Falkland Lose Out to Local Rivals

Freuchie 202 for 7
(R Wright 55, I Stonebridge 45, S Munro 39, A Hamilton 4 for 34)

Falkland 154 all out
(G Watson 54, C Nellies 28 not out, S Birrell 3 for 20, A Naeem 3 for 39)

Freuchie won by 48 runs

In fine weather, albeit with just a little too much of a breeze, Freuchie won the toss and batted. Good steady batting from Robbie Wright and an aggressive cameo of an innings from Ian Stonebridge saw Freuchie to a good total of 202 for 7 in their 45 Overs, but they were aided by the "Falkland disease" of conceding 25 wides, an eighth of the total and which also gave Freuchie an extra four Overs. But for the Wides, and also some rather scrappy ground fielding, Freuchie might well have been restricted to about 150. For Falkland the pick of the bowling was Alan Hamilton with 4 for 34.

The total was by no means unobtainaable, and for a while all looked good for Falkland as Watson and Sloan put on 37 for the first wicket, and at the half way stage Falkland were 100 for 3. But wickets began to fall, and the key wicket was when Watson played on to Cowan for 54, and although Nellies put up some late resistance with 28 not out, Falkland fell 48 runs short of what was required. Scott Birrell and Naeem both took 3 wickets each for Freuchie.

It was a sobering day for Falkland, for it brought to an end a run of three wins in the North Eastern Championship. Clearly there are aspects of their play which need to be worked on.

David Potter