Firsts Lose 100% Record

Falkland 159 all out
(A Nangia 37 not out, A Ferguson 26, G Maiden 4 for 25)

Grange 160 for 6
(A Pillai 30, G Munsey 29, R Flannigan 28 not out)

Falkland Lost by 4 Wkts

Falkland were delivered a harsh lesson on life at the top by Grange at Scroggie on Saturday. The lesson was that you get off with nothing at all at the top level with batting failures, no balls and wides all punished harshly by ruthless opponents.

Falkland won the toss and decided to bat. The start was sedate and steady, but, apart from Adam Ferguson, no-one really displayed any staying power, and with 7 wickets down for 89, it did not look as if Falkland would even reach three figures. But Ash Nangia and Ryan Hepburn showed some late resistance and a total of 159 was a lot better than what seemed likely at one point. A large part of this innings was played in steady drizzle, but to the credit of the Umpires and both teams, the game continued.

Conditions were a great deal drier in the second half, in which Grange got off to a good start, putting on 49 for the first wicket. Falkland however rallied and when the sixth wicket went down with 44 runs still required, they were definitely in with a chance, but a good stand between Flannigan and Angelini saw the Edinburgh side home. Falkland's concession of 26 extras was a major disappointment and at one point, Sharif bowled Flannigan - but it was a no ball! The game was played in a good spirit throughout, and it was a good game of cricket, albeit without the result that Falkland and their supporters would have wished.

Falkland will learn lessons from this, one hopes, and with a record of 3 wins out of 4 games played, they are still off to a good start to the season. A trip to Myreside to play Watsonians awaits next Saturday.

David Potter

WITH THANKS TO OUR MATCH DAY SPONSOR - RANDY & SUSAN WALLACE