3rds Find it Tough

Preston Village 187 for 9
(A.Anson 4-17, D.Wilkie 3-39)

Falkland 3rd XI 72 all out

Falkland Lost by 115 Runs

This week the 3rd XI had an away day to sunny Prestonpans although not so much factor 10 as gale force 10 - it wasn't sun block we were after, but an overcoat and balaclava. The words cricket, summer and Scotland should never be used in the same sentence. We are now thinking of arranging next years pre-season training somewhere north of Moscow just to acclimatise.

After looking forward to dusting the spikes off after 3 home games and playing on some nice luscious grass we were informed midweek that we would be on artificial - some of us have actually forgotten grass wickets are available.

The toss took place on their lush green artificial - well we had to imagine. It was won by myself for the 4th week in a row. Did it make a difference? We invited them to bat.

The bowling was opened by Grant 'look at my bruise' Langlands and Ash 'I drive a mini bus now' Anson. A good opening 6 overs from both of them with only 9 runs on the board and 1 wicket which went to Ash as he bowled the opener. Grant joined the party in the next over when he took the opposing captain's wicket as he beat him inside out and I took the stumping.

The bowling was changed after 8 overs as Ash finished his 4 with 1 for 5 and Grant 1 for 6. The new bowlers were Avin ' wake me up before you go go' Yadav and Scott' I work in St Andrews Uni' Robertson. Avin didn't hang around as he trapped their No 2 LBW with his 4th ball.

We had them 20 for 3 and looking good, but again we failed to capitalise as it was the 36th over before the next wicket came. Their No 4 had been at the crease so long the East Lothian Council had sent him a bill for council tax! I think the rest of the team had picked up their bucket and spade then headed for the East Sands. The bowling had been changed a few times during this prolonged period, but our heads didn't go down. We kept plugging away. We had used Dale 'I prefer playing football' Wilkie, Lyle' I'm just good at all sports' Robertson and one of our 2 debutants to senior cricket with Falkland in Cammy' the badge' Paton. The other debutant being Stuart 'I don't feel the cold' Melville. We threw everything at them except the proverbial kitchen sink. We maybe should have tried a pair of Dale's used boxers.....

When we did eventually get wicket No 4 the rest started to tumble quickly, Ash and Grant had been brought back into the attack and Ash finished with an excellent 4 for 17 from 9 and Grant a modest 1 for 24 from , Dale with a great 3 for 39, Scott 0 for 13 from 4, Avin 1 for 34 from 9, Lyle 0 for 16 from 4 and Cammy 0 for 28 from 3. We had got them 187 for 9. The good thing that was on show was that 7 of the opposition were bowled which goes to show we can bowl straight. Great respect for our 4 kids who were playing in that they never lost concentration all day. Tea was taken and most of us just wanted a heat.

We chiselled the frozen snot of our noses and got ready to bat. The innings was opened by Alan 'overseas amateur ' Wilkie and Scott. Alan was having trouble keeping his hat on with the wind and there was a chance of it landing somewhere south of Berwick. The wind certainly hadn't died down for our innings. Scott was first to go getting caught at first slip scoring 2. I'm sure he is making a pact with the other team before games to see which one of the slip cordon or wickie on who's turn it is to catch him. Alan was next to go in the 10th over, out LBW for 8. We were 14 for 2.

Dale entered the picture and showed a little bit of what he can do with a quick 10 before he tried to hit one back to Falkland which happened to be on his middle stump - out bowled. We had reached the 16th over and we were 28 for 3, not even managing 2 an over. I wouldn't say the run rate was slow, but we were making it look like Geoff Boycot was playing in a T20. The first of our youngsters was next at the crease as Cammy came in No 4. He did show a bit of resilience by hanging around and even trying to put one towards the boundary using his forearm. Lyle was at the other end and both kids were showing no fear as the fielders closed in.

Lyle was the first of the juniors to go getting caught for 2. He was soon followed by Cammy being bowled for 3. This brought myself and Ash together at the crease an we managed to have a record breaking 10 partnership before I was given a full toss and instead of stroking it to the boundary I hit it straight to the waiting hands of mid off. I scored 10. Ash followed soon playing the same shot as me, scoring 8. Avin lasted a little longer and managed three fours in a top score of 17. Grant had a score of 1, but we really must teach our kids why they take that wooden thing out with them as he tried to glance one down to fine leg using his inner thigh. Nice bruise! Davie 'Usain Bolt' Chambers scored 3 and Stuart was 0 not out. We were all out for 72 - another batting disaster.

I keep telling this statistic, but in the last 3 games our top 7 have a grand total of 90 runs. That is 21 batsmen, 21 chances and all we can muster is 90. Again, for the 3rd game running, our No 8 was top scorer. Hopefully things will change this Saturday at home AGAIN against Drummond Trinity. Lastly I would like to say thank you to the Preston Village boys for the hospitality post game and I hope we can show the same respect when they visit us later in the season.

Mel Low