St Andrews University Staff Cricket Club

Match Reports 2006

This weekend the Staff hosted a touring team, originating from London, whose Bank Holiday peregrinations were to encompass Elie and a trip to Edinburgh. In contrast to recent times, we were able to present them with a reasonably true and well mown pitch - disappointingly on the Second square but beggars can't be choosers! The usual end of term scramble for a few extra bodies produced a debut for Arif, a seasonal bow for Max McElligot and an appearance from the Spin King from Over the Water, Willie Anderson, erstwhile of Dundee Uni Staff and Largo!

With the visitors taking first use of a good pitch, the bowlers had to be on their mettle to keep control. A testing but unrewarded spell by Angus Stewart and Phil Jess was followed by youth and enthusiasm in the shape of Francis Dilley and Max McElligot, whose varied bowling produced a wicket apiece. The Gardening opener was well bowled by Max and the economical Francis induced a nick to Cap'n Stan behind the stumps from one of his occasional length balls. Alex Smith came on and had the No. 4 batsman in all sorts of trouble for a while and then Sam Moss brought the downfall of the other opener, well caught by Stan, followed immediately by the confused No. 5 batsman who was comprehensively bowled. Good bowling was restricting the Gardeners to a reasonable total to that point with Patrick Jess coming on to remove the No. 6 batsman aided by a good catch from Sam. However a combination of big hitting and aggressive running brought the score towards 200 and although the reintroduction of Phil and Angus produced two deserving wickets for the latter, the more agricultural Gardeners slogged their way to 215 for 7, an impressive total with the greatest contribution coming from Crowther's fortune packed 59. None of the main bowlers were badly collared at any stage and the fielding held up well throughout, with Arif making an excellent contribution saving runs on the leg side and Francis unlucky to parry a couple of smashed half chances which none of the rest of us would have reached!

A stiff target, some way in advance of our highest batting total of the season, was nevertheless achievable and Cam Hall set out with positive intent, accompanied by yet another opening partner in the form of Angus. The Gardeners bowling was accurate and frequently tested the patience of both openers who were forced to feed off occasional scraps for the first spell. Cam was just looking well set on 21 when Thomas sneaked one through him, bringing Cap'n Stan to the crease, aware that the batting to come was limited, to say the least. He and Angus put together an excellent partnership of nearly 100 (history does not precisely record) which gave us some hope of approaching the target. However, Angus ran himself out on a personal landmark of 46, trying to force the pace of the game and soon afterwards, Johnstone bowled Sam with the last ball of his 9th over. Arif bludgeoned one excellent 4 before succumbing to another run out in Stan's company, before the skipper finally fell to the first ball of the returning opener, Le Bon (whose name wasn't Rio, nor indeed Simon) and with his departure for an excellent knock of 59, the game looked up. Francis and Max biffed a few late runs, with Francis looking in fine form with one sumptuous drive for four but with the 40th over complete, St Andrews were some way short on 184 for 6. Nevertheless, it was a valiant chase and the game was played in an excellent spirit against a side who we hope to see again in the future.