Match Report

CCCC XI v Boroughmuir XI at the Arns

Sunday's game was Saturday’s opposite, with Boroughmuir making a flying start to the game, and slowing towards the end. Clackmannan lost the toss and were asked to field first. The Boroughmuir openers were keen to play their shots, and some slack fielding allowed one opener to make 91, being dropped 5 times in the process. The county’s strike bowlers were put to the sword, until Neil Ramsay and Graeme Anderson, bowling in tandem were able to slow the run rate of almost 10 an over, down. Some good accurate bowling produced 3 wickets for each bowler. Before opening bowler Craig Black returned to take the last 2 wickets and finish the Boroughmuir innings on 199. In reply Clackmannan’s innings got off to a quick start, with Tipu Sultan, typically hitting his first ball for 6 over mid wicket. However, his aggressive style, soon led to his demise. This brought Craig Black to the middle, who, along with Neil Ramsay, built a very good partnership, before Ramsay was run out, trying to pinch a quick single. Graeme Anderson replaced Ramsay joining Black in the firing line, and the two were soon trying to race each other to a big score with dynamic hitting and careful placement for singles. Black perished on 23, trying to guide the ball to third man, and edging it to slip. Anderson and Hooper then put on a good few runs together, before the later mistimed a drive to cover and was caught. Next man in, Noor Jhangir, joined the action in the middle and the run chase progressed nicely until he was caught at mid on with Anderson soon following him, out in a exactly the same way, for a decent 69. But his dismissal exposed the tail, and the innings was soon brought to an end on 176. Again, tighter fielding and a bit of luck with catches could have meant a double success for Clacks in their first proper weekend of action this year, but even so, 350 runs and 20 wickets in a weekend is still very good going and things look rosy for the league season start this week. The 1st XI will travel to Dunfermline on Saturday, to play against Kismet, while the 2nd XI host Peebles County 2 at the Arns. Sunday see’s the start of the Forth Cricket Union matches, with Fauldhouse the visitors to The Arns. So, with summer now officially started why not come down and support the county team. On offer is good cricket, good banter, and the use of the best Beer Garden in the county. Matches start at 2pm. We look forward to seeing you there.