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StAUSCC (187 a.o., S. Frankland 99 n.o., K. Ross 5/25) beat Carnegie (128 a.o., D. Mitchell 38, C. Oberoi 6/12) by 59 runs After a couple of false starts this year we finally got into winning ways with a satisfying victory over new opponents, Carnegie from Dunfermline. A rather fraught half hour preceded the game as we removed the detritus from the Rugby 7’s event (including a gazebo at mid on!) but Dave and Matt opened the batting with confidence, taking advantage of a good wicket. Matt fell for 12 and Dave played well for his 15 until falling to the brisk opening bowler’s slower ball. Stan and Tom then set about the change bowlers, scoring confidently with the odd flourish. Although looking well set, Tom contrived to clip one to mid on, ushering in Prasanna who played with increasing confidence for 15 before falling lbw. All the while Stan was looking in fine form, passing 50 and accelerating as a succession of partners found new and exciting ways of getting out, imploding towards the end as the returning opening bowler took a hat trick to leave Stan stranded on 99. Oops. A total of 187 looked healthy enough but with 5 overs unused at the end we should have passed 200 so the bowling and fielding needed to be tight. After initial creakiness, Matt and Prasanna hit line and length and gave away few loose deliveries, Matt unlucky to finish his spell wicketless but Prasanna capping a fine performance with 5-1-13-1, courtesy of a decent catch from Patrick. Carnegie continued to make their required run rate yet looked anxious to press on regardless and some tight bowling from Patrick and Alex was finally rewarded when the latter disposed of both numbers 1 and 3 with a neat C&B and a fine catch by Stan at point. Our out-fielding had been generally tight, with Sazzad on debut particularly energetic and Phil chasing well, culminating in a clinical run out by Tom whose accurate throw allowed Dave to run out their last recognised batsman. This all set up the grand finale as Chetan came on to bowl his first spell not just for us but in any organised cricket. His figures of 4-1-12-6 perhaps rank as the best rookie spell ever – certainly the highest wicket tally for StAUSCC for many a year! The virtues of bowling full and straight at a succession of middle/tail enders were firmly displayed, only requiring the assistance of a smart catch by Prasanna to complete his haul. A good performance played against friendly opponents on a hot, sunny April day - fingers crossed for more of the same this season.
- Patrick Jess