Clackmannan County Cricket Club

By Scott Malcolmson

Clackmannan travelled through to a Leith, which was baked in sunshine, looking to build on last weeks resounding victory. There was the added incentive of gaining revenge after losing heavily at the same venue last season. (it wasn't Clackmannan that were baked in sunshine then - a new cookin' method maybe!)
Leith won the coin toss and elected to bat first. Clackmannan opened the bowling with Neil Ramsay and Alistair Band; it was the latter who struck first removing the off stump in the process in the 2nd over. Two overs later Band struck again after Pugh went for a big shot, but only succeeded in skying the ball for Alison Ramsay to take the first catch of the day.
G Fraser came in for Leith and helped stabilise their innings by playing some lovely shots, but who should have gone after Nick Bryant-Nichols replaced Ramsay. In Bryant-Nichols first over he was dropped at square leg by Kash Ali. With Bryant-Nichols keeping it tight at one end, Clackmannan turned to youngster Callum Lyons at the other end.
It was from Lyons bowling that the next chance was created. Kash Ali moving quickly to his left threw slightly wide of the stumps but Alison Ramsay was still able to remove the bails for a run out. At the other end Bryant- Nichols didn’t have to wait long for his well earned wicket after a great spell of bowling. Ali replaced Lyons and although he didn’t take a wicket, he created a few chances. Captain Scott Malcolmson replaced Ali and Ramsay came back on to replace Bryant-Nicholls. Malcolmson picked up the prize wicket of G Fraser caught by N Ramsay on the mid-on boundary. During his second spell Ramsay picked up 4 wickets to leave Clackmannan in control and this just left Band to pick up his 3rd wicket of the day and close the Leith innings, all out for 81 in 35.3 overs.
While the two teams headed for tea the Thunder and lightning, which was evident at the tail end of Leith’s innings, turned to rain. Fortunately it wasn’t heavy and didn’t last long.
Clackmannan started their reply with last weeks opening pair of Neil Ramsay and Dan Smith. Ramsay offered a few chances early on, having edged one through the slips and lifting another just over mid wicket. (bet he says he meant to do that!) He soon settled down and along with Smith played some lovely shots. Clackmannan passed 50 for no loss.
Smith was run out for 28 after a well judged innings. With the rain falling Bryant-Nichols was pushed up the order to finish the game off and he responded with two boundaries to bring Clackmannan to 81 for 1. This left Ramsay to score the winning run. Ramsay finished on 43 not out and Bryant-Nicholls on 8 not out.
This was a great victory for Clackmannan who head into next weeks game against Preston Village with confidence and a 100% record. Credit must go to Leith for staying out in the rain when others would have come off.

Match Report
Leith FAB 3rd XI v Clackmannan County 2nd XI
Click here to view scorecard
Date 10/5/2008	Venue Leith Links	Result Win for CCCC	Weather Damp
By Scott Malcolmson Clackmannan travelled through to a Leith, which was baked in sunshine, looking to build on last weeks resounding victory. There was the added incentive of gaining revenge after losing heavily at the same venue last season. (it wasn't Clackmannan that were baked in sunshine then - a new cookin' method maybe!) Leith won the coin toss and elected to bat first. Clackmannan opened the bowling with Neil Ramsay and Alistair Band; it was the latter who struck first removing the off stump in the process in the 2nd over. Two overs later Band struck again after Pugh went for a big shot, but only succeeded in skying the ball for Alison Ramsay to take the first catch of the day. G Fraser came in for Leith and helped stabilise their innings by playing some lovely shots, but who should have gone after Nick Bryant-Nichols replaced Ramsay. In Bryant-Nichols first over he was dropped at square leg by Kash Ali. With Bryant-Nichols keeping it tight at one end, Clackmannan turned to youngster Callum Lyons at the other end. It was from Lyons bowling that the next chance was created. Kash Ali moving quickly to his left threw slightly wide of the stumps but Alison Ramsay was still able to remove the bails for a run out. At the other end Bryant- Nichols didn’t have to wait long for his well earned wicket after a great spell of bowling. Ali replaced Lyons and although he didn’t take a wicket, he created a few chances. Captain Scott Malcolmson replaced Ali and Ramsay came back on to replace Bryant-Nicholls. Malcolmson picked up the prize wicket of G Fraser caught by N Ramsay on the mid-on boundary. During his second spell Ramsay picked up 4 wickets to leave Clackmannan in control and this just left Band to pick up his 3rd wicket of the day and close the Leith innings, all out for 81 in 35.3 overs. While the two teams headed for tea the Thunder and lightning, which was evident at the tail end of Leith’s innings, turned to rain. Fortunately it wasn’t heavy and didn’t last long. Clackmannan started their reply with last weeks opening pair of Neil Ramsay and Dan Smith. Ramsay offered a few chances early on, having edged one through the slips and lifting another just over mid wicket. (bet he says he meant to do that!) He soon settled down and along with Smith played some lovely shots. Clackmannan passed 50 for no loss. Smith was run out for 28 after a well judged innings. With the rain falling Bryant-Nichols was pushed up the order to finish the game off and he responded with two boundaries to bring Clackmannan to 81 for 1. This left Ramsay to score the winning run. Ramsay finished on 43 not out and Bryant-Nicholls on 8 not out. This was a great victory for Clackmannan who head into next weeks game against Preston Village with confidence and a 100% record. Credit must go to Leith for staying out in the rain when others would have come off.