1stXI beat George Watson’s College by 97 runs

Cargilfield

135 – 2 (20 overs)

(C Adams 59no, J St Clair 24no)

George Watson’s College

38 all out (14.1 overs)

(C Glen 2-0-4-2, A Clayton 2-0-4-2)

After an excellent first outing over at Merchiston on Sunday in the freezing cold, when we beat the hosts and Sedbergh playing some really encouraging cricket at this early stage of the season, we headed over to George Watson’s for a 20 over game in what was a gloriously warm and sunny afternoon! Much more like cricket weather, it must be said!

We lost the toss and were put in to bat, and Thomas and Felix headed out to the middle. I was pleased with the way both looked to rotate the strike, playing carefully, treating each ball on its merit and picked up plenty of singles as their calling improved. Unfortunately, Thomas was run out in the 5^th over, having put on 24 for the first wicket: loud and clear calling is important, and something to learn from after two run outs in tow games! This brought Cody in to bat and both he and Felix batted with real confidence, pushing the score along, running popsitively and Felix hit a couple of fine shots to the boundary, picking up the length really well; unfortunately, he then chipped one to mid off but it was a promising innings of 19 and it was a shame he got out as he was just beginning to get going.

In terms of wickets, that was it, and for the remaining 12 overs, the skipper, James, and Cody put on an unbeaten 93 together, batting with real confidence, scoring lots of singles and waiting patiently for the bad ball to come along, which they did in the end. GWC had a useful bowling attack, and Cody’s first ten runs came in singles as he pushed the ball in to space and called well….that is the key about running well between the wickets, an early call and both batsmen need to be talking to each other all the time. He scored 21 singles in is excellent 59no and that tells its own story: patience, a willingness to keep the scoreboard moving and then cash in on anything wide which is exactly what he did and his first 50 for the 1stXI was well deserved. James also batted well, growing in confidence and he just needs to be a bit more patient, get his head down and not try to play the big shot too early in his innings, but a super knock to begin the season proper so well done. 135-2 would take some chasing!

In reply, we bowled and fielded really well, and we decided everyone would bowl two overs it being so early in the season and o9ur bowlers hit good lines and lengths and we well backed up by some sharp fielding. We effected three run outs (it could have been 4 or 5) and took a couple of good catches, but we bowled at the stumps, forcing the batsmen to play and I always say 98% of prep school cricketers are out bowled, so bowl straight, and today four of them got out bowled! Cameron and Alexander both picked up two wickets a piece as dismissed GWC for 38 in the 15^th over – a convincing and emphatic win, set up by some excellent batting which meant GWC would always struggle to keep up.

A super afternoon, the sun shone and the cricket was terrific too. Well played, boys!