By Grieg Taylor

Win for Clackmannan by 48 runs

The lost boys of Clackmannan Countytravelled to Kirriemuir, the home of playwright J.M.Barrie, who’s most famous novel, was that of Peter Pan.  Clackmannan County seemed like they were in Neverland as their dreams had come true and they had retained their 100% record, after narrowly beating Falkland last week.

After losing the toss, Clackmannan were asked to bat on a real tricky wicket.  Replacing his brother as opening bat,Alan Oliver and Craig Black opened up the innings and unfortunately for the county side, the ever-reliable Black was out in the first over only scoring 6. Simon McDowell, playing his first 3rd XI game, came in at number 3 and ably assisted Oliver in taking the score44 after 9 overs before McDowell was bowled by a daisy-cutter for 7. Alamgir came to the crease and found the uneven bounce hard to with as he went for a hurrahand was bowled by a shooter.  At 48 for 3, Clacksseemed in quite a bit of trouble but Tippu Sultan and Oliver built the partnership that allowed Clacksto post a high score.  Sultan took the attack to the bowlers and bludgeoned his way to 46 which included four 4 and a massive six.  At this stage, Clacks ! were 125 for 4 but they still had 17 overs left.  At the start of the day, Clackmannan would have taken anything above 150 but with Oliver still at the crease, the score looked like it was going to push the 200 mark.  Kash Ali (20) and Greig Taylor (15) hit some boundaries but mainly acted as a support role to Oliver who was nearing his fifty.  "Please sir, can I have some more" asked Oliveras thebowled served up a leg side full toss which Oliver (54) dispatched to the boundary to bring up his first fifty for the club.In an effort to push the score, Ali, Taylor and Oliver were out trying to hit some late runs.  Noor Jhangir (6*) and Steve Jelfs (2*) saw the side home and Clacks finished with a respectable total of 204 for the loss of 7 wickets.

After a nice selection at tea, Clackmannan took to the field in an effort to defend their score.  It didn’t get off to the best of starts as the opening bowling for Clacks, C.Ross and C.Lyons, found it hard as the Kirrie batsmen were striking the ball in a ferocious manner.  After racing to 56 – 1 in 9 overs, Auranzeb Alamgir getting the first wicket having the batsmen caught behind by keeper Sultan. Oliver brought himself onto bowl and instantly brought success as he bowled the devastating Tucker for 43.  He then had the next 2 batsmen bowled as well, and returned with figures of 3 – 27 off 6.  At the other end, Alamgir who was further exploiting the pitchreturned with figures of 2 – 18 off 9 overs.  Cran and Grant looked like salvaging the innings for Kirriemuir as they built a 43 run partnership.  Once Grant was bowled by Black for 25, the skipper gave everyone in the team a bowl.  Steve Jelfs and Kash Ali each took one wicket to finish off the game and Kirriemuir were bowled out for 156.

A good performance by the Clacksside which ensured their winning ways continued for yet another week.  Thanks to Kirriemuir who played the game in good spirit and a fair manner.

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