1stXI beat Strathallan

Strathallan 76 all out (18 overs)

Cargilfield 1^stXI 79-4 (12 overs)

Cargilfield win by 6 wickets

The sun has continued to shine and it has been a busy week of cricket with the Super 8s at Merchiston last Sunday, U15 Schools’ Cup game on Tuesday, Strathallan today, then Dollar on Saturday and the Glenalmond 6s on Sunday. The boys will be feeling like professional cricketers by the time Sunday night comes round!

So we welcomed Strathallan to Cargilfiled on what was another gloriously sunny afternoon, albeit with a gentle refreshing breeze. Having lost to them at hockey a couple of times last term, we knew they had a couple of athletes in their team although perhaps lacking a little in cricketing experience, and we would need to hit our straps and build on the excellent performance against Merchi U15s yesterday. We made a change with Monty coming in to the side, and he was certainly keen to make his mark and nail down a spot in the team.

Unfortunately, we lost the toss and Strathallan elected to bat. Edward and Jamie opened the bowling and the Strath batsmen found it difficult to score any runs apart from byes. It was difficult afternoon for Jack behind the stumps, but he is working hard and is having to keep to some pretty fast bowling which is not easy. Jamie picked up two wickets in his hostile 3 over spell, and then Jamie Mack and Miguel both bowled an excellent line and length, picking up a wicket apiece which then brought on Oliver, our leg spinner, and today he bowled a terrific spell of 3-0-6-4. The Strath batters were all at sea and there were a couple of good catches as well as a few put down, and one or two not even attempted – we really must sprint in and have a go, rather than watching it bounce a yard in front of you…….! James S took the pick of the catches, holding on to a sharp chance at gulley which brought the innings to an end with the total on 76, all out at the end of the 18^th over. We used 8 bowlers again and it is so good to see us bowling in that corridor of uncertainty outside off stump time after time, where batsmen struggle to score.

After a delicious tea, it was our turn to bat and James and Monty opened. In the first over James played right across a straight one from their pacey opening bowler and was bowled, then Hamish never moved his feet and was also bowled. 8 for 2 at the end of the first over which was not ideal! That brought in Edward to join Monty and together they put on a partnership of 60 runs which was hugely entertaining to watch – Monty scored 46 and was ruthless on anything short, clubbing the ball to the legside boundary time and time again. It was a terrific knock and he deserved to get to 50, but sadly, he hit one too many and skied it to backward point. Very well batted, young man! We only needed 9 to win, but the opening bowlers came back on and cleaned up Lochy first ball and Arlo quickly followed, and it was left to Miguel to time the ball beautifully through the covers a couple of times in the 12^th over and the game was done.

So a comfortable win, and it was an excellent team performance. Yes, Strahallan lacked a lot of depth but it was an opportunity today for others to shine and make their mark and contribute to the team effort. Cricket is one of those games when sometimes you feel you have not contributed, but I try hard to make sure that everyone gets a chance and the key thing is to grab it with both hands when it comes. This is what Monty did today, and it was a pleasure to see him score runs and with a huge smile on his face, and to see his team mates so pleased for him. Team sports are special.

Well played, gents.