Cargilfield 1stXI beat Merchiston by 26 runs
Cargilfield
177 – 5 (25 overs) (C Admas 86, L O-Cochrane 37)
Merchiston
151 – 9 (C Bremner 4-1-14-2, A Clayton 4-1-8-2)
The result looks closer that it was in reality as once again a dominant batting performance left Merchiston unable to keep up with the rate and we always chasing the game on what was a cold and drizzly Saturday afternoon on the occasion of our first home 1stXI game since June 2019.
We batted first in what was a 25 over game and with a few changes since Wednesday’s win over GWC due to weekend commitments, it was Leo and Alexander who opened the innings under overcast and pretty miserable conditions. Merchiston had a good bowling attack but I was impressed at the careful way the openers batted, running well between the wickets and Alexander was timing the ball well through the off side scoring 11 in the opening partnership of 22 before he fell in the 4th over which brought Cody in to the middle, fresh from scoring a half century on Wednesday. Together, he and Leo batted really intelligently and in 14 overs, they put on 90 runs without once giving a chance: I was so impressed with the sensible and watchful innings that Leo played, getting forward and scoring 13 singles in his 37 which was terrific to see. He visibly grew in confidence as each over past and showed just how far his cricket has improved since September when he had not picked up a bat! Well batted, and it was a proper innings against a proper bowling attack. Cody is clearly in very good nick at the moment, and he played wonderfully well for his 86 this afternoon and really deserved a 100: as on Wednesday, he began patiently and watchfully, showing lots of respect for the accurate Merchiston bowlers, scoring singles and running well between the wickets but then he has very quick to punish anything short of a length and took a particular liking to the two spinners, coming down the wicket and timing the ball beautifully through the mid wicket area. It was an excellent display of batting at this level and when he eventually fell with four overs left with the score on 167, he had made sure that we had a match winning score on the board. 177 would take some chasing.
It was pretty miserable when we came to bowl to be honest which perhaps explains a somewhat below par performance in the field and from one or two of the bowlers; added to this, Cody had to leave after 10 overs which meant James took over the gloves and we were a man down in the field. However, one or two of the bowlers made life pretty hard for James and 27 byes and 18 wides tells its own story; in fact, extras was 57 and top scored for them and this is an aspect we must be better at…..hitting the top of off, backing up the throw and not giving away easy runs is something we can do much better at although I realise there were extenuating circumstances today given the inexperience of the keeper and the weather, but 18 wides is absolutely unforgivable and unacceptable whatever the weather…..!
Alexander was the pick of the bowlers today with 2 wickets in his spell, but Charles and Thomas also grabbed two apiece and Oliver and Charles effected two excellent run outs. Again, we used eight bowlers and I was pleased that everyone was able to contribute something with either the bat of the ball to the team effort this afternoon given it was a Saturday and it was also cold and wet so getting everyone involved was important. So lots of improvements to be made in the field this week as we head over to Loretto on Wednesday for our next game; we can and must do much better.
So overall, another win and another very strong display with the bat. It is great to see the boys working hard in the nets during the week and then showing real determination and application out in the middle…..I always say that that bad balls will always come along, but the key is having the patience to see off the good ones and then cash in which we certainly have done in our two matches this week!
Well done, boys, and we keep hoping for some sunshine!
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