Terrific Effort From 3rds Just Falls Short

Peebles County 264 for 7
(A. Maxwell 81, P. Caddick 64. L. Robertson 2-27, D. Wilkie 2-33)

Falkland 3rd XI 254 for 8
(D. Wilkie 59, M. Low 59. J. Knight 3-39)

Falkland Lost by 10 Runs.

Falkland fielded a young side on a fine day for cricket with the School Field having never looked better. After winning the toss Falkland elected to bowl as Peebles had struggled recently. This looked to be a good decision as tight bowling from Calum Watson and Dale Wilkie restricted Peebles to 39-2 after 10 overs with Dale picking up the two wickets.

Sloppy bowling and fielding allowed Peebles to rebuild as Caddick and Maxwell put on 172 for the 3rd wicket however both batsmen were dropped at least once. In the 34th over Greg Chambers took a good high catch off Calum May to break the partnership with Caddick departing for 64 with the score on 193.

Wickets came more frequently after this with Greg Chambers getting Maxwell for 81. Calum Watson also picked up a wicket and Lyle Robertson bowling for the first time for the 3rd XI was very tidy and picked up 2 wickets.

In the end Peebles reached 264-7 from their 45 overs which on another day would have been considerably less, Falkland contributing to the total by conceding over 60 extras. Still, with the outfield incredibly quick it was a total which could be chased down if Falkland batted well.

Falkland opened the batting with Gregor Lawson and Devon May and scored quickly until Devon was bowled in the 8th over for 17. Danny Caldwell came in at 3 and hit two boundaries before being superbly caught for 10. Calum May was next and batted sensibly until he and Gregor were out in the space of two overs. Gregor made 42 and Calum 21. Liam Farell was next and unlikely run out without scoring but this brought Dale Wilkie and Mel Low together with the score on 100-5 after 23 overs. Both batted positively and scored quickly to set up a tense finish. Dale reached his first 50 and Mel quickly followed this by reaching 50 himself.

With both still in Falkland required 35 from the last five overs to complete a remarkable victory but with Peebles posting all their fielders on the boundary the run rate slowed slightly and both Dale and Mel were caught in the deep, both finishing on 59. Calum Watson and Lyle Robertson were left with a nearly impossible task in the last couple of overs and Falkland fell ten runs short.

Mistakes in the field cost Falkland what would have been a superb result but despite the loss there were plenty positives to take and that kind of batting performance must be carried forward for the rest of the season. League leaders Glenrothes await next week and a disciplined showing with the ball could certainly lead to a shock.

Gregor Lawson