Clackmannan County XI, 2nd September 2012

St Andrews University Staff 71-3 (28 overs) beat Clackmannan County XI 70 a/o (26.2 overs) by 7 wickets
(R. McLennan 30*) (P.Pass 3-23, S. Frankland 2-0, B. Hildred 2-13)

St Andrews avoided any last-day of the season drama by easing past Clackmannan to clinch the league title in fine style, and with room to spare from Strathmore and Arbroath in the table.

Dom won the toss and elected to bowl first on a green pitch with a touch of moisture. Dave and Alyn opened with economical and threatening spells, and by the fourth over had a wicket each - Alyn causing the batsmen to slice to Henry at point, Dave clean bowling Mehboob with an inswinger that left Clackmann at 7 for 2.

The 3rd wicket then put on an annoying, and at times fortuitous partnership of 30, the number 4 batsman in particular looking as if he could get out at any point. However, it took the change bowling partnership of Phil and Ben to carve into the middle order. First Phil induced a thin nick safely pouched by Trideep, before the Clackmann captain tried to take Ben on and only succeeded in hitting one high into the air for Henry to take the catch running back.

The lower order never looked likely to bat for time and swung aggressively almost every ball, occasionally making contact including smashing Phil for a big six. The fielding began to get sloppy as Ross, Alyn and Stan all dropped catches of various difficulties. Ross, however, made up for his fumble by taking the next two catches as Phil and Ben both got their second wickets. Phil went on to remove Alamgir, who top-scored with 19,to finish an excellent spell with 3 wickets. That wicket also meant St Andrews were guaranteed to win the league regardless of the result.

With the score at 66 for 7, Pat and Stan were bought on to wrap up the tail - Pat courtesy of a fine catch by Trideep, Stan taking two catches off his own bowling in two balls to finish off the innings.

After foregoing tea for a quick turnaround, Ross and Dom got off to another comfortable start, before getting bogged down on the same score for 4 overs as Clackmann bowled tidily to a very tight field. Dom was eventually bowled for 13 playing back to a full ball to break the opening partnership at 23. Stan contributed a quick seven before being bowled round his legs, before Henry carried on his trend off getting out straight after a drinks break falling to a very good catch at mid-on. With Ross progressing along at the other end the score had reached 50-3 and Trip came in to help move towards the winning target as the Clackmann spinners were scored off with ease. With no further alarms Ross hit the winning runs to finish on 30 not out.

Another convincing victory to seal the league title in style, and perhaps more impressively in front of a record home crowd of three...Many celebratory drinks were partaken in the Whey Pat afterwards as St Andrews toasted another excellent league season.