By Scott Malcolmson

Clackmannan faced Morton at the sunny Arns on Saturday looking to head into the season with a perfect pre-season behind them. The day wasn’t going well for Clackmmannan with 2 players running late and Morton winning the toss. Morton elected to bat first.

Blair Campbell and Neil Ramsay opened the bowling and it in the 4th over opener Nathan edged an excellent delivery from Ramsay to Steve Jelfs who took his first catch in his first game for the 2nd team. At the other end Campbell bowled well but without a breakthrough.  With the score on 27 for 1 after 8 overs Alison Ramsay and Scott Malcolmson replaced the opening bowlers.

This change had the desired effect with A Ramsay claiming 2 wickets in a terrific 4 over spell and Malcolmson struck in his 3rd over with Jelfs getting Belton stumped for 10. Nick Bryant-Nichols and Kash Ali were next to bowl and although they couldn’t add to the wickets both bowlers bowled accurately. Ali finishing with 8 runs from his 4 overs and Bryant-Nichols 21 runs from 8 overs.

The next breakthrough didn’t happen until Neil Ramsay came back into the attack in the 33rd over. Morton put on 60 for the 5th wicket; the score at this point was 117 for 5. In his 7th over Ramsay struck a further twice getting Garden trapped LBW and then bowling Forbes with a slower ball.

In the penultimate over Malcolmson had Amis stumped for 47. Amis had come in with Morton reeling on 54 for 4 and when he departed they were on a healthy 152 for 8. Morton finished on 161 for 8 from their allotted 40 overs.

After a fine tea Clackmannan set about the run chase. Malcolmson who was due to bat at No. 4 was pushed to the top of the order after Alistair Band lost an important piece of his cricket gear. Malcolmson was a run a ball when he departed for 12 in the 3rd over caught by Garden at mid wicket. Blair Campbell and Neil Ramsay put on 31 together before the latter departed for 22 bowled by Lancashire.

Campbell who had batted for 21 overs finally fell to a low catch by Vaz off his own bowling. Band finally made it to the crease and after being dropped made Morton pay before he was adjudged out LBW for 21. James Cox didn’t last long scoring 2 before he edged one to the wicketkeeper who said thank you very much.

Auranzeb Alamgir put Clackmannan in a strong position with a quick fire 36 that included 8 boundaries before a mix up with Kash Ali resulted in a run out. Alison Ramsay was out for 7 and with Clackmannan on 157 for 7 victory seemed assured. Ali scored the winning runs with a boundary.

This was a good test for Clackmannan who chased down a good total by the visitors. Clackmanna bowled and fielded well. There were good performances in the field by Band, good bowling performances most notably from man of the match Neil Ramsay who chipped in with 22 runs and 4 wickets for 27.