By Scott Malcolmson

Clackmannan seconds travelled to Edinburgh to put their 100% record to the test against Edinburgh South 2nd team. Travelling through didn’t go too well with Captain Malcolmson getting lost and not arriving at the ground until 10 minutes before the start of game.
After winning the toss Clackmannan opted to bat. The now trusted opening partnership of Neil Ramsay and D Smith quickly got the score to 18 before Smith departed bowled for 2. Ramsay soon followed after a fine catch by bowler John for his and Edinburgh’s second wicket.
Malcolmson and Bryant-Nichols steadied the ship before Malcolmson departed bowled for 17. This led to a slight collapse with Auranzeb Alamgir, James Cox, Alison Ramsay, Nick Bryant-Nichols and Ross Archibald all going quickly leaving Clackmannan on 87 for 8 after 24 overs. After hitting two fours Kash Ali was caught on the boundary to leave Edinburgh in control and Clackmannan with their last 2 batsmen at the crease in Ally Band and Callum Lyons.
Edinburgh brought their opening bowlers back on looking to finish Clackmannan off quickly. However Band and Lyons had other ideas. Ally and Callum saw off the opening bowlers with a mixture of some attacking shots and good defence. With the score on 119 after 30 overs the hosts were getting frustrated. Band hit five boundaries and one massive 6 in his final total of 42 not out. Lyons not to be out done chipped in with 20 before he was out caught in the 38th over.
After tea Clackmannan took the field, happy with their score of 170.
Quick wickets were required and Clackmannan got their wish with Neil Ramsay picking up 2 wickets in his 2nd over and another in his 4th over leaving the hosts on 29 for 3 after 7 overs.
Edinburgh chipped away at the score before Band picked up his 1st wicket. With the score on 66 for 4, Clackmannan opted for a change of bowling pace with skipper Malcolmson coming on. This had the desired effect with Fyfe going caught Ali at point. After making the breakthrough Malcolmson replace himself with Cox who bowled an 11 ball over then took himself off, before his skipper could.
At the other end Bryant-Nichols was keeping it tight with only 12 runs coming off his 8 over’s, he picked up a well earned wicket in his final over. This was a great spell of bowling which left Edinburgh on 93 for 6 after 25 overs and below the required run rate. Ramsay and Band were brought back on to finish the game with the hosts requiring 50 from 9 overs. 13 was scored off the next 2 overs. With Chapmen batting well and the experienced Brims at the other end it looked like the hosts would pull off an unlikely victory.
This changed quickly after good work by Callum Lyons and wicket-keeper Alison Ramsay led to young Chapmen being run out for 34. Ramsay then bowled Brins.  Neil Ramsay finished with 4 for 30 from his allocated over’s the last wicket pairing at the crease for Edinburgh needed 12 runs off the last 2 over’s.  Having no recognised bowlers left Malcolmson brought himself on to bowl the penultimate over, with the game in the balance. This gamble paid off with Malcolmson picking up the final wicket with his final ball leaving Edinburgh all out for 159.
This was a great game of cricket which went down to the wire. A hard earned victory and a great team effort for Clackmannan, who maintain their unbeaten record in the league. This win would not have been possible without a late great batting performance from Ally Band and Callum Lyons.  On Saturday the second team play Kirk Brae 2nd XI at the Arns