th June 2011

University of St Andrews Staff 257-8 (40 overs) beat Breadalbane 74 a/o (32 overs) by 183 runs
(D. Bransden 73. S. Frankland 54*) (P. Pass 3-23)

St Andrews continued their winning streak in the league on Sunday with a crushing victory away to Breadalbane in the picturesque Aberfeldy.

After losing the toss once again, St Andrews were put in on a low and slow pitch that had been well watered by the rains on Saturday, as well as a number of showers throughout the game. This slowness caused Dave to get a leading edge, looping the ball up to leave their wicket-keeper with a simple catch, and our first wicket down for just seven.

However, Dom and Stan steadied the ship and Stan then began to show signs of his imperious best with some powerful straight drives, taking three boundaries off one over, and a 6 into the trees, to get the scoreboard moving swiftly. Having reached a run-a-ball 50 Stan fell LBW soon after, ending a fine partnership of 110 in the 23rd over. With rapturous applause greeting Tom's single to get off the mark for the first time in 3 games, he and Dom put on a partnership of 51 in only 6 overs before Tom's eyes lit up at a short wide one and he edged behind for a catch.

Uday and Dom continued the quick scoring, with a partnership of 24 in 14 balls as part of the 88 runs that were plundered off the last 10 overs. Dom was eventually bowled for 73 by one that kept low but the lower order continued the assault, Uday being stumped after 47 off just 28 balls, and Ben finishing unbeaten off 18 as the innings closed on a daunting 257 for 8.

With Phil taking a wicket clean bowled in the first over, and Angus following suit with an LBW , Breadalbane were left teetering at 4 for 2. A partnership of 45 followed, but with the run-rate rapidly rising thanks to an excellent, if unrewarded, spell of tight bowling from Dave, the pressure soon told and Phil reaped the rewards as he took two further wickets as the batsmen went for ill-advised shots across the line.

Pat and James then ripped out the lower middle order as they took 2 wickets each in tight 4 over spells – Pat bowling full and straight to finish with 2 for 9, and James being the rare recipient of a catch from Phil to add to his own caught and bowled to finish with 2 for 7. After an over of guile from Tom it was left to Ben and Stan to improve their bowling averages, both finishing with 1 for 1 as Breadalbane folded to 74 all out off 32 overs, after having been 49 for 2.

Overall an excellent and clinical team performance played in a good atmosphere, and with some great hospitality from our opponents.

- Dominic Bransden