Isle of Bute CC, 28^th August 2011

University of St Andrews Staff 61-4 (20.4 overs) beat Isle of Bute 60 a/o (30 overs) by wickets
(D. Miller18) (D. Miller 4-14, S. Fankland 3-2)

St Andrews welcomed the touring Isle of Bute side on a distinctly chilly and early Sunday in a break from our League campaign.

Upon winning the toss Dom chose to bowl first and was rewarded early on as Dave caused the opener to drive uppishly at one for the first of his 4 wickets, Pat pouching the catch with customary ease. Paul then took a sharp catch behind the stumps off a delivery with extra bounce, before Stan demonstrated a safe pair of hands to remove the 3rd wicket cutting straight to point. After such a fine spell of bowling , Dave took his 4th wicket with a not so good delivery - one that would have been called a wide but the batsman somehow made contact to hit it to Phil at cover who completed a good catch. With Phil bowling an excellent spell from the other end as well Bute were left struggling at 27 for 4 after 14 overs, Dave taking 4 for 14 off his spell of 7 overs, Phil ending somewhat unluckily with 0-12, an edge behind being dropped early on.

The change bowling of Pat and Uday provided no respite for Bute as they attempted to consolidate their innings - Uday taking 1 for 10 off 6 overs, Pat bowling economically to finish with 0-13 off his 6 overs as the innings stumbled to 50 for 5 off 26 overs.

Stan and Aidan came on to hoover up the last 4 wickets for 10 runs. Aiden was rewarded for his tight line as the batsman tried to swipe him over midwicket, Ian completing the catch off his son's bowling. Stan then smelt the blood of lower order batsmen and finished off the innings with a triple wicket maiden as the innings ended on 60.

After a quick turnaround a rejigged batting line-up were sent out to attack the total. Dave and Drew started confidently in putting on 28 for the first wicket, Dave being particularly severe on the change bowling as he hit consecutive boundaries.

However, a mini-collapse was to follow as Drew, Ian and Dave all fell with the score on 28. With Phil being dropped off his first ball further damage was luckily avoided. He and Aiden then inched their way towards the target, waiting for the loose balls to put away. After putting on 30, the highest partnership of the match, Aiden was caught behind for 11. With just 3 more needed for victory, Phil hit the winning runs to finish on a season high 12 not out as St Andrews ran out comfortable winners.

- Dominic Bransden