By Greig Taylor

To sum up the 3rd XI's season would be harder than trying to score runs using a snooker cue , as so many games that could have been won, should have been won and such the perilous position of bottom place in the table wouldn't be an issue with only two games remaining.

After conceding the first game to Glendelvine, it was a real credit to the club that we were able to gather a team (albeit James Cox playing a cameo role as a batsman and then leaving just shortly after teas) to play out the fixture. Tipu Sultan won the toss and elected to bat. As so, Rory Dow and Greig Taylor strode to the wicket, hoping to get the innings off to a brisk start, however with only 2 overs bowled, the players decided to take cover as the rain got that little bit heavier than drizzle, so much for the glorious weather promised by BBC weather forecast. Some 50 minutes later, play resumed and Dow started to play some cracking shots and with the watchful Taylor, the score ticked along nicely to 21 before Mike Yellowlees removed the obdurate Taylor for 6, caught low down at 1st slip by Steve Tait. A superb ball that would have got many better batsmen out. This wicket seemed to have triggered the home side players into thinking they had to hit out, a familiar sight to the regular spectators at the Arns as Tariq Mehboob (1) was caught trying to hit over the top against Sandy Baird. Next over, another wicket as Dow was comprehensively bowled for 17 by Yellowlees. Next over, Baird bowled Ashraf with a ball that kept a little low for 2. Next over, skipper Sultan was impressively caught and bowled by Yellowlees for 2. Deja Vu anyone? Two balls later, Alan Oliver was also back in the hutch with a ball that cut of the pitch to bowl him for 2. Suddenly, Clackmannan were in dire straits as Yellowlees, the Glendelvine Sultan of Swing, had decimated the home sides top order to leave Clacks reeling on 34 for 6. However, those of us who know Auranzeb Alamgir will realise that the score doesn’t alter the way he plays, and after some nudges, he short arm jabbed Baird for the only 6 of the game. After some further lusty blows, he fell victim to Mike Yellowlees to give him his 5th wicket of the innings, caught behind off younger brother Jamie for 20. Jamie “Big Mac” McCann, was at the crease, alongside Kash Ali, who made only the 1 run before he was Yellowlees 6th victim of the day. At this point, number 10 Alan Deacon joined Jamie at the crease and credit must go to the pair as they compiled a partnership of 13, with McCann farming the strike, but more importantly seeing out the remaining two overs of Yellowlees to see him return with figures of 6 – 21 off 9. A great performance to say the least. Jamie's valiant knock of 14 eventually ended as he slashed at a wide one, and gave the Glendelvine skipper his second catch of the day at slip. Captain James Cox came to the crease to help his side out. This just proves the theory that if you come down on a Sunday, you will more than likely be drafted in to play some part of the game, and as is so, James scored an important 4 runs before he was caught off the bowling of promising junior Ross Tait, to leave young Deacon 1 not out. A disappointing effort with the bat by the home side, especially after skipper Sultan decided to bat.

After a well prepared ( done by the author + 2) and scrumptious tea, Glendelvine began their chase, with the intent to get home early, but Clackmannan knew that a few early wickets would make life difficult for the visitors. Glendelvine opened with Mike Yellowlees and Ross Thompson, and Clackmannan were gifted one of those coveted early wickets as Thompson was run out, without facing a ball, attempting to complete the most suicidal of second runs. Mike was joined by younger brother Jamie, and the two began to play some nice shots, advancing the score onto 23 before Jamie was well caught by Alan Deacon, off the bowling of Sultan for 6. With scores of 170, 146 & 94* this season, Clackmannan were well aware that the wicket of Mike Yellowlees would be pivotal, and he was given a life when an LBW was turned down, which in everyone else’s opinion (including the batsman) was a stone waller, but the umpire decision is the one that counts. This wasn't to cause too much angst for the home side though, as he top edged a Jamie McCann delivery next over and was caught by Auranzeb, superbly on the fine leg boundary. Had Auranzeb been in the position that he was supposed to be, the catch would have been a little easier, but having to tread backwards, twisting and turning in time with the swirling ball, he cushioned the ball into his accepting hands to send the big wicket of Yellowlees back to the pavilion for 14. Max Bridgeman (2), fell the next ball as his middle stump was dislodged out of the ground. In previous occasions, such a wicket for Jamie would have been caused by the soft nature of the ground that the stumps were held in but in this case, it was the genuine pace that he was bowling with (helped by the soft ground of course though). Ross Tait joined his dad Steve at the crease, to face the hat-trick ball. A perfect yorker was bowled by McCann, but somehow Ross happened to dig it out, to his relief or disbelief, who knows. Sultan into his 7th over now, saw the back of his counterpart as he bowled Steve Tait for 0, the batsmen dragging the ball onto the stumps. The experienced Sandy Baird came to the crease, and knowing that he can be very dangerous with the bat, Clackmannan had to keep their wits about them when he was on strike. Ross Tait was soon back in the hutch for 2, as a Mehboob ball snuck through the defences of the youngster to leave the visitors at 35 – 6. Russell Brown joined Baird at the crease, and both sides knew that this partnership was going to dictate the outcome of this game. Clackmannan bowlers were bowling with great guile and accuracy and the commitment of the fielders was so impressive that the next 14 overs only yielded 13 runs for the visitors. Yet, during this time, the big wicket of Baird was claimed as he played neither forward, or back to an Oliver slider, and was bowled for 19. Robin Yellowlees (father) joined Brown at the crease, and the two looked to ensure the scoreboard kept on ticking over with some well judged singles. However, the extra flight from Oliver did for Robin, as he was trapped in front for 3, leaving Glens on 58 – 8. Andrew Ross ably supported Brown in moving the total on, but was soon to follow in similar fashion, as he was trapped in front for 2 again by Oliver. At 69 – 9, Aiden Bridgeman (recently turned 11, and barely the height of the stumps) joined Brown at the crease. The youngster played out numerous deliveries, and showed great composure (even leaving 3 balls), when faced with 7 rather ugly faces around the bat, looking to snaffle a catch. Brown did his utmost to take his side to a slender victory, but the final wicket fell as the youngster was bowled for 1 by Mehboob, with the score on 75. Brown finished 14 not out as he nearly steered his side home. A stunning performance in the field and with the ball by the home side enabled them to overcame a very strong batting line up to win by 1 solitary run. The bowlers bowled well in a unit, with only Ashraf not picking up a wicket, although he was close on frequent occasions. Oliver was the pick of the bowlers with 3-7 off his 8 overs. It just proves to show, that the old cricket adage of catches win matches is very true, as two top class catches to remove two dangerous players turned the game most certainly in favour of the home side.