By Scott Malcolmson

Clackmannan were hosts to Kirk Brae hoping to build on their great start to the season. In a day of great sunshine, Clackmannan won the toss and elected to field.
The game started well for the visitors with opening bowlers Ali Band and Muktar Ahmed failing to get an early breakthrough. Noor Jhangir replaced Band and would have had a wicket but for a dropped catch or two.
Ahmed in his final over, struck for Clackmannan to get a well earned wicket, George Futcher LBW for 21, with the score on 58.  With the visitors going along at 4 runs an over it was crucial Clackmannan picked up wickets. Umar Tahir was next in for Kirk Brae and he certainly wasn’t playing for time. Captain Scott Malcolmson, who replaced Jhangir, was hit for 3 consecutive fours. Tahir full of confidence went for another big shot, only this time missed the ball and was well stumped by Alison Ramsay.
Kirk Brae at the drinks break was in a good position with the score on 88 for 2. With Clackmannan missing a few of their regular bowlers and searching for inspiration Paddy Mitchell stepped forward. After missing a few games with a broken finger Mitchell bowled well and started picking up wickets quickly. The first one after a fine catch by Ahmed at mid on. This was followed by 2 wickets in his next two over’s, one of which was Asif Raja out LBW for a fine innings of 42.  Clackmannan now had their tail’s up and were taking wickets regularly, hoping to keep the score to a minimum Jhangir returned. Jhangir picked up his first wicket of the day in his first over back.
Mitchell however was not finished for day and concluded his great spell of bowling picking up another 3 wickets to bowl Kirk Brae out for 135 and finishing on 6 for 25 off his allocated 8 overs.
After a fine tea Clackmannan buoyed by the fact Kirk Brae were out for less than 150, after at one point looking to be heading for more than 200, were confident in their run chase.
Without regular opener Neil Ramsay after he was called into the first team Clackmannan opted to open with Rich Passe and Dan Smith. Although the two openers saw off the opening bowlers the score after 10 overs was a measly 14 runs. However, Smith took charge and Clackmannan scored 11 off the 14th over.
Passe was first out to a fine catch by Ashraf. He was soon followed by Smith for a well batted 28. This brought 2 new batsmen together in Noor Jahangir and Tom King. Neither player was wasting time, since the run rate well below what was required. King played some nice shots before he played around a straight one and was bowled for Umar Tahirs second wicket off the day.  Paddy Mitchell replaced King and along with Jhangir pushed the score along until Jhangir after two nice fours went looking for a run that wasn’t there and was run out for 14. Mitchell was next out lbw. This left Gordon Oliver and Scott Malcolmson at the crease. With 42 runs required off the last 10 overs Clackmannan were confident of victory.
After some fine shots by both batsmen, Clackmannan got the runs required for victory with four over’s to spare.
This was an excellent victory for Clackmannan to keep their 100% record intact. A great spell of bowling by Mitchell and an excellent effort in the field by Clackmannan on a hot day made this victory possible.  On a beautiful day, two competitive teams, both playing the game in the best of ways, applying the laws with a fairness that did them all credit, with absolutely no problems from the discipline point of view, produced a fantastic shop window for how cricket should be played.
Thanks to 12th man Blair Campbell and scorer Morven Ross their effort and commitment to the team was much appreciated. Next week look forward to another tough match away to Peebles County.