Clackmannan County XI, 17th June 2012

University of St Andrews Staff 60-3 (15.1 overs) beat Clackmann County 58 a/o (21 overs) by 7 wickets
(S. Frankland 40*) (D. Miller 4-11, A. Stewart 4-14)

Despite initial cynicism over a game going ahead given the Scottish monsoon season, St Andrews travelled to Alloa to face a Clackmann County team who the week before has racked up close to 300 in their game against Strathmore.

With the game to take place on an artificial wicket, Clackmannan won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. There followed an astonishing passage of play as Angus and Dave reduced the opposition to 7-8 after 8 overs, with 4 wickets to each bowler. With the pitch providing good bounce off a length the first two wickets went down to catches behind, Trideep making no mistake. Some irresponsible batting followed as catches were given off attacking shots to Rafnas and Pat at mid-on and mid-off, with Henry also taking a good catch off a thick edge to point. With Angus then removing the remaining opener the possibility of bowling a team out in single figures became realistic.

Clackmannan's last pair however put on a scarcely believable 50 partnership, batting in vastly contrasting fashion. With Kay holding up an end, Ali swung merrily and frequently, with early aerial mishits just dropping into gaps and evading fielders. The fielding then began to get ragged as numerous chances were put down off Ali, including off consecutive balls from Ben who had replaced Dave. With tempers amongst fielders beginning to fray as the partnership grew, it was finally Rafnas who wrapped up the innings in his second over, taking the outside edge with an excellent delivery to give Trideep his 4th catch of the innings. The contribution of the last pair took the score to 58, with Ali finishing unbeaten on 44.

In reply Ben, in his last game before graduating, opened with Trideep and both looked untroubled before Trideep cut one straight to gully who took a sharp chance. Soon after came a moment of controversy as the Clackmannan captain was convinced Stan had edged behind but, with batsman and Umpire unmoved, Stan was free to carry on. Ben then fell to an excellent catch at straight mid-off, with Tom following clean bowled for a duck to leave the score at 20-3 and Clackmann beginning to scent an unlikely victory. Stan soon put paid to that as he began to move through the gears with some excellent shots, with Henry supporting him well as the victory line rushed into sight in a flurry of runs. Fittingly a final boundary from Stan sealing the win.

A convincing victory against a team tipped for the title, based on excellent spells from Dave and Angus, the only disappointment being the fielding in allowing the final wicket to add 50 runs.

- Dominic Bransden