By Greig Taylor

As the warmest weekend of the year continued, Clackmannan County played hosts to the Perthshire side, Almond Valley.  Last year, both games were very competitive between the teams and this trend was to continue with another close fought game.
Clackmannan skipper, Tipu Sultan, won the toss and elected to bat on what looked a cracker of a pitch.  This was clearly the case when the Clackmannan openers Ric Odendal(19) and Noor Jhangir(20) raced to 50 for 0, in the 10th over with both batsmen riding their luck and getting away with it.  However, Clackmannan luck was to change as Almond Valley struck back with a succession of wickets.  Ric Odendal and Noor Jhangir has set the platform, but Clackmannan middle order failed to respond as Sultan and Oliver both feel for ducks leaving Clackmannan on 58 for 4.  This left Keith Hefer and Kash Ali, both new to the crease, to steady the ship and hopefully take advantage of the quickening outfield and tiring fielding side.  They played themselves in and then suddenly launched into attack playing some beautiful strokes straight down the ground.  It looked like the pair were going to put on a big partnership, however this was not to be the case and Ali dragged on the effective bowling of S La Rue.  With 15 overs to go, CCCC were on 117 for 5 and of posting a score of around 160 was on the cards.  Unfortunately for the home side, Hefer was soon bowled for a well compiled 46 and with the tail nagging, Clackmannan finished on 138 all out.  A below par score indeed, but some tight bowling and fielding for the County boys would be needed if they wanted to compete.
After a cracking tea, Almond Valley started their chase in commanding form with both openers scoring freely but Clackmannan skipper pulled one back with the score on 22.  Almond Valley then seemed to continue to score runs as the classy number 3 was taking the attack to bowlers.  However, Clackmannan skipper yet again pulled another one back, clean bowling the number three batsman.  With Will Kay failing to take a wicket, the captain decided a change was needed and brought on Alan Oliver.  Instantly, Oliver began to cause problems as the change of pace wasn’t too the visitors liking and many perished due to their eagerness to thump the spinner around the park.  Clackmannan had fought back very well and with Almond Valley only requiring 40 runs, albeit only having 4 wickets left, a tight finish was expected. AV suddenly lost another wicket and the county side really got their backs and started to commit to everything in the field.  Unfortunately for the home side, two very hard chances were put down and this was the let off and the AV batsmen needed as the chipped away at the target.  Clackmannan eventually got another wicket, but by this time Almond Valley only required another 5 runs to win.  A tuck into the leg side and a scampered single won the game for the Perthshire side.
A tremendous game played in admirable spirit between two very good sides.  If Clackmannan had scored 20 or so more runs the outcome may have been different, but in the end a two wicket loss was a creditable loss.  Next week, the 3rds have a break from the league and are to play Stirling in a friendly match.