McCrea FS West v SCU President’s XI 11 July 2011
July 12, 2011Hamilton Crescent was bathed in sunshine as the teams took the field for the photographs. The SCU President’s side batted first and were led by former West player Craig Wright who had assembled the team on behalf of the President. Opening the batting were former West player Greg Watson and Scotland Under 19‘s Sam Page, who faced the attack of nineteen year old Gavin Smith and Dave McNulty. Page was the first to show intent when he hit Smith for six to the Peel Street boundary. Both batsmen were intent on playing their shots and Page going to hit through the covers was well caught with 26 on the board.
This brought left hander Kevin McLaren to the crease and together with Watson they put on 108 for the second wicket, with some wonderful shot selection. McLaren in particular being sever on anything bowled short, was the batsman to go having reached 60, falling to West professional Colin de Grandhomme. It was now two former West players at the crease, with John Williams joining Greg Watson, the fact that Williams was playing was incredible given that last weekend he was airlifted to hospital after hitting a stationary van while participating in a triathlon. He was desperate to play despite having a plate inserted for a broken jaw. Watson reached his fifty as the President’s side pressed on to reach the 200 mark. The events of the previous weekend eventually caught up with Williams who had to have a runner, which added to the excitement and confusion.
The President’s side eventually finished on 217 for 6 from their 40 overs, with, with Watson making 57 and Williams not out on 33. After tea McCrea FS West took the field with Colin de Grandhomme and Jatinder Singh facing Angus Montgomery and Peter Legget. They put on 43 before de Grandhomme fell to a catch from John Cameron. Wickets fell at regular intervals as the West batsmen could not cope with the guile of Cameron and the spin of Watsonians Amateur Chetan Dhingra who both captured three wickets each.
With the score on 110 for 8 Stewart Leggat on making his way to the pitch remarked to organiser John Thomson that it was a bit harsh that the presentation table was being set up before he had a chance to bat! As it was ‘Spegsie ‘rolled back the years ending unbeaten on 38 as McCrea FS West lost out by 58 runs.
