Guthrie Park XI, 12th August 2012

St Andrews University Staff 121-8 (45 overs) beat Guthrie Park 85 a/o (43.5 overs) by 36 runs.
(D. Bransden 47) (P. Jess 2-11, P. Pass 2-13, A. Stewart 2-26)

St Andrews stay at the top of the league continued for another week after a convincing win away in Brechin.

After losing the toss, St Andrews were put in to bat on what was clearly not going to be a high scoring pitch. Dom and Dave opened together again and set about putting on a gritty 50 partnership for the first wicket in tough conditions. With many balls keeping low, and the occasional one lifting, scoring was not easy but with Dom keeping singles ticking over as Dave provided stout resistance the scoreboard never stalled. Eventually Dave fell in the 20th over attempting to hit through the infield and being caught for 10. Stan fell soon after, walking after glancing one to the wicketkeeper before Francis was clean bowled 2 balls later to leave the score at 59-3.

With Trip looking in good form and running some quick singles the score advanced to 75 before he was bowled by an excellent delivery for 10, with Helen falling soon after to the same bowler. Josh provided some excellent attacking shots before going for one too many to become the 3rd batsman falling for 10 as the innings reached 96-6. All through this Dom played the anchor innings, manouvering the ball around to keep singles coming before falling in the 39th over, stumped for 47. Pat continued his recent solid batting form on his way to an unbeaten 11, with Phil and Angus providing support, as the total score reached what looked to be a very good 121.

In response Dave and Angus bowled excellent opening spells to put the Guthrie reply on the back foot immediately. Angus clean bowling the first opener, before winning an LBW against the dangerous Galt. In between Dave earned an LBW of his own in a spell of 6 overs for just 3 runs - only one of which came off the bat. Phil and Stan provided no let-up in the quality of the attack as no batsman was able to score freely and no partnerships allowed to form. With Phil taking two wickets clean bowled, Stan removed the solid looking Carnegie to a return catch to leave the score at 47-6 and St Andrews closing in on victory.

A brief flurry followed as Clark was dropped off Stan attempting to move the score along as the 8th wicket put on 19 - the second biggest partnership of the match. Stan was to have his revenge however, taking a fine catch at midwicket to give Pat his second wicket of a tight spell.

It was left to Baggers and Francis to finish the innings off, both bowling with pace and swing far too good for the last batsmen as they finished with a wicket each as the number of batsmen bowled in the match finished at 10, and Guthrie Park finished all out for 85.

Another good victory, based for once on a gritty batting performance backed up by the excellence in depth of the St Andrews bowling unit.

- Dominic Bransden