By Craig Black

Clackmannan 1: Livingston/weather 0
The Cougars played host to Livingston this Saturday looking to avenge a dreadful defeat last week at the hands of West Lothian. With the forecast for the day looking dodgy, Clack’s skipper Craig Black was undecided on whether to field or bat having won the toss for only the second time this season (a new tosser please!). With the outfield still damp Black opted to field first.
Rizwan Ashraf and Keith Hefer took the new ball and both settled into their rhythms immediately. Ashraf didn’t have to wait long and struck gold on the last ball of his first over, tempting the dangerous Khalid (4) into an ill judged pull shot, which was skied and comfortably taken by a bellowing Greig Taylor behind the stumps. Young Andy Wilcock and Sohaib Ashghar knuckled down and looked to see off the openers, which they did, however the introduction of Craig Black in the 10th over had immediate results, a short pitched ball catching Ashghar (12) on the gloves and was caught behind by Taylor. Jamie McCann making his 1st team debut this season replaced Hefer and his second ball produced another wicket, Skipper Naved Ashghar (3) sharply taken in gully by Graham Oliver. At 32 for 3, Livingston needed a partnership, which was duly provided with the help of Salman Aslam who helped progress the score to 68 in the 21st over before Neil Ramsay produced a wicket maiden on his first over, clean bowling Aslam for 23. Ramsay was on a roll and struck again in his second over, trapping Kumar LBW for 2. Crichton and Wilcock progressed the score to 93 before Alan Oliver was rewarded for some consistent bowling, ironically picking up the wicket of Crichton (15) with the worst ball of his spell, a full toss which was smashed to the grateful, giant mitts of McCann at deep mid on. The resistance put up by Wilcock (25) was finally broken an over later when he was run out after some sharp fielding by McCann again at point. With the score on 95-7, the Cougars were hoping for a small total to chase, however, Feraz Ashghar had other ideas and blasted a classy 62* as he and the tail put up stubborn resistance and took the score to 175. Another run out to McCann, and wicket to Black and a wicket to Ramsay accounted for the remaining three scalps. Ramsay finished as pick of the bowlers with 3-18 off 8 overs.
Graham Oliver and Davie Watkins started the Cougars run chase but were soon in trouble when Watkins was bowled by N. Ashghar first ball. Oliver and Black steadied the ship with a 50 run partnership before Black was called by mother-nature and had to make an unplanned pit stop. Graeme Anderson replaced him and helped take the score to 86 before Oliver was adjudged LBW off Jim Wilson for a well constructed 34. Black resumed the field at the fall of the wicket and feeling a little more comfortable, and he helped Anderson progress the score to 125 before the latter was caught at deep mid on for 33. Black was looking in good form and started enjoying the surprising sunshine, raising his bat as he passed 50 for the 5th time this season. A 7 wicket win looked on the cards but unfortunately Gordon Oliver was caught behind off Aslam for 10 with only 5 needed. It was left to Black to send the ball over the ropes in the next over and ensure a resounding 6 wicket victory for the home side which helps get their promotion bid back on track.
Black was awarded Man of the Match with his 77*, but he was also presented with Dick of the Day for his journey to the porcelain throne mid match.....