1st XI v Cargilfield - Wednesday 13 May
1st XI: William G, James C, Magnus C, Will L, Geordie M-C, Arthur S-P, Henry F, Harry R, Ruben P, Mary H, Tilly L
St. Mary’s won by 7 wickets
We drove through some heavy showers on our way to Edinburgh today, but they never materialised to more than showers. We did get wet during the first innings but things improved as the match went on. Will lost the toss and we were asked to bowl first.
We opened with Will from the school end and on the 4th ball, he dismissed the Cargilfield number 2 with an excellent caught and bowled. The top edge went high but Will got underneath it, steadied himself and took the crucial catch. Arthur bowled the next over and on his 4th ball, he too took a wicket. This time it was the Cargilfield opener, an excellent ball that rattled his middle stump. The 3rd over, again from Will, was lively. A streaky edge that might have been taken in the slips, went for 4 but then two wickets in 3 balls, saw Cargilfield reduced to 20 for 4. Arthur took another wicket in his 2nd over which further raised spirits and rewarded Arthur for his super line and length. So, with Cargilfield 20 for 5 after 4 overs, we were very much on the front foot. A brief partnership interrupted the fall of wickets but in the 7th over, with Magnus bowling, Cargilfield lost two more wickets, one bowled and one caught and bowled. The latter was a super catch, a ball driven hard back at Magnus but he held on to it! Arthur took his third wicket of the day in the 11th over which was undoubtedly the key wicket. The Cargilfield number 6 was batting superbly and his wicket was a huge boost the team. Will and Magnus claimed the final two wickets of the innings, both bowled, the last of which fell after 12.3 overs. Will ended with figures of 4 for 12 off 3 overs, Magnus had figures of 3 for 17 off 3.3 overs and Arthur’s stats were 3 for 20 off 3. Henry held his own bowling from my end but didn’t pick up a wicket this time.
With a target of 77 to win, William and James opened. William saw off the first delivery and tried to sweep the 2nd behind square but missed the ball and was adjudged LBW; not the start we’d hoped for. Anxiety levels rose again in the 2nd over when Magnus chipped the ball back onto his stumps, rendering us 3 for 2 off 2. Will and James then steadied the ship for a couple of overs and were running well between the wickets and both looked in good shape. James played a lovely cut shot which went straight to backward point but Will had called the run and James didn’t make it home, partly due to a super direct hit. James’s dismissal brought Geordie to the crease, who although was slightly nervy to start with, soon settled and partnered Will at the other end. Both boys found a rhythm and took charge, playing some sublime shots. For the next 8 overs they picked the gaps in the field and looked rock solid. They built a partnership of 67 which secured the 7 wicket win. Geordie ended on an unbeaten 13 and Will hit another superb unbeaten 50, finishing on 54 not out.
On the back of such a successful day at the Glenalmlond 6s on Sunday, today the team once again showed what a talented and determined unit they are. Next week we welcome Ardvreck to St. Mary’s for our first home game of the season. One thing’s for sure, I will not miss that Edinburgh bypass!
Mr P.
IPP/jb