left for the 5s to win the match. Unfortunately, Charles then fell LBW to the Marchmont skipper in a decisive moment of the game for 21 and when John was bowled by the returning Mascarenhas shortly thereafter for an obdurate 20, the 5s position looked hopeless. This left only Ivan and Max to get the 50 odd runs required. They firstly set about getting the next batting point at 110, which they duly achieved courtesy of a lusty blow for four from Ivan and sharp running from Max. However, any chance of greater glory was extinguished by Ivan’s next big hit being taken by a good catch by Rob at deep mid off. The Fives were all out for 114.

Although this was another loss, the bowling and fielding performance was very good against the top team in the league. Particular credit should go to all three junior bowlers and Max who kept so gamely being the stumps. If one of the senior players had capitalised on their start and made a decent score, this was a game the 5s could and perhaps should have have won. However, there were lots of positives in what was without doubt the best performance of the season to date.

A big thank you to Rob and his team for agreeing to let us bowl first and for playing the game in such excellent spirit throughout. Good luck for the rest of the season.

The 5s have now given debuts to 4 junior players in their first 4 matches this year. All of the debutants have performed very well and looked very much at home in senior cricket. We have also played some of the stronger teams in the league, but that elusive win is still to come. Maybe next week.....

As the unseasonably warm weather continued, there was one streak which the Famous Fives hoped fervently to beat - four losses on the trot perhaps starting to weigh slightly on even the most upbeat characters in the ranks. Still, there was much to be positive - the tantalising prospect of an actual win at the toss; a whisper that home-baked cake would be provided for tea by latest debutant Rory Ledingham's mum; the unheard-of luxury of a choice of 'keepers.

Arriving "home" to the welcoming outer orbits of Peffermill, jauntily overlooked by the neighbourhood tower blocks, Shaun settled immediately back into the role of captain - first winning the toss, then cheerfully delegating wicketkeeping duties to Ian Thomson, who had unwisely mentioned within the skipper's earshot that he might once have kept for a couple of overs in 1979. Gav Murray, displaying the wisdom accrued during years of experience with the 5s, had previously made it clear to Shaun that he was sufficiently injured to prevent 'keeping, but not so seriously as to stop him from fielding at backward point, opening the batting, and perhaps having a bit of a bowl.

Unfortunately, the Fives found themselves two men short at the start of the innings - Euan Keatinge still en route from a previous game, and one man permanently down thanks to an unfortunate Teamer mishap. On the plus side, Penicuik were also shorthanded and could only field 9. Driving away any possible despondency, John Beattie put some fire into the Fives' bellies by reminding them that they each only needed to cover as much ground as two fielders to make up the difference - sage advice worthy of the absent stand-in skipper Keith.

Jamie Beattie and Euan Murray opened the bowling - Jamie thanks to his pace, guile, and oft-demonstrated skill as a new ball bowler, and your correspondent on the basis that he had agreed to do the match report in exchange.

Conditions were perfect for a bowl - a decent grass strip, warm and humid, plenty of cloud about. And happily the Fives attack was up the task of utilising them - Jamie and Euan both settling into a rhythm and sending down some good stuff. Euan once again struck with his first ball of the match (a slightly better effort than last time round - a regulation nick confidently pouched by Ian behind the sticks) and Jamie followed up with a well-deserved wicket in his fifth over, beating the Penicuik opener all ends up for pace (not for the first time) and knocking back his leg stump. Euan then took his second - a monstrous hoick across the line spiralling way, way high into the hazy skies, DC waiting an absolute age to watch it safely into his clutches at mid-off. Never in doubt, the skipper indicated how confident he'd been - "Honestly, Dave, I thought that was going to kill you".

After 10, Penicuik were looking shaky at 18-3. Rory and DC were first change, and Rory sent down a lovely spell on debut - tight lines and a bit of bounce from a good length caused some serious alarm, and despite finishing wicketless this was a rock-solid start (R Ledingham 5-1-20-0). DC should have had the excellent Snodgrass caught at mid-on when he skied one - a high, hanging catch grassed by your correspondent the only blot on the Fives' otherwise excellent fielding copy-book. Some amends were made shortly afterwards, a much harder diving catch taken this time by Euan M at mid-on - DC bowled through and definitely unfortunate just to have the one in the wickets column (D Carter 8-0-36-1). At drinks, Penicuik were 58-4.

The arrival of Euan K at the ground gave the skipper an additional spin option, and he turned to the young leggie to replace Rory. A brace of wickets just reward from Keatinge Minor's spell - a full one cleaning up G Ingram; and the properly-spelled Euan axis then doing for F Hafiz, deceived in the flight and only able to chip one straight to Euan M at cover (E Keatinge 5-0-29-2). With 27 bowled and the score 93-6, Jamie and Euan M, were recalled, Jamie finishing with a beautifully bowled 6-1-16-1 and Euan M cleaning up the Penicuik tail, somehow ending (to the great surprise of all watching, not least himself) with 7.5-3-10-4. Penicuik 112 a.o. in the 31st, mostly thanks to a wonderful knock from young Oliver Snodgrass, undefeated on 72* - well batted, and clearly a very promising talent.

Tea was of such quality that the participants stared in wonder, querying aloud whether they stood at Peffermill in a gentle June mizzle, or upon the very Elysian Fields themselves. The scorers' table groaned under the weight of home-baked cakes which adorned it, and a veritable cornucopia of delights - Empire biscuits; sandwiches, pillow-soft in their plumpness; glistening summer fruits; and others too varied to mention - was displayed in great profusion. John and Sarah (Rory's mum) vied for bragging rights on the finest cake, but despite carefully sampling three slices of each for the purposes of rigorous research your correspondent is unable to indicate which was superior. Same again next time please, all, and I'll try to decide.

The Fives recognised that a target of 113 should be well within reach with a bit of sensible batting. However, the humid and overcast skies of the first innings had made way for some persistent drizzle which quickly clung to the outfield and slowed it up considerably. Runs would be hard-earned. John and Gav strode out through the rain to begin the reply. Gav made a watchful start and had tucked away a couple of neat twos before being returned by the finger of doom - pinned in front by one that kept down (G Murray 6). Gav's departure brought the junior Beattie to the crease, and the Fives benefited from the second excellent Ja/Jo Beattie partnership of the season, 37 added in good order before Beattie the Younger was tempted by the slow right arm of the ominously-named Scar and spooned one up to short extra cover (Jamie Beattie 13 - a good innings, Jamie doing well to recover from a nasty blow inflicted by Snodgrass).

Euan K next up, his first contribution to ping a boundary off the front foot and generally look the business in the middle. At drinks, the Fives were right on target at 52-2. Beattie the not-so-Younger was next to be undone by Scar (don't worry though, kids, Simba beats him in the end) - another one that kept a bit low as the pitch absorbed the rain, and another victim of the finger of doom - but a good knock nonetheless and just what was required in the situation (John Beattie 20).

Paul Bailey ran some lesser-spotted twos to the slow outfield, but was the third to fall to the itchy trigger finger and be sent back LBW (P Bailey 6), Ian Thomson taking his place. Euan K was Scar's next victim, caught in the ring for a combative 10. His departure brought debutant Rory to the crease. Never an easy job to come out in a pressure situation, 34 needed from 10 with just three wickets in hand, but Rory took to the crease as the proverbial duck to water, working the sharp pace of Snodgrass around the field entirely untroubled and hitting a rare boundary. His enthusiasm was perhaps a slight mismatch for Ian's knees (which had, let's not forget, kept for 31 overs) at the other end, but he gamely kept up with some well-called 2s.

Snodgrass eventually got one through and onto off stump but a superb knock from Rory on debut, getting a bit of impetus into the innings at exactly the right time and putting the Fives firmly back into the driving seat (R Ledingham 13). The skipper himself sauntered nonchalantly to the middle, pausing only briefly to remember whether he batted with his glasses on or off. A quite extraordinary passage of play followed - Shaun pushing one to mid-off and setting off for an... assertive single, the throw missing by a mile at the bowler's end with the skipper having made it at least eleven of the twenty-two yards down the pitch. A similarly assertive call to the arm of the fielder backing up the overthrow resulted in an identical miss at the striker's end, the skipper this time a mere five or six yards short of his ground. And away we went again, another single to the fielder backing up, Shaun "sprinting" back towards the non-strikers' end, where a fumble allowed him to make the scant seven or eight yards to safe ground. The scorebook records this wretched affair rather more succinctly as "3". Ian was unfortunate to fall bowled to Snodgrass (I Thomson 9, although he ran closer to 30), bringing Euan M to the crease. Alas, his attempts to burnish (or, indeed, establish) all-round credentials were ended by an ill-advised swipe at one which pitched half-way and made it at least six inches off the ground on its unerring way to leg stump (E Murray 0).

So - DC the last man in, 105 on the clock with 36 bowled and still eight needed. Sir Alex Ferguson's squeaky bum time: the tension etched on the faces of the ranks, watching with chewed nails and sweat-stained shirts; a waft of hircus mixing with the air of concern. 37th - just a bye, 106 the score and 7 needed. 38th - two byes, a wide, two huge shouts for LBW against DC bringing hearts to mouths, two more byes, a single - scores tied. And Shaun nudged the final ball out into the covers for - this time - an easy single and a very hard fought win (D Carter 1*; S Barrett 9*). Carlton 5s beat Penicuik 2s by one wicket.

A much deserved win for the Fives, and three worthy of special mention - Rory had a fabulous game on debut, bowling with good control and really showing how it should be done with the bat, very well played. Ian kept with distinction and can take a great deal of credit - the tally of byes stood at just 2 conceded by Carton against 19 by Penicuik, the difference compensating for the slower outfield during the Fives' innings. Finally Euan Murray with ball and two excellent catches in the field had his best day for the famous fives. Plenty of energy from everyone in the field, maintained as ever by John's unceasing enthusiasm.

Penicuik's young No.3 batted brilliantly in difficult conditions and can count himself unlucky to be on the losing end of this one - hopefully he will win many more games for his side, at least until we play them again... Many thanks indeed to Penicuik for a properly enjoyable game of cricket.

With Saturday’s play lost to rather more typical Scottish summer weather than that recently experienced, your correspondent spent considerable time during the afternoon and evening engaged in a number of anti-rain-dance rituals – all in the hope of preserving the rare Sunday spectacle of a Famous Fives home match actually at home.  Whether by good fortune or, perhaps, the siren call of a match at HQ, the previous week’s selection issues had eased, and the committee was able to summon a full roster of regular Fives hands, senior and junior, to face Musselburgh 3s.

Skipper Shaun, flush from a run of wins at the toss, was in bullish mood about his chances - but disappointingly couldn’t make home advantage count.  Musselburgh (clearly after extensive study of the Fantasy Bob manual on the appropriate response to winning the toss at GL) immediately elected to field.

David Simpson and former stand-in skipper Keith Murray, returning to the ranks, strode to the middle.  Alas, David was unable to continue his sparkling form of the previous week and fell victim to some slow, tennis ball bounce from the gentle pace of Chakrabaty – only able to loop one to point (D Simpson 2).  Something of a portent of things to come… Rory Ledingham, the first of the cadre of Fives youngsters, took David’s place but was undone by the same bowler, the ball just nicking the bails from a good length (R Ledingham 0).  Dougie Firth nudged a two off his hip, only to chip another slow riser, this time from Miller, into the grateful hands of point (D Firth 2), and when young Ben Stronach followed in identical fashion next ball (B Stronach 0) the Fives were in some trouble at 20/4 from 8.  Cometh the hour, cometh the livewire keeper, Max D’Ulisse buzzing to the middle and stroking a single out into the leg side to repel the hat-trick ball and get off the mark.  Unfortunately this brought him within the jurisdiction of the merciless finger of doom from the other end, adjudged LBW to one which, in Max’s lengthy post-event narrative, was firmly middled into his thigh-pad from at least three feet outside leg stump (M D’Ulisse 1).  At 22/5, more than a little re-building was required and Ikra took to the crease to partner Keith with the aim of keeping it tight.  Fortunately, the pair were able to resist any further damage and made it to drinks with the score a slightly healthier looking 47/5.

Keith and Ikra continued very comfortably for another 14 overs, both batting nicely – accumulating sensibly and, increasingly, meting out appropriate punishment to poor balls.  Keith reached his 50 in the 34th over, shortly before Ikra fell – bowled by a well-disguised quicker one from Patterson for an excellent and much-needed 25, their partnership of 77 pivotal in getting the Fives to a good platform.  Billy Bertram was the final junior up, but couldn’t make any impression on the awkward leg-breaks of Ray (B Bertram 0), Paul Bailey next in with five overs remaining and free rein to have a go.  He and Keith upped the tempo, rattling the score along from 100/7 in the 35th to 151 from 40 with hard hitting from both ends – a fantastic knock from Keith who moved through the gears very nicely indeed and displayed an impressive array of attacking shots (K Murray 79*) and a perfectly-judged cameo from Paul (P Bailey 18*) taking the Fives to a highly respectable total – and one which had looked a long way off from the depths of 22/5.

The players feasted greatly upon a sumptuous tea, kindly laid on by Anne and the team – a lovely change from the scorer’s table fare of previous “home” games.  Tempting as it was (for your correspondent at least) to remain ensconced in the clubhouse within easy reach of the leftover cakes and biscuits, perhaps accompanied by something cold and wet from the bar, the Fives took to the field with high hopes of defending 151.

Once again opening the bowling, this time in tandem with Billy, your correspondent took unkindly to being thrashed through cover for four second ball, a half-decent delivery in reply castling the Musselburgh opener.  From the other end, Billy opened up in similarly impressive style, a huge shout for LBW answered in the affirmative with the batsman beaten for pace and pinned stone cold in front of middle.  While Billy continued to bowl a testing line and length, the ball was (allegedly) becoming difficult to grip in the slightly damp conditions and your correspondent was guilty of sending down a series of miserable no-balls and low full tosses - justifiably hooked and replaced with the considerably more impressive Ben; Rory also coming in to the attack to give Billy a breather.  The next action, however, was a carbon-copy of Shaun “Deadeye” Barrett’s all-action fielding display from the previous week, the skipper swooping in the ring and executing the perfect direct hit to see off McDonald.

Ben bowled a particularly impressive spell, the left-hander’s angle and excellent control of line and length causing all sorts of problems for the batsmen.  Great credit to Ben too for not letting his head drop after a couple of fours were hit: he was rewarded for perseverance with two wickets in the final two overs of his spell, the last a beautifully bowled wicket maiden.  And the first of those wickets is worth recording in some detail – the batsman caught flat-footed on his crease by one shaping away on a perfect length and only able to get a healthy nick through, Max taking a superb diving catch (his first as a senior keeper) a long way across to his right (B Stronach 6-1-24-2).  Excellent cricket from the two youngest members of the team.  Rory kept it tight at the other end, although also struggled a little with the slightly damp ball and couldn’t quite find the same consistent line as last week to make the breakthrough (R Ledingham 5-0-15-0).  At drinks, Musselburgh were reasonably placed at 73/5.

Ikra and Dougie came in to the attack, the game poised.  Max, presumably wishing to re-live that fine catch in his head free from the burden of the gloves, passed keeping duties to Rory.  C Fox, the Musselburgh No.6, was set and looked the key wicket.  He controlled the strike expertly and kept accumulating, with the extras count continuing to tick along as well.  Ikra extracted some turn and bounce, eventually rewarded when the left handed Glazier swung across one that gripped, the skewed drive safely held (eventually, in the regulation Division 7 manner, via elbow and armpit) by your correspondent, lurking at mid-off (I Farooq 5-0-30-1).  Dougie toiled manfully at the other end but once again found himself out of luck, nothing aerial dropping near a fielder; good control though and conceding just three an over kept the Fives firmly in the game (D Firth 5-1-15-0). Some superb support, too, in the field – David hurling himself around in the covers and cutting off a number of certain boundaries, Rory keeping it neat and tidy behind the stumps, and good work from all to chase down anything that made it past the ring.  With Musselburgh 125/6 after 31 it was clear that four wickets would be needed if the Fives were to win.  The opening bowlers returned, attacking field set.  Your correspondent eked out the Musselburgh No.7 when he mistimed a drive to mid-on, a smart catch taken by Billy, and despite an expensive penultimate over produced two stump-rattling yorkers in the 35th (E Murray 8-1-34-4 – and on a hat-trick, stats fans, if ever allowed to bowl again).  Billy had kept up the pressure expertly from his end, giving nothing to hit and snaking several deliveries past the outside edge.  As he lined up to bowl the 36th over, Musselburgh were 147/9 with Fox on strike - he scrambled a couple of slightly frantic twos to tie the scores, and Billy concluded a highly effective spell with 7-0-20-1, deserving of greater reward.  With Fox only able to watch from the non-strikers’ end, skipper Shaun brought himself on – a hero wicket needed to secure the tie.  ‘Twas not to be, however, the Musselburgh No.11 finding a gap in the tight ring field and scraping the win (S Barrett 0.1-0-4-0).  Musselburgh 3 win by one wicket.

The tightest of tight defeats for the Fives, and when the dust settled the bowling unit was left to rue a disappointing tally of 28 wides and 6 no-balls which ultimately undid some otherwise excellent work.  Conditions played a part and the Musselburgh attack also struggled with a slightly greasy ball (18 wides and 5 no balls).  Even half a dozen more runs to play with at the death might well have translated into a win, but… a good lesson for all in the importance of keeping extras down, and something to work on for the next set of fixtures.  However, the Fives can be reasonably content with a maximum haul of 10 bonus points and certainly very happy with such an exciting game overall – chapeau again to Keith for an innings of real quality.  Many thanks and congratulations to Musselburgh who were in great form throughout, and deserving of their narrow win.