Last Over Defeat Deflates 2s

The Two's suffered their first defeat of the league campaign, against Edinburgh Uni staff, in what was a tetchy affair at a cold, wet, miserable Scroggie Park.
It was a game we should/could have won but failed to capitalize on our decent batting performance.

The game started just after quarter past 2 as the university employees arrived late. We decided to implement rule 11.3 of esca league rules and informed the university staff that they had forfeited the toss and we would be batting. This did not go down to well with the opposition and was the probable catalyst of what turned out to be a very tense and at times tetchy match.

For the second week on the trot Waldo & Tam opened up. Unlike last week the partnership was broken early doors as Tam appeared to snick one behind and Grant Porteous lifted the finger,Tam departed for two, although he did say he never touched it???? Scholsey followed suit when he played a rash shoot for the second week in a row and he was back in the clubhouse for 6. With the score 12/2 some consolidation was needed. This came in the form of Mike Mo and Waldo who had a partnership of 71.The partnership ended when Mike Mo was caught & bowled before drinks for 36.
After drinks Waldo completed his half century but quickly departed after he inside edged one onto his stumps. A well constructed 51 for Paul see's him in good early season form following on from his 24 last week.

We then discovered after much deliberation that in East league division 4 we now play 45 overs instead of 50. This meant that captian Sulli and Callum had to quicken the pace and this they duly did, picking gaps in the field and dispatching the bad ball to the boundary. A very useful partnership of 80 from these two saw us finish up on 202/4. Wayne finished with 36 and Callum 45.

202 after 45 overs was a good batting display and should have been enough for us to defend.

The university staff innings began in dreich conditions, these continued throughout the 45 overs.

Grant got an early wicket and things were looking rosy. However The uni staff 2nd wicket partnership of 120 put them firmly in the driving seat. The partnership was broken when Mike Mo trapped there number 3 in front for 44. Another decent partnership from the opposition edged them closer to victory but when there danger man and captain was caught by Wayne off the bowling of Mike Watson the game was in the balance once again. The opposition captain scored 76 and only gave one chance when he was on about 40, This was unfortunately dropped and proved costly. The uni staff number 4 was now the main danger man and he was also dropped when he was on 30. A smart stumping by Tam seen him depart for 42 and now victory was in our grasp as we were bowling against tailenders. The game came down to the last over with the visitors needing 15 from it. Seeing as they had only scored about 10 from overs 40 -44 this should have been out with the batsmen capabilities. It was down to Scott Meikle to bowl the last 6 balls. Three balls bowled and 3 runs scored all was looking well. Ball 4 found the edge and ran over the boundary. Ball 5 was above waist height and a no ball was correctly called to rub salt into the wounds it was dispatched for 4. From needing 8 from 2 balls to win the visitors now required 3 from two balls. Only one was required as another full toss was bowled and dispatched. Game Over.

After the game a much needed chat was had in the home dressing room. Lessons from this defeat need to be learned and quickly if we are to have any hope of achieving our goal for the season, promotion as champions.