Rossie Priory XI, 22nd July 2012

University of St Andrews Staff 85 all out (45 overs) lost to Rossie Priory 86-6 (39.3) by 4 wickets
(D. Bransden 16) (D. Miller 2-16, A. Davies 2-18, S. Frankland 2-25)

St Andrews got back into league action on Sunday with a disappointing loss to Rossie Priory.

Having lost an important toss St Andrews were asked to bat first, and were soon in trouble as the top three batsmen were removed for 1 run between them by the Rossie left-arm opening bowler. When the 4th wicket went down in the 11th over the score was 22-4 and consolidation needed. Dominic and Henry managed to survive until the drinks break taking the score to 46 and providing a solid base for the second half of the innings. Unfortunately soon after Henry fell to a mistimed drive to end the partnership at 27 and begin a mini collapse of 3 wickets in 4 overs. Dominic contrived to hit a full-toss to mid-on off a leading edge to end his vigil at 16, before Josh was caught close in to leave the score at 52-6 with 18 overs still remaining.

Some remarkable obduracy from the lower order ensured St Andrews managed to bat the full overs and gain another batting point. Notably Pat and Alyn survived for 11 overs in adding 18 - with Alyn providing the only boundary of the innings. With Angus being bowled off the last ball of the innings St Andrews had managed to scrape their way to 85, with generous assistance from extras - probably around 20 runs short of a competitive score.

With a good response needed Angus and Dave bowled extremely tightly, Angus frequently beating the outside edge. Then in the 8th over, Dave nipped one back to bowl the opener, before taking the second wicket 2 balls later with Josh taking a simple catch off a leading edge to leave Rossie at 5-2. Angus and Dave both bowled their 9 over spells straight through but without further reward - Rossie making it to 29-2 after 18 overs.

With wickets needed Stan was brought on but his first over was swiped for 14, with further indignity caused with a dropped catch off the last ball of the over. However, Stan was kept on and in his second over took revenge with 2 wickets, Trideep taking a simple catch off a top-edged sweep and the second victim being clean bowled.

With St Andrews then bowling 5 maidens in succession from Stan and Josh, the Rossie Priory innings stalled as 13 runs were added in the next 12 overs. Alyn replaced Josh and took a wicket with his third ball, a leading edge looping up to Dom who had just moved into short midwicket. The remaining opener now decided to try and hit his way to victory, hitting Alyn for 6 over mid-off before Josh took a sharp catch at short extra cover to leave Rossie and 69-6 and St Andrews scenting a chance. However, the no. 7 and 8 batsmen rode their luck in hitting out, with chances falling just out of reach of fielders, and made their way to the winning line in the 40th over with no further wickets falling.

With not enough runs on the board due to the collective batting failure it was a good bowling performance to keep the game close, unfortunately some dropped catches and chances not going to hand meant in the end we weren't able to battle our way to victory and as a result remain second in the league table.

- Dominic Bransden