Strathmore XI, 19th April 2012

University of St Andrews Staff 120-3 (25.3 overs) beat Strathmore XI116-7 (45 overs) by 7 wickets
(T. Roy 40) (J. McDougall-Bagnall 2-19, P. Jess 2-25)

St Andrews University Staff got their inaugural campaign in the Strathmore and Perthshire Second Division off to a winning start on Sunday in some particularly cold weather.

After successfully winning the toss and asking the opposition to bat, St Andrews made a good start as Phil and Angus bowled tight opening spells with a wicket apiece - Phil taking the first league wicket of the season thanks to a sharply taken catch at square-leg by Baggers, Angus bowling the other opener off an inside edge. Both were unlucky not to take further wickets, particularly with Angus having a simple chance dropped at slip by Dominic.

The third wicket partnership threatened briefly before Patrick chipped in with two wickets, including a caught and bowled juggled off most parts of his body, as well as inducing a number of chances off edges. With Dave bowling extremely economically from the other end it soon became a war of attrition as Strathmore attempted to eke their way to any sort of score.

Baggers then came on and, after an 11 ball over to start, bowled a fine spell of 6 overs, picking up 2 wickets as due reward. From the other end Harish contributed with a wicket of his own as we took Strathmore's 7th wicket by the 36th over. The remainder of the innings was remarkable only for the absence of any real action as Strathmore lacked any urgency to push for further runs and all our bowlers kept the pressure on with some accurate overs.

n response Trideep and Dave put together an excellent opening stand of 68 at around 5 an over to knock off the majority of the runs needed. Trideep in particular started off aggressively before Dave joined, in hitting a big 6 to kick start his innings. Unfortunately Dave fell for 27 mistiming a sweep shot to the field, and Trideep followed soon after clean bowled for 40. With Henry's stay at the crease cut short by a run out for which Tom later apologised, St Andrews were suffering a mini-wobble at 86 for 3. However, Tom and Dom knocked off the remainder off the runs with few worries, Tom hitting 4 boundaries in his unbeaten 25 off just 22 balls.

A satisfying win to start the season but there will no doubt be tougher games ahead. Our ground fielding and throwing at the stumps could improve, and we could do with cutting down on the extras given away - let's hope the early season rustiness is to blame.

- Dominic Bransden