By Neil Ramsay

Almond Valley, Perth

            On Sunday Clackmannan County 3rd XI faced Almond Valley at Doo’cot park in Perth. Skipper Craig Black won the toss and elected to bat on what looked to be an excellent batting strip. Black and Graham Oliver opened proceedings and both looked in fine form. The openers proceeded to move the score along quickly stroking the ball around the ground well, rapidly put 50 on the board. However the partnership was soon to end as Oliver fell to an unfortunate close run out. This brought Aurangzeb Alamgir to the wicket who looked for the big scoring shot right from the start. Craig Black continued to score fluidly, but eventually fell to an LBW, bowled by LeRoax for 45. This brought Charlie McNish to the crease, but he was quickly dismissed, caught at 1st slip for a duck. Alamgir soon followed which brought Neil Ramsay and Gordon Oliver to the crease. Both players looked comfortable and soon stabilised the innings. Ramsay and Oliver worked the ball through the few gaps in the field to see out the forty overs. The innings ended with a total of 163 for 4, with Ramsay on 44 and Oliver scoring 39.

            Clackmannan begun the defence of Clackmannan's total with Jamie McCann and Aurangzeb Alamgir opening the bowling. McCann was first to strike removing LeRoax for 4. The young openers were replaced by Charlie McNish and Neil Ramsay, McNish bowled extremely well and eventually finished with figures of 4 for12, while McCann ended the day with 3 for 19. Graham Oliver replaced Ramsay and bowled a tight line. Skipper Black bowled well, as did Mathew Booth, but ultimately the day went to McNish and McCann, who both bowled sensibly and accurately to claim the lions share of the wickets. A fine win against an excellent bowling and fielding side. Next Sunday the 3rd XI play a Largo development side at the Arns