Not content with their Premier League victory over West on Saturday, Carlton put us to the sword again on Sunday, this time in the semi final of the U13 National Cup at Stirling. In similar damp conditions to Saturday. the Carlton boys batted first. After the first over Carlton were 8-2, thanks to West skipper Nitesh. Though Carlton continued to score at a brisk rate, West bowled and fielded superbly, dismissing the capital side for 94 wth overs left. Nitesh took 3 wickets with the Ewing boys, JR and Bobby, chipping in with two apiece. In reply, Andy Umeed and Nitesh set off at a brisk and confident rate, but the introduction of spin proved to be our downfall. Andy chipped tamely back to the bowler and JR was soon stumped. Regrettably, our lack of depth in batting, and our lack of experience against quality spin, was cruelly exposed and we stuttered to 70 all out, with wides our top scorer. A sad end to an exciting campaign but it’s always exciting to be part of Finals Day and our turn will come again. Thanks to all who travelled to Stirling to offer support and encouragement.
Archive for June, 2009
A Capital Disappointment
June 29, 2009It was somewhat unfortunate that 4 of the 5 Premiership fixtures on Saturday 27th June were scheduled in Edinburgh on a day when the capital was the wettest place in the country. Full credit then to six of the eight sides for wanting to play cricket and waiting till the rains relented mid afternoon, allowing three shortened matches to be completed – and each one a last over thriller. The exceptions to the “play the game” spirit were the “raining” champions, Grange and Clydesdale FCC (Former Cricket Club) who elected to preserve their percentages. This was to pay off for Grange who, by dint of their inactivity, leapfrogged the mighty McCrea FS West into 2nd place as our First XI just failed to defend 177 in 30 overs at Carlton.
After an early tea, play started at 4pm with West choosing to bat. Dougie L was in electrifying form from the start but gradually Gregg Watson got into his stride and the opening partnership was worth 81 in 14 overs before Carlton’s best bowler on the day, Ross Lyons removed Gregg. With damp ground conditions but an excellent track, everything favoured the batsmen and Dougie and the Pro added a brisk 50 before both fell in quick succession. Elly found Fraggle on the wide long on boundary and in the next over the erstwhile West star Stevie G took a blinding catch at ground level at backward point off Dougie’s full blooded square cut. The main man gone for 67! With two new batsmen at the crease West lost some impetus for a spell before a final acceleration took them to 177 for 5, a very defendable total if they could bowl and field to their abilities.
Unfortunately, only Cranny and Dutch bowled with any great control, with the Pirate leaking runs in his opening (and only) spell and the Pro looking strangely out of sorts. An early run out removed Barrett but Fraggle and Cedric English then added over 100 and built the platform that enabled Carlton to launch their winning charge. Both batted beautifully (if we ignore Cedric’s “Dilshan” attempt which he uppercut smack into his helmet) and a neutral would have thoroughly enjoyed watching this pair, and earlier Dougie, stroke and maneouvre the ball around the field. Surely still three of the best bats in the country. West’s fighting spirit is never in doubt these days and a little luck and a piece of brilliance finally removed the Carlton danger men. First Fraggle, having raced to 71, smacked Dutch’s cunning full toss straight to Gregg Watson on the boundary and shortly after, Cedric was run out at the bowler’s end as Dutch made a brilliant stop off his own bowling and threw himself into the stumps before the batsman could get back. Bulldog Drummond was promptly removed thanks to an astonishing diving catch by Gregg Watson skipping in from the mid wicket boundary, and suddenly the game was swinging back in West’s favour. The required run rate was increasing but instead of this phasing the home batsmen it was West who went to pieces as the ground fielding crumbled. Though boundaries were becoming scarce, scampering batsmen were turning ones into twos as West fumbled and groped around the damp outfield. It was certainly not easy fielding conditions but we should have done much better. 10 an over from the last 3 overs was the Carlton target and with the Pro to bowl two of those overs, West would have fancied their chances. However, with the assistance of some panicky fielding, Messrs Kerr and Gilmour took 10 off over 28. Despite Cranny removing Gilmour in his last over 12 runs were scored off the other 5 balls, leaving 8 required off the last over and new batsman Ross Lyons to face the Pro. The reinstated Saltire wasn’t going to hang about. Bang – 6, bang – 2. Game over. A terrific match to watch but a disappointing outcome for West as we have now lost three league matches, all of them close, where we’ve been in the game until almost the last and it’s been us that has folded, rather than the opposition.
Finally, from your temporary blogger, it’s goodbye to Nik. Sorry you couldn’t pick up a wicket or a win in your last game and even more sorry to see you go. You’ve been an important part of the West “family” and will be sadly missed, though I hear for the rest of the season, we’re just going to put a cardboard cut out at mid on and hope no one notices. Don’t forget the boys next year when the Bangalore IPL contracts go on offer.
Half Term Report
June 28, 2009As I head off for the sun (or more of it) and leave you in the hands of guest bloggers for the next two weeks its good to look at what West has achieved so far in Season 2009.
The Ones (McCrea FS West) currently 3rd in SNCL Premier Division – In Rowan Cup Semi Final (Clydesdale on July 8th) – Qualified for West League Cup semis one qualifying match still to go (Clydesdale on Tues 30th).
The Twos (Partick) currently mid table in Brunton Miller WU – In Western Cup Semi Final (to be arranged)
The Threes (Hamilton Crescent XI) top of both Strathclyde League and Evening League – Awaiting opponents in Greenwood Cup 2nd Round – Winners of 2008 Strathclyde Shield delayed till June 2009.
The under 13s – reached Finals day today at Stirling in the National Knock Out Cup
The other Junior teams – showing up pretty well and getting more cricket than in 2008.
So halfway through 2009 there is much to play for. The second half will be harder because opponents always target successful teams. If we keep performing with the confident teamwork shown so far we can undoubtedly maintain and grow the momentum to have a really successful season.
While we are sorry to see Niki Sood returning to India – he has been a real success – we have gained so much from Elly’s focussed stewardship and the influence he has brought to our great team performances through out the Club. We appreciate greatly the support from Douglas McCrea and McCrea Financial Services Ltd and we look forward to an equally exciting and successful second half of Season 2009.
To round off let me clarify West’s position on proposed League Reorganisation. West believes that the SNCL should continue in its present form and rejects the proposed regional leagues in Cricket Scotland’s document. We believe that Cricket Scotland must listen to and discuss more than the two options presented in the document. West’s view is to retain the status quo but is prepared to consider fresh proposals.
JRT
Many Happy Returns, Jonesy
June 28, 2009On 2nd July West stalwart Richard Jones reaches an important milestone that some of us have already passed (and many more, including Cammy – believe it or not – have not reached).
Have a good one, Jonesy – Hope to see you at West before the season is done.
Partick Pip Accies at the Post
June 28, 2009The blog spotlight falls this week on Jonny Graham’s Partick side – fresh from their thrilling win at Kelburne midweek to qualify for the semi final of the Western Cup.
On a cloudy day at Hamilton Crescent – and a dry pitch – Partick batted first led by another excellent innings by Jats (69) who is a revelation since opening the batting. Two differing innings – the first by Anju Lutheran 30 in 20 balls (he promises me he will curb his attacking strokeplay without affecting his natural talent) and 33 in 54 balls by Scott Robertson (famed for his extravagent attacking) paved the way for Partick to reach 199 in around 48 overs.
The Partick attack hit Accies immediately and they subsided to 41 for 6. Then a stand of 92 for the 7th wicket put the pressure back on Jonny Graham and his fielders. Spegsy (fully recovered from his extruciatingly sore broken hand) produced a wonderful run out from mid wicket despatching middle stump for many a mile!!
Aftab finally got the last Accie wicket on 181 and certainly saved a few blushes. Gavin Smith bowled magnificently (5-48) – apart from the no balls but he did stay awake after his rush back from the Big Apple to appear in this match. Partick bowled a total of 18 wides and there is some net work needed to get rid of the no ball and wides habit from most of the bowlers. However this was a great win which propels the team to 111 points (63.4%) which could leave them anywhere between 3rd and 6th in the table depending on other results.
A good week for the 2s – well done!
The Season Just Gets Better….!!
June 25, 2009Partick are through to the semi final of the Western Cup after thrashing Kelburne at Whitehaugh tonight. Kelburne 96-6 Partick 97 for 1 in 14 overs Alan Sprog Williamson belying his age with 59 smashing runs not out! Well done, the troops.
We now await the winners of G U Staff and Irvine.
It’s the Under 13s Turn for a Finals Day
June 24, 2009West’s under 13s travel to Stirling this Sunday for Finals day of the 2009 MCC Spirit of Cricket Under 13 Knock Out Competition.
At 1pm they play Carlton in the semi final and at 3.30pm hope to play Largo or Grange in the Final – if they overcome Carlton in the semi.
Good luck everyone and have a successful day. The winners travel to play Northumberland on Sunday 19th July in the National Competition.
Tony Lewis – Marathon Man!!
June 22, 2009A wonderful effort from Tony in raising over £500 for West in a not too long ago Charity Run. Tony is to be congratulated for his tenacity in chasing up the loot!!
Thanks Tony – there’s another run soon!!
Yet Another Vital Run Out at West
June 22, 2009Max Ralston’s pressure direct throw at the bowler’s end made sure of a tie for the U 18s against Clydesdale at West tonight. Both teams scored 140. And the run out was at the same end as the other two – but with a different umpire!!
Well done team.
Boghall Bonanza in Scottish Cup
June 21, 2009McCrea FS West continued their excellent form from yesterday with a really strong performance at Boghall in the Scottish Cup versus West Lothian.
Now this was the new, all-singing, dancing Scottish Cup with powerplays and extravagent ploys to entertain the crowds and confuse the combatants. Batting first West scored 264 in 49.4 overs. Duggie and Gregg had another fine start. Duggie went for 38, then Elly hit a quick 55 while Youngy – less controversy today – stroked 39. Further support came from Dion with 23 and CT with 24. A confident batting performance with a well judged innings using almost the 50 overs!
In reply West Lothian gathered momentum quicky – as you would expect with fielding restrictions – but with the loss of the two van Wyks the innings folded to around 110 for 7 at which point your correspondent left for a Fathers Day Party back in Glasgow!
Frenzied activity on the mobile confirmed a modicum of recovery by WL to finish at 195 for 9. CT bowled well with 3 for 22 and was well supported by the others. Roll on the draw tomorrow – and well done the troops!!
Ian Emery turned up at the game. he is back in Scotland living in Linlithgow and working in Edinburgh. He and Gail send best wishes to everyone at West who will remember them!!
An update on other games .. the 2s on Saturday were rained off at Irvine while today the 3s chased 200 against GU Staff at West and won by 4 wickets with 8 balls to spare. Another good weekend!
Important News!! Your blogger has been introduced to Twitter and you may soon be able to keep up with live reports from West games. Watch this space.
The 2s rained off Western Cup tie with Kelburne at Whitehaugh has been rearranged for Thursday 25th June ( i.e. this week!!)
