Dundee University Staff (Away) 20 Overs

Fielding a team with a number of newcomers and absent 2 players at the last minute, St Andrews managed a very creditable performance against the Auld Enemy, losing by 7 runs in the late evening shadows. We bowled first on an interesting green wicket with plenty of bounce, Dave Miller taking an early wicket and tight bowling from Patrick restricting Dundee to a few streaky shots. Nick Owen and Andy Vivian bowled improving spells until we turned to the Czech Detroyer himself, Vit Matuska, whose double wicket maiden first up included the vital scalpt of John Pravin who had been bashing everyone else for boundaries! Tidy spells from Mike McEwan and Gregor Hall kept the score down until Dave and Patrick were able to close things off with 3 wickets in the last 2 overs, Gregor closing the innings with an excellent catch in blustery conditions.

Dundee's 114 was not a huge target but with the strong crosswind inducing extensive lateral movement, the few batsmen we had in the team had to take care. Deepak Govinda had 'kept tidily on debut but was unlucky to succumb lbw before he got started and Ewan's nick to the keeper brought in Dave to join Andy, needing to hold things together. They managed an excellent partnership of 63 until Dave was caught behind trying to accelerate in the 17th over. Still needing an achievable 21 off 3 overs, our less experienced batsmen were unable to attack some disciplined death bowling from the Dundee Captain whose 3 wickets in 3 overs made the last over assault largely academic. Andy Vivian carried his bat for a hard fought 29, including a couple of trademark cover drives and the team was indebted to Dave's well constructed score of 34 to ensure a close match. Adding to this season's list of bizarre dismissals, Mike managed to play onto his stumps, ducking into a (slowish) full toss and heading neatly onto the bails.

So, a disappointed defeat but not without positives in the bowling and fielding departments. One more batsman would probably have made the difference but such is life!