By Greig Taylor

After a saturatingly rainy day on Friday, Clackmannan County's home game against Kirk Brae was moved to the artificial wicket.  After winning the toss, Clackmannan Vice-Captain, Craig Black asked the opposition to bat.  Having scored 160 the previous week, Clackmannan knew that KB opening bat, David Sangster (6), commanded the wicket which the homesters wanted. This wicket was duly provided by the ever consistent Rizwan Ashraf, who was at his metronomical best.  After a watchful innings, the 6ft 9” figure of Colvin (20), was sent back to the pavilion again by Ashraf, who bowled a carbon copy of the ball that removed Sangster.  With openers, Black and Booth failing to take any wickets, the skipper turned to Tippu Sultan.  Batsman number 3, Snow (11), nicked a ball which Gordon Oliver held onto at the, second attempt, at slip.  This wicket was achieved by a barrage of short pitch bowling by Sultan, which continued and brought the downfall of Rive (6) and Bukes (0), both coolly caught behind, by keeper, Greig Taylor.   Although the pace attack were doing wonders, the skipper decided a change of pace was needed and the ever reliable Alan Oliver, provided the breakthrough.  The old cricketing adage 'one brings two' also came to fruition as Oliver enticing not only Moss (6) but also Mehta (0) down the wicket and due to the quick work of Taylor behind the sticks, both were sent back stumped.  After bowling an unsuccessful couple of overs, the worst ball Keith Hefer bowled was misjudged by Futcher and the resulting skier was taken by Alan Oliver at short fine-leg.  The combination of Kieron Blake and Colin Seditas, slowly built a partnership which enabled KB to post a total over a 100.  Having seen enough of the slow bowlers, Black turned back to his pace men and they did the trick in wrapping up the innings.  Seditas (8) was caught behind off the bowling of Ashraf, who returned with figures of 3 for 15, in what proved to be, another excellent episode of sustained line and length bowling.  Blake (54) had his innings ended after Sultan tempted him to drive but only succeeded in providing another knick for keeper Taylor to pouch.  Sultan ended with figures of 4 for 17, and along with Ashraf, these two effectively demolished the Kirk Brae batting line up.  A good bowling performance, combined with some excellent fielding, saw Clackmannan contain KB to 133 all out.  Special mention must be made of wicketkeeper Greig Taylor two stumpings and four catches, a great effort for his first appearance in the top side this season. Webmaster. With a low score to chase down, Clackmannan opened the batting with a new combination, G.S Oliver and K. Hutchison. The usual two openers Graeme Anderson (in bed with flu) and Geoff Logan (on holiday in Poland), were unavailable for selection.  The openers got off to a good start, taking CCCC to 31 for 0 after 10 overs.  However, the persistently accurate bowling of Hallett, saw Oliver play a false shot and the ball cannoned onto his stumps.  Hutchison was joined at the crease by Craig Black and the two looked to take the attack to the KB bowlers.  Black, started bleaching the ball to all parts of the ground, exhibiting timing that a Rolex watch maker would have been proud off.  Black was out for 45 after he was caught at cover, a good catch that rocketed off the bat.  Gordon Oliver came in at number 4 and retired injured soon after as his calf muscle became troublesome.  Ash Rasul strode to the crease, and continued in the rich vain of form he exhibited last Sunday, as he pounced on any poor ball, finishing on 10 not out.  Ken Hutchison, had taken on the role of anchoring the innings, which he played well, finished on 44 not out. Clackmannan enjoyed their victory in the baking sunshine which covered the Arns in the later part of the day.