By Nick Bryant-Nichols

Clackmannan 2nd XI travelled to Penicuik this week for an away fixture against Penicuik 3rd XI. On  another glorious cricket day where the sun shining. We arrived at the ground to be greeted with a steep hill to climb to the pitch, and when we reached the summit, we were invited to change into our gear by a copse of trees Alfresco style. Changing quickly both Skippers headed to the artificial wicket to carry out the toss. Skipper Nick Bryant-Nichols won the toss and put the opposition into bat.

Penicuik started their innings slowly, as the opening bowlers for Clackmannan, Will Kay and Matt Booth were containing them really well. Soon they started to be rewarded for their tight bowling by Matt claiming the first wicket for Clackmannan in the 4th over. Will wasn’t going to be left out and got the 2nd wicket in the very next over leaving Penicuik a bit shell shocked on 12 for 2 after 5 overs. The bowlers by now have got into their stride and Matt picked up another 2 wickets leaving Penicuik 30 for 4 after 10 overs. Double bowling change brought on Richard Passe and Tippu Sultan. At this stage the opposition were having none of it.  At the crease were Junior Calum Steel and Higgins. Steel had an excellent arsenal of shots and put them to good use.Another bowling change Tippu was replaced by Kash Ali and Nick Bryant-Nichols replaced Richard. The Penicuik pair put on a 53 partnership before Steel’s (17) wicket was taken by an excellent caught and bowled by Kash, taking the score to 83 for 5.  Higgins now had a determined look on his face, was hitting the ball all over the park and was rewarded for his efforts by getting his 50. Penicuik were on 92 when their next wicket fell, quick thinking by wicket Keeper Grieg Taylor who stumped J.Scott off the Skippers bowling. Richard came back on to bowl at the other end. On the 25 over of the match Nick Bryant-Nichols struck twice leaving the first ball of his next over to be a hatrick ball. The hatrick was never to be but Richard struck at the other end gaining the valuable wicket of Higgins (58) caught behind by Grieg. The score now was 111 for 9 in came the opposition number 11 D.Searr to face Richards bowling and he played himself in by hitting a very big six. The second ball of the 29th over brought Penicuik 3rd XI innings to a close Nick bowled D.Searr for (8). Pick of the bowlers were the Skipper 4 for 17 and Matt 3 for 12. Penicuik finished on 124 all out.

As teas were at their clubhouse after the game, we had a quick turn around and got about the task in hand. Clackmannan opening pair this week were Gordon Oliver and Dan Smith who set off at a steady pace to keep the score rolling over. The score was going along nicely on 45 for no wicket when Gordon faced the slow opening bowler and tried to hit the ball back over extra cover and was bowled. Next up was our resident Rock Star Richard Passe making it to the crease only after writing new lyrics to  new hit (I’m batting at 3 come and chase me) which he gave a rendition to the Team before batting. Richard was looking comfortable out there until he was run out for (14) by a direct hit by a junior fielder J.Scott (excellent throw, good arm). Clackmannan were at 67 for 2 after 14 overs and in wanders Tippu Sutan and yes, he wasn’t hanging about. He faced 18 balls hit 2 sixes within that and was caught at deep extra cover going for a big hit and was out for a quick fire (31)Clackmannan were 111 for 3 needing only 14 runs to win. Rory Dow then joined Dan in the middle. Dan was holding up his end very well hitting some nice shots and building a nice innings for him and keeping the score ticking along to the finishing line. Rory and Dan brought the game to an end in the 25 over of the Clackmannan innings. On the third ball of that over Dan finished on a four on the leg side to take Clackmannan to a winning total of 128 for 3.  Dan carried his bat and scored a very valuable 44 not out and Rory was 7 not out. Clackmannan gained another victory winning by 7 wickets.

 

An excellent cohesive team performance by the 2ndXI. The 2nd’s have a home fixture at The Arns to Boroughmuir 2ndXI next Saturday and will try and keep the winning momentum going even more.