Scorecard

On a warm but cloudy morning the idea of an afternoons cricket was a pleasing prospect. However by 11.30 the team had to come to terms withbeing two players short and with only one recognized second team bowler in the side. See holidays, see injuries, see Saturday working, see 23 players not available to play! However on to the game. The team found the ground, in dribs and drabs, it's in Inverleith Park behind "the fairground". Yes a real fairground, waltzers, bouncy castles and a ride, which, to the un-initiated seemed to go round and round and up and down to the sound of massive flatulence. Hey! now the seconds know what its like to take part in a 20 twenty game, except in this case the music goes on all the time. The music? Would you believe, The Eagles, The Drifters, but, it was the same for both sides, everybody suffered.

The game? Clackmannan won the toss and fielded, captain for the day Neil Tranter decided we should field, well his garden was being renovated and he didn't want to get home before it was completed. The opening attack was Iain Cairns and Paul Nash, both of whom bowled well against a careful opening partnership by Charhwood and Watson. The first wicket fell in the tenth over with 42 on the scorebook. (well there wasn't a scoreboard). The opening bowlers bowled out the majority of the overs before change could no longer be avoided. The combined ages of the following three bowlers used adds up to 180, slightly more than the number of runs hit off them (146). Although to be fair, the captain did manage to take two wickets and the other two auld codgers managed to take a wicket between them, one catching off the others bowling. This does not detract from the Old Contemptibles batting, most of the players made double figures and the team finished the 50 overs with 271 for 9 . A fine score by D Marriot who scored 105 before departing LBW to Nash was the pivot of the innings. Tea was served al fresco at the pitch side, in what was by now, a gloriously sunny day. Ian Davies and Neil Tranter began the Clackmannan innings but before the end of the second over both Davies and Ramsay were back in the hutch quacking sadly. However all was not lost, George Pullan came to the wicket and showed that, not only has he not lost his touch as a wicket keeper, his batting is also still on song. Yes, the fairground music was still bashing away. Neil and George put on 56 runs for the third wicket and brought respectability to the score. Paul Nash continued where George left off taking the score to 123 for the fourth wicket, when Paul finally went for 18. The youngsters tried to help Neil's efforts with the bat but their inexperience facing the accurate home attack made this a demanding task. Iain Cairns came in, rested after his exertions with the ball, but by this time the die was cast. Neil Tranter carried his bat through the innings to make a total of 71 not out. The final Clackmannan score a creditable 133 in 40 overs. Who knows what a difference another two players would have made, both in the field and to the teams ability to hold out for the last five overs. A commendable display by the nine Clackmannan players who did not give up even against a truly awesome score. The youngsters worked hard at their game and were a credit to the team, they are learning all the time. Special mention to; Steve Pronty for working tirelessly in the field. Not bad for someone who has never played cricket before but was prepared to turn up and put his heart into the game. Practice is on Tuesday nights Steve, hope we see you there. George Pullan, still a class wicketkeeper after all these years, and Ian Davies both of whom led the youngsters by example. Neil Tranter who yet again muttered about retiral etc etc. Bah! Humbug! Keep playing, your County needs you! Especially thanks to the guys from Old Contempibles for their friendly good humour and excellent after match hospitality. Especially from, you know who, who not only eats all the pies but the wedges, nachos and onion rings as well.