2^nd XI vs Dollar

Cargilfield won by 15 runs

The 2^nd XI travelled to Dollar on Saturday with only nine players but with the prospect of beautiful sunshine and one of the most attractive settings for cricket in Scotland.

Pairs cricket was something that the boys hadn’t encountered this season but a change of routine can often be extremely helpful. This match was an opportunity to work on fielding and aggressive running between the wickets. Indeed, adapting to new formats is often the mark of an effective games player.

Cargilfield fielded first and adapted well to bowling good line and length with a different ball. We were energetic in the field with Timothy encouraging the team from behind the stumps (also taking a couple of catches off fine nicks) and Salman setting a fantastic example with athletic efforts on the boundary and taking a very good running catch.

Blake and Honour, two of our fast bowling stars, had to adapt to these new bowling conditions but their good balls were especially effective. James, captaining the team for the second time in a week, experimented with leg break deliveries and managed to exact some turn because of his writs action. Indeed, the slower deliveries with air allowed him to take a fine catch off his own bowling. A four over spell delivered by Monty, Salman, James and Honour brought seven wickets and turned the match in Cargilfield’s favour.

All the batting pairs contributed effectively to our win. James and Theo’s gung-ho approach to quick singles could have been dangerous but also revealed the opportunities in this form of cricket. Monty and Bertie were the most effective batting pair with Bertie scoring a series of powerful boundaries.

A super win and a wonderful atmosphere in which team spirit continues to come to the fore: this is a super team with which to be involved.