Falkland Lose to Arbroath in Low Scoring Game

Falkland 98 all out in 32.2 Overs
(S Sharif 47 not out. E Willemse 3 for 31)

Arbroath 99 for 6 in 36.5 Overs
(E Willemse 31, BC Carnegie 29 not out)

Falkland Lost by 4 Wkts.

Falkland had a disappointing home defeat to Arbroath on Saturday, losing by 4 wickets. The game was tight, however, and with a little luck, Falkland might have done better.

Overnight and early morning rain delayed the start until 2.00 pm and the game was reduced to 38 Overs per side. Falkland were invited to bat first, and were off to a steady start until an unfortunate run out saw the departure of Adam Ferguson. Thereafter, apart from an unbeaten 47 from Sharif, things did not go well for Falkland in the face of some good Arbroath bowling in helpful conditions. But there were 5 ducks in the Falkland innings, and Falkland committed the cardinal sin of not being able to use up all their allotted Overs, being all out for 98 in 32.2 Overs.

But they started well in the field and early wickets from Ryan Hepburn and Safyaan Sharif had Arbroath rocking at 14 for 4. But then Elton Willemse and Blair Carnegie put on 54 for the next wicket, starting slowly and riding their luck on occasion, until Cloete Buitendag caught Willemse off the bowling of Brock Ditchmen to make the score 68 for 5 and to put the game on a knife edge for a spell. But Carnegie kept batting steadily and saw Arbroath home with 4 wickets to spare.

Falkland are to be commended for their fielding and their general attitude, but lacked a little application and doggedness in their batting. They managed to gain 2 consolation points for their run rate's proximity to that of Arbroath, but it is clear that this season will need a great deal of hard graft. The team visit RH Corstorphine in Saturday in Edinburgh and then travel to Perth to play Doo'cot Park in the Scottish Cup on Sunday.

David Potter