The SPCU team headed down to Meigle CC on Saturday to play at the fortress that is Victory Park. With Rufus still nursing his broken finger/nail/bruise* (delete as appropriate), Andrew captained the troops once again. Andrew failed his first task as he had a poor toss, and SDCC were invited to bat.
Ewan and Mark opened up on a tough batting pitch. After seeing off the first 8 overs, Ewan missed a straight one and was bowled for 6. SDCC 16-1.
The run rate increased as Andrew came to the crease and Mark went on the attack. Just after the score had reached 50, Andrew (11) was adjudged LBW to overseas player, Farmer. SDCC 52-2.
Connor then came and went after a quick fire 10, bowled by Hales. Mark was batting well and putting any bad balls away. This brought veteran Mike to the crease to join Mark.
Mike and Mark kept the run rate increasing by pushing fielders hard and putting the bad balls away. We passed 100 and knew that anything above 150 was going to be a good score. Mike was bowled by Farmer for a very well made 20. SDCC 109-4.
Mark passed his 50 before departing to a well taken catch at mid-off. Jack was out soon after for 1 but was unlucky as it looked like the ball may have been a no ball.
Tariq and George batted through the rest of the innings going at 4 an over before George was bowled for 16 with only 2 balls left. Jon was sent in with a licence a hi, and was bowled on the last ball of the innings.
SDCC finished on 161-8 off our 45 overs.
After an absolutely spectacular tea, which consisted of a steak pie, beans and potatoes and then strawberries, cream and meringue for desert. Thank you very much to Meigle tea ladies for the fantastic tea. As Andrew said “when you see tomato sauce on the table, you know it’s going to be good”.
We opened up with Jon from one end and David from the other. We started well with a good first over from Jon, who got the ball swinging from the off. David’s first ball induced the Meigle pro only for Farmer to see his cut shot grasped by Ewan at point. With confidence up, David (3-36) soon removed both Clark and Barron, with neither troubling the scorers. Jon (1-15) enticed Neave to give Tariq a catch behind as Meigle dropped to 20-4.
Drummond came to the crease and began what turned out to be a match winning partnership with opener Knight. We continued to bowl well and chances were offered which were not accepted. The old saying never felt more appropriate when saying “Catches Win Matches” and this proved to be the case for SDCC with David having both Drummond and Knight dropped in the slips cordon.
George and Jon both bowled tight spells, George bowled 9 overs for 27 and was unlucky not too get a wicket. Andrew also bowled a hostile body line spell, used all facilities available and bounced the batsman without reward.
The rain halted play and Meigle were just ahead of the run rate and finished winning by 16 runs on D/L. Meigle 131-4 from 36 overs with Knight finishing on 86 not out. Drummond supported him well with 32 not out.
Plenty of positives to take from the game into our last game of the season at home to Forthill.
SDCC MoM: – Mark for his fantastic 50 which just pips David’s 3-36.
Meigle CC MoM: Knight’s 86 not out that was key to Meigle’s win while wickets fell around him.
Highlight of the Match: The Meigle CC tea ladies for a spectacular tea. This actually pushed Knight for his MoM award.