Dundee Uni. Staff, 19th May 2010

St AUSCC (89 for 2, D. Miller 47*, M. Dixon 1/15) beat Dundee Uni. Staff (86 a.o., S. Boarder 26, S. Frankland 6/13) by 8 wickets

Perhaps inspired by England’s recent Twenty20 triumph, St. Andrews achieved something often thought to be equally as unlikely: a second convincing victory in the space of a week, this time against Dundee University Staff. Inspired captaincy by Tom meant St. Andrews opened their bowling attack with the pace of Phil Pass and the flight and guile of Stan. Stan’s first wicket came courtesy of a good catch from Bev, with the second and third (to get a hat-trick) LBW’s; the final ball of the over saw a big heave from Dennis Petrie straight back to the bowler, where Stan parried it to Patrick Jess at mid-off for a smartly taken catch.

Tight bowling ensured the lid was kept on the run rate, with wickets falling at regular intervals. Patrick Jess took a couple in a miserly three over spell and Uday’s brand of quick offspin took the batsmen by surprise. Some big hitting from Scott looked like building a useful score until neatly bowled by Phil. Stan returned to take another couple of wickets, including a quick stumping by Patrick Smith (final figures for Stan: 6 for 13) and Bev finished off Dundee’s innings with a deserved wicket.

Chasing 89, St. Andrews started well. Despite some gasps and talk about edges off the useful opening bowlers, Petrie and Dixon, the run-rate edged above the 4½ required. Continuing his rich vein of form, Dave found gaps all around the field, leaving Dom and Tom to ably play the role of supporting batsman. Despite the encroaching darkness Uday and Dave saw St. Andrews home in the fifteenth over, with Dave finishing on 47n.o.

A fun evening played in good spirit by all has whetted the appetite for the hotly contested Ferrier Cup to be played next month.

- Lewis Dean