Kinloch, 27th April 2014
Kinloch 34/1 (11.5 overs) beat University of St Andrews Staff 33ao (25 overs) by 9 wickets
With the forecast firmly predicting rain in the week leading up to the game, waking up to cloudy
but dry skies was something of a surprise. Both teams duly arrived at the University grounds to
get the 2014 league season underway.
Having accepted promotion last year, it was expected that Division 1 would be a bit of a challenge,
especially after limited practice opportunities and with a few regulars having moved on. Unfortunately,
with some other stalwarts being unavailable for this match, it was a game to forget for St Andrews.
From the moment the opposition captain called correctly at the toss and elected to field first, St
Andrews looked up against things with the cloud aiding the moving ball and the damp pitch providing
its usual slightly unpredictable bounce.
Alyn and Dave took to the crease against some very accurate bowling from Kinloch's openers, Wig and
Mavia, who proved difficult to get away. Dave was first to fall, slapping a ball from Mavia to point
and Al fell in Mavia's next over (successive wicket maidens), leaving the score on 6-2 from 6 overs.
Two more maidens passed before Stan fell for a duck, caught at slip as Wig added a wicket maiden
himself. Next over saw Sam bowled by Mavia, revenge quickly exacted after being guided to the rope
for the only boundary of our innings two balls earlier. Graham and Ben tried to hit out to get some
runs on the board, but both lost their off-stumps in successive overs as Mavia finished with 7-4-8-4
and Bowman opened with (another) wicket maiden. Angus came and went in a flash, inside edging a drive
onto his pads and ultimately his stumps from new bowler Zeeshan (wicket maiden...) leaving the score
on 20-7.
A recovery (of sorts) was started as stand-in skipper Phil and debutant Andy took the score up to 31
with some patient and resolute defence and sensible running, before Phil was well caught at point off a
steepler just before drinks for the top score of 10. Neither Jon or Anindya troubled the scorers too much
(for variety, a double-wicket maiden), both recording ducks, leaving Andy on 3 not out and St Andrews
licking their wounds, hustled out for 33 in just 25 overs.
Opting to turn-round straight away and get the pain over with, St Andrews took to the field to try and
get some points out of the game by taking a few wickets. Despite some good bowling and a spirited fielding
effort, Kinloch moved towards their target easily for the loss of just the one wicket - Al bowling the
opener with an excellent ball that just moved enough to beat the defensive stroke. The game won with a
pulled 6 off a (poor) short ball from Phil, it was time to shake hands and comfort ourselves in the
mountain of sandwiches waiting for us in the pavilion from the only-slightly-delayed tea.
A disappointing batting performance was (unsurprisingly) the key to the game and hopefully some of the
rustiness on show will fade over the coming weeks, but it was nice to be back out in league action and
things can only get better!
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