McCrea FS West close in on leaders

Following a good win against Watsonians,West comprehensively defeated the Scotland Under 19s by 105 run and are now only2 points behind Aberdeenshire.

Batting first on a very good deck,West posted a substantial score of 271 for 6 largely due to a partnership of 180 between Elly(90),Duggie(26),who worryingly retired hurt,and Youngy(61). Credit is due to the Under 19s bowlers who had initially been given a bit of a mauling but managed to stem the flow of runs in the latter stages of the innings but gave away 38 extras,26 of which were wides.

Although 272 to win was a big ask the Under 19s batsmencame with a reputation for chasing down big targets.However, they got off to the worst possible start when Coleman was brilliantly run out by Kashwith a direct hit at one stump and then Gav , who had his radar working better,bowled the other opener Hairs. Chalmers(27) and Petrie (52) put on 80 for the third wicket and looked dangerous for a time but once they had gone the innings petered out for 166 in the 34th over. Crannie, with a good second spell took 4 wickets and together with Elly and Dion broke the back of the innings.

Make no mistake this was a very good wi against a talented group of young cricketers who have competed well at this level throughout the season. On this occasion they came up against a team which has grown in stature and self belief as the season has gone on and even coped with the injury to Duggie on the day. Youngy did a pretty good job as stand in gloveman.

So on to next  weekend with home matches against Aberdeenshire in the SNCL and Ayr in the Scottish Cup. Duggie, get that hamstring sorte ‘cos we need you !!