St Andrews University Staff Cricket Club

Match Reports 2006

Sunday 27th August, Meigle (H)
St Andrews 184/5; Meigle 148/7; St Andrews won by 36 runs.

Having come through the journey unscathed, despite Sam's best efforts to drive through the bushes outside the Gateway Centre, we were greeted by a generally youthful Meigle side whose Captain lost the toss, allowing a relieved Stan to opt to bat first on a well worn pitch. The scene was set for Angus Stewart and Cam Hall to reprise their excellent opening partnership of the previous day, all going well until Angus chipped one to backward point in the 8th over, having survived an excellent probing spell from F. Cox, an impressive member of Scotland's youth development squad. Still creaking from Saturday's exertions, Cap'n Stan joined the untroubled Cam to put together a fine partnership of 87, featuring sweetly timed strokes from both players. Having offered a couple of chances, Stan eventually fell in the last over of Dickson's expensive spell, leaving Cam to press on with Mark Harris, Sam Moss and Phil Jess. Our doughty Australian progressed through the big numbers, eager to push the Club onto its first score of 200 in the season. In the event, that target was beyond us but he brought up an excellent, unbeaten 107, his second century of the season, impressive in its character and range of shots.

Our total of 184 for 5 was useful but not insurmountable and after an excellent tea, Cap'n Stan exhorted the bowlers to take early wickets in order to expose the rather callow opposition line up. Phil and Angus commenced proceedings once more and Angus's careful mixture of good balls and wides confused Morton into edging one to Mark Harris behind the stumps in the first over. This excellent start was reinforced when Angus' third over provided a sharp chance for Cam who took a magnificent tumbling catch at slip to dismiss Mitchell for 1. Phil's fine opening spell was rewarded with the wicket of Clark and smart work in the outfield limited Meigle's scoring opportunities, our welcome guests Derek, Phil and Bob Woollins proving very reliable in a variety of crucial fielding positions. Sam Moss came on early to restrict the batsmen with his trusty brand of quick, accurate off spin and in tandem with the skipper, they wheeled away for many a merry over, Sam presenting Cam with another catch, this time Gilmore for 26. Sam's next ball was a beauty which bowled Stewart and although the hat trick ball was denied, Stan soon entered into the spirit by having Dickson caught behind - Mark's third victim of the day. With two of the younger opponents at the crease, thoughts drifted to an early victory but an excellent partnership between Walton and Cox proved hard to shift and none of the slower bowlers could break through despite plenty of half chances not quite sticking. Stan finally bowled the plucky 12 year old Walton for an excellent, if fortuitous, 33 and Meigle were well adrift in the run rate, Patrick closing off any chance of a late burst with a spell of 3 maidens in 4 overs. With the target mathematically out of sight, Phil and Bob Woollins were brought on for an over each at the end, with Derek dropping a sitter off his eldest son!