Arrowdawn Gordonians XI, 21^st August 2011

University of St Andrews Staff 196 a/o (39.2 overs) lost to Arrowdawn Gordonians XI 205 a/o (36.4 overs) by 9 runs
(D. Miller 44, U Pathania 43) (P. Jess 3-28, A. Stewart 2-27)

St Andrews made the long journey to Aberdeen to take on a strong Gordonians side in a tight, but ultimately disappointing encounter.

After an all important pitstop at Burger King on the way, the intrepid travellers found a less than salubruous surround to their efforts to extend the unbeaten run. Having won the toss Dominic elected to bowl first and Angus made a quick breakthrough - the Gordonians opener attempting to loft a drive over the infield but finding the safe hands of Pat to depart for a duck. Soon after the other opener appeared to nick a delivery off Dave that was safely pouched by Dom. That the appeal was turned down was made even worse by the umpire then signalling a wide.

The surviving opener and his fellow 1st team player, two of a clutch drafted in by Gordonians, then set about trying reach a huge total by attempting to hit every ball to the boundary, helped by a short outfield and one very short boundary. Angus managed to keep respectable figures, despite being swept for 6, and bowled a 6 over spell for 27 runs. The last ball of his spell resulted in the important wicket of Yathagoda, Uday taking a catch at cover to leave them 60 for 2 off 10 overs.

Phil chipped in with a wicket with an excellent swinging delivery edged straight to Stan at slip, before Uday and Stan began wheeling away with spin. Stan proved more expensive than usual but ended up with 2 wickets courtesy of catches by Dom and Phil. At the other end Uday bowled with usual parsimony and provided a major breakthrough by having the dangerous Borstlap stumped by Dom - both Stan and Uday were unlucky to have had previous stumpings turned down.

With the Gordonians tail showing strength in depth, and keeping up the quick scoring, Pat came back after an expensive first over to finish with excellent figures of 3 for 28 - including clean bowling the 1st XI captain. Baggers then got his all important 1st wicket of the season, causing a miscue to the safe hands of James at backward point.

Chasing 206 to win, Dave started the innings in excellent fashion as he showed some destructive batting - 6 fours and 1 straight 6 on his way to 44 off just 46 balls. With able support from Dominic Coates at the other end, St Andrews reached 64 in 10 overs. Unfortunately Dave was undone by the slowness of the offspinner and was stumped to end his fine innings. With Dominic falling 4 runs later to a very good left-arm seamer, Stan and Dom set about whittling the target down with some good running and occasional boundary hitting as they put on 49. With Stan being the beneficiary of a controversial 'not-out' after edging behind the stage looked set for a good win with 90 runs needed off the last 15 overs. Sadly the next ball Stan undermined his good fortune by hoicking one straight up in the air to be easily caught.

There began a collapse of 5 wickets for 25 runs as we began to fall further behind the rate - Dom and Phil bowled, whilst James and Howard holed out to catches to leave us at 142 for 7. Uday and Pat then joined in their second partnership in 2 weeks, following from their efforts against Falkland. With Uday hitting boundaries, Pat helped manouvere the strike whilst smoting some 2s and a fine boundary of his own. With 22 needed off 2 overs, Uday was run out attempting another quick single, and 5 runs later Pat was bowled for an excellent 13. With Angus hitting a 4 off the 1st ball of the last over, just 10 more were needed to win with Baggers poised to take the glory. Sadly Angus denied him by misjudging his attempted edge for 4 straight into the 'keeper's gloves.

Some excellent performances in difficult circumstances, with a win to continue our unbeaten season finishing just beyond our grasp. The Gordonians added strength from their usual 3rd Division team proved the difference in the end.

- Dominic Bransden