Meigle XI, 4^th September 2011

University of St Andrews Staff 79-2 (20.2 overs) beat Meigle 78 a/o (26.4 overs) by 8 wickets
(D. Miller 35*) (S. Frankland 4-11)

St Andrews completed their league season on a sunny Sunday in Meigle with another convincing victory.

Having lost the toss and been asked to field first St Andrews opened the bowling with Dave and Phil. Phil made an early breakthrough with the younger Leese being too late on an attempted pull and Ryan Brown taking a comfortable catch on debut. The remaining Leese and Boyer then proceeded the put on a 47 run partnership in good time, riding their luck as shots just evaded the outfield and Dave's threatening 5 over spell somehow went unrewarded.

Uday then bowled a brief spell, giving up 6 runs in his 3 overs and creating a chance, unfortunately seeing a thick edge off Leese rebound off Dom's shoulder behind the stumps. From the other end Pat displayed a fine example of swing bowling, and made the important breakthrough as Graham took an excellent catch at gully to cap a fine fielding display on his first appearance for the club. In his next over Pat then clean bowled the Meigle number 4 to tip the balance of the game back toward St Andrews as drinks were taken at 73 for 3 off 20 overs, Pat finishing his 5 over spell with 2 wickets for 16 runs.

After drinks St Andrews turned the game completely with an extraordinary spell of wicket taking from the off-spin duo of Stan and Ryan. Initially it looked unpromising as Uday 'Udiddy' dropped a 'spinning dolly' off Stan whilst standing at slip. However, Ryan's first over finally got rid of Leese - after building pressure with a number of dot balls, Ryan tempted the batsman out of his crease and Dom completed a sharp stumping. The very next ball span past both batsman and 'keeper for a bye, but stunningly this was the last run Meigle were to score.

Stan benefited from some far better fielding than Uday's earlier effort thanks to a great catch by Abdul at midwicket off a full blooded swish. The last 4 batsman were then clean bowled, Ryan inducing one to play on, before Stan exploited some large gaps between bat and pad. In all the last 6 wickets fell in 35 balls for just 1 run, with 5 batsmen making ducks. Stan finished with 4 for 11, whilst Ryan took 2 wickets without giving away any runs in his 3 overs.

After a fine tea with some excellent cake was enjoyed, Dave and Dom strode out to begin the reply. Against some tight bowling a cautious start was made, not without some luck as both benefited from drops behind the stumps. With Dave playing some aggressive shots straight down the ground, including one into Dom's thigh, he kept the score ticking along as the pair reached 31 off 12 overs when the opening bowlers were taken off.

Dom then guided the second ball of the change bowling straight to gully to be on his way for 8. Stan's stay at the crease was uncharacteristically brief as he was soon clean bowled for just 1 to leave St Andrews at 33 for 2.

Tom then came in with an aggressive mind set and he and Dave swiftly advanced the score onwards, Tom sweeping two big 6s as he took a liking to some leg-spin. After Meigle dropped yet another catch, Tom spooning one up to midwicket that was grounded, the game finished soon after. Dave finished unbeaten on 35 and Tom on 24 as the pair put on 46 runs in a partnership of just 8 overs.

A satisfying way to end our debut season in the league in which only 12 points out of 300 were dropped. With runs, wickets and catches spread liberally around all those who played in the campaign it was an excellent team effort throughout.

- Dominic Bransden