Clackmannan County 2nd XI played host to Edinburgh South, who were languishing near the base of the league table while Clackmannan were looking for yet another victory as they push for promotion in ESCA Division 8.
Skipper for the day, Neil Ramsay, lost the toss and the capital side had no hesitations in electing to bat, on what looked a “belter” of a wicket. Edinburgh South started off slowly, only scoring 14 runs off the first 10 overs. This was in part down to the controlled bowling of the skipper and his younger counterpart, Ali Band. Unfortunately for Edinburgh South, with Band taking a wicket with his first ball and bowling well throughout his first spell, Edinburgh couldn’t really afford to push the score. The innings went from bad to worse for the ten man capital side. They had moved from 14 for 3 to 37 for 8, as the halfway mark of 20 Overs passed by. The reason for this capitulation of the batting line up was mainly down to the King of Spin, David Henderson. The veteran of the side, toiled in the sun, proving there is no substitute for guile and experience, by yielding 4 wickets from his economical spell. JDH was ably supported by all the other Clackmannan bowlers as they each chipped in with wickets. A fine stand for the final wicket allowed the Edinburgh South side to attain final total of 64 runs.
After a delectable tea, the home side sent openers Ken Hutchison and Scott Malcolmson to begin what should have been a relatively easy run chase, but those of you who avidly follow cricket will know that the smaller scores are sometimes the hardest to chase. The openers proceeded to 10 runs before the Hutchison was bowled for 10. Malcolmson exited shortly after, adjudged LBW for 1. Simon McDowell and the skipper chipped in with some runs but both soon fell to leave the home side stuttering on 34 for 4, still requiring 31 runs to win. Thankfully for Clackmannan, the in-form batsman, Patrick Mitchell eased the nerves of the skipper and the team as his swashbuckling technique of clubbing the ball to the boundary proved too much for Edinburgh South side as he brought the game to a rapid conclusion. Mitchell ended 19 not out and Ali Band 11 not out as the Clackmannan side finished on 68 for 4. In the end, an easy win and one that will hopefully help the Clackmannan side increase their chance of promotion to Division 7.
County 2’s travel to Pitreavie next week to play bottom of the table Dunfermline Carnegie in a game the County side should be looking to win!!