Clackmannan County Cricket Club

By Graeme Anderson

Saturday the 31st of May saw the Counties first eleven travel to Edinburgh to play Holly Cross II XI. Having lost the toss, Clackmannan were asked to bat and openers Graeme Anderson and Graham Oliver quickly set about their work. After last weeks collapse the pressure was on to avoid a similar repeat. Aided by some wayward bowling the opening duo raced to 44 after 8 overs before Oliver was caught having made 18.
Craig Black joined Anderson at the wicket and both continued to keep the scoreboard ticking along passing 100 in the 19th over. The next over and Anderson was out LBW for 33 brining Neil Ramsay to the crease. Shortly afterwards Black brought up his half century and was looking as though he was going to build a big innings. Black and Ramsay offered the occasional chance to the fielders, but were playing some nice shots, progressing the total at over 6 an over. The partnership was however ended in the 32nd over with 172 on the board as Black was given out LBW for a well made 72.
Alan Oliver, Tippu Sultan and Keith Hefer all departed in quick succession, as they struggled to get the balance right between adjusting to the wicket and pushing for runs. Simon McDowell steadied the ship, as he helped Ramsay guide the score to 217, before Ramsay was dismissed 2 runs short of his half century in the 42nd over. McDowell continued until the end of the innings running aggressively between the wickets. With a late cameo from Rizwan Ashraf, who made 23. The innings closed on 260 for the loss of 9 wickets.
During the interval the Clackmannan batsmen reiterated how disappointed they were with last weeks performance. After proving to themselves that they can make high totals.
The Holy Cross innings got off to a slow start with some excellent bowling from Matthew Booth and Craig Black. Unfortunatley they were unable to find a breakthrough, with a few chances flying through the slips, they were very unlucky. After 12 overs, Holy Cross only had 23 runs on the board, as Sultan replaced Black. Booth was replaced by Hefer in the 15th over, who instantly caused problems with his leg breaks. In the 17th over, Hefer made the breakthrough, with Anderson taking a catch in the covers. After 23 overs Holy Cross were sitting on 74 for 1, as Riswan Ashraf was introduced into the attack. His very first ball was drilled through cover by the batsmen, but was brilliantly caught low down by Hefer. Giving Ashraf a wicket a maiden in his first over.
Neil Ramsay replaced Hefer in the 25th over, and Alan Oliver replaced Ashraf in the 32nd. The score was now on 119 for only 2 wickets, thanks to some really tight bowling from all involved. It was a case of Clackmannan trying to close out the win, whilst Holly Cross battled for as many bonus points as they could make.
In the 35th over Hefer was reintroduced striking with his 5th ball. The remaining opener had advanced down the wicket to be met with a bouncer from Hefer. A rather unusual delivery for a leg spinner, and could only top edge the ball to the waiting Ashraf. By the 42nd over, Holly Cross had reached 173 for 5 wickets as Black and Ashraf were reintroduced into the attack. The remaining Holly Cross batsmen fought hard against the pace bowlers to reach 201, with both bowlers taking wickets at regular intervals. Black, Ashraf and Hefer each took 3 wickets, and were well supported by the other bowlers.
This was a good win for Clackmannan after suffering defeat last week. It was important to prove that they could score over 200 when they had to, and should provide a confidence boost. Next week Townhill come to the Arns, with the county looking for back to back wins.

Match Report
Holy Cross 2nd XI v Clackmannan County 1st XI
Click here to view scorecard
Date 31/5/2008	Venue Arboretum	Result Win for CCCC	Weather Hoy & Sunny
By Graeme Anderson Saturday the 31st of May saw the Counties first eleven travel to Edinburgh to play Holly Cross II XI. Having lost the toss, Clackmannan were asked to bat and openers Graeme Anderson and Graham Oliver quickly set about their work. After last weeks collapse the pressure was on to avoid a similar repeat. Aided by some wayward bowling the opening duo raced to 44 after 8 overs before Oliver was caught having made 18. Craig Black joined Anderson at the wicket and both continued to keep the scoreboard ticking along passing 100 in the 19th over. The next over and Anderson was out LBW for 33 brining Neil Ramsay to the crease. Shortly afterwards Black brought up his half century and was looking as though he was going to build a big innings. Black and Ramsay offered the occasional chance to the fielders, but were playing some nice shots, progressing the total at over 6 an over. The partnership was however ended in the 32nd over with 172 on the board as Black was given out LBW for a well made 72. Alan Oliver, Tippu Sultan and Keith Hefer all departed in quick succession, as they struggled to get the balance right between adjusting to the wicket and pushing for runs. Simon McDowell steadied the ship, as he helped Ramsay guide the score to 217, before Ramsay was dismissed 2 runs short of his half century in the 42nd over. McDowell continued until the end of the innings running aggressively between the wickets. With a late cameo from Rizwan Ashraf, who made 23. The innings closed on 260 for the loss of 9 wickets. During the interval the Clackmannan batsmen reiterated how disappointed they were with last weeks performance. After proving to themselves that they can make high totals. The Holy Cross innings got off to a slow start with some excellent bowling from Matthew Booth and Craig Black. Unfortunatley they were unable to find a breakthrough, with a few chances flying through the slips, they were very unlucky. After 12 overs, Holy Cross only had 23 runs on the board, as Sultan replaced Black. Booth was replaced by Hefer in the 15th over, who instantly caused problems with his leg breaks. In the 17th over, Hefer made the breakthrough, with Anderson taking a catch in the covers. After 23 overs Holy Cross were sitting on 74 for 1, as Riswan Ashraf was introduced into the attack. His very first ball was drilled through cover by the batsmen, but was brilliantly caught low down by Hefer. Giving Ashraf a wicket a maiden in his first over. Neil Ramsay replaced Hefer in the 25th over, and Alan Oliver replaced Ashraf in the 32nd. The score was now on 119 for only 2 wickets, thanks to some really tight bowling from all involved. It was a case of Clackmannan trying to close out the win, whilst Holly Cross battled for as many bonus points as they could make. In the 35th over Hefer was reintroduced striking with his 5th ball. The remaining opener had advanced down the wicket to be met with a bouncer from Hefer. A rather unusual delivery for a leg spinner, and could only top edge the ball to the waiting Ashraf. By the 42nd over, Holly Cross had reached 173 for 5 wickets as Black and Ashraf were reintroduced into the attack. The remaining Holly Cross batsmen fought hard against the pace bowlers to reach 201, with both bowlers taking wickets at regular intervals. Black, Ashraf and Hefer each took 3 wickets, and were well supported by the other bowlers. This was a good win for Clackmannan after suffering defeat last week. It was important to prove that they could score over 200 when they had to, and should provide a confidence boost. Next week Townhill come to the Arns, with the county looking for back to back wins.