Dundee University Staff (Away) 20 Overs

Fauldhouse CC 128-8 in 45 overs. S. Frankland 9-2-21-2 C. Jackman 8-0-26-2

St Andrews USCC 121 a.o. S. Frankland 44 C. Jackman 22

So near but yet so far. Having made the long journey down to Fauldhouse we restricted the home team to 128 off 45 overs on a damp, muddy pitch but were unable to make use of a long batting order, falling 7 runs short in the end.

Damp, muggy conditions at the start made it a good toss to lose, with Mudi and Jackass using the conditions well to bowl accurate, tidy spells, with Mudi opening with 6-4-5-0. A sodden outfield limited the value of the few blows Fauldhouse put past the fielders, forcing injudicious shots from both openers - Roy and Aman taking excellent catches to reduce the opposition to 43-2 in the 16th over. The umpires were making it clear that LBW was not in their version of the rulebook with Mudi and Dave Miller being exceptionally unlucky on several occasions, although Stan found the trick by getting one plumb decision in his 9 over spell, taking a second wicket via a magnificant catch from John Gilmore. Top ground fielding contiuned and forced Fauldhouse to resort to scrambled singles, leading to one run out and several nervous moments in the field. A late cameo from N. MacDonald who top scored with 33 dragged the opposition past 100 as Aman, Jackass and Mudi continued to pressurise the bastmen.

The sky had cleared somewhat in time for our innings but the pitch remained stodgy and slow, making timing very tricky. Accurate bowling kept our run rate down to 2 or 3 an over - adequate to win if we batted through but never enough to panic our opponents. Roy and Mudi were unable to get any momentum at the start, despite some good shots and once Fergus was caught behind off a beauty we were slightly behind Fauldhouse in the run rate and a wicket worse off at 39-3 in the 16th over. As ever, Cap'n Stan was providing the bedrock of the innings, looking untroubled in a good partnership with Jackass and hitting one huge six which forced the field back. Looking well set on 44, the pressure eventually told and Stan departed, leaving 50 to make from 20 overs with plenty of batting left in the lower middle order. Unfortunately, the best laid plans etc etc and despite playing themselves in nicely, Aman and Dave Miller were both caught cheaply, John Gilmore was run out without facing whilst Andy Vivian was unlucky to be bowled by a beauty, first ball. Hope remaind whilst Jackass was still standing (although only just, given his monumental hangover) and Phil played an excellent innings, driving well to make 13 before being narrowly run out as the scoreboard pressure forced the assembled company to demand aggressive running. Although the run rate required was still only 4 an over, the Fauldhouse bowlers refused to give anything away and Jackass was forced into a wild swing, last man out with the target and agonising 8 runs away.

Still, an impressive bowling performance and a lesson in playing on sticky wickets for all of us. Hopefully we will be spurred on to greater things for the Ferrier Cup game on Wednesday.