Falkland Win Opening Friendly

Falkland 1st XI 201 for 2 (40 overs)
(M Surry 66, A Rhode 52no, B Strachan 40no)

Forfarshire 163 all out (39 overs)
(U Mohammed 52, J Hogarth 32, S Boyd 4-11)

Falkland won by 38 runs.

Falkland got their season underway with a friendly away to Forfarshire on Saturday and a new look Falkland side, (4 players were making debuts), came away with a 38 run victory.

Batting first, Falkland got off to a steady start with Matt Surry and Paul Spillane having a good look at the bowling, (which was accurate), and the wicket. It was the 4th over before Paul scored the first run. After 10 overs, there were only 15 runs on the board, but it was then, as the bowling changed, that the acceleration occurred.

The score had moved on to 68 in the 19th over when the first wicket fell, Paul being caught for 15. Matt continued to bat with increasing confidence and was joined by Ardene who seemed to quickly adapt to the unfamiliar surroundings. Matt was eventually bowled for 66 which contained four 4s and four 6s. Ben joined Ardene and they took the final score to 201/2 with Ardene making 52 and Ben 40, including a 6 into the houses.

After the shower which threatened to turn to hail, Falkland took to the field with Stephen Boyd taking the new ball with Ben, and the fourth debutant, Jamie Smithurst came on first change. Stephen took a wicket in each of his first 2 overs and came back in the 17th over to dismiss the dangerous Mohammed for 52. He eventually finished with 4 for 11 from 6 overs, 2 catches. Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter and were shared around, with Ardene claiming 2 and Calum Watson, Jamie, Greg and Brock 1 each.

The opposition were bowled out for 163 meaning Falkland won by 38 runs.

Dave Chambers