Scorecard

Match Report On a beautiful sunny day at Doune the Clackmannan County 2nd XI played Fauldhouse Victoria 2nd XI. Fauldhouse batted first with Rob Mildren and youngster Scott Cochrane opening to a Clackmannan attack headed by Muktar Ahmed and Alistair Band. Cochrane was first to go caught by Cash Ali off the bowling of Ahmed for one, he was replaced by Josh Clapperton another of Fauldhouse's band of excellent youngsters. Clapperton opened his account with a boundary before he too fell to Ahmed, bowled for four runs. Mildred was joined by Stevie McIlduff and their experience settled the visitors. McIlduff was caught behind by Scott Malcolmson, for a boundary ridden 14, Ahmed's second victim, after young Band had been replaced by Ronnie Stokes at the Village end. McIlduff's replacement, under sixteen Frances Mahon, played well scoring 17 before falling victim to Graham Bayes, caught and bowled. Bayes varing his bowling, picked up Sam Swan(0), Garry Taylor(4) and Jamie McIlduff(0) in an excellent spell. At the other end young Graham Oliver had his spinners working a treat, to remove Garry Taylor(4), stumped by Malcolmson, Darren Middleton(1) caught by Ali, as well as, the big wicket, Mildren for a well crafted 19. Under thirteen player James Mildren remaining not out naught at the end of the innings. Fauldhouse 96 all out in 31.2 overs. Bowling for Clackmannan, a good team performance, Graham Bayes 4 wickets for 17 runs off 9 overs, Graham Oliver 3 wickets for 11 runs off 3.2 overs and Muktar Ahmed 3 wickets for 28 runs off 9 overs. Alistair Band bowled well in his two spells but without much luck.

Clackmannan captain and apprentice wicketkeeper Scott Malcolmson opened the batting with Graham Oliver. The pair opened steadily against Clapperton and Mahon who bowled tightly. Malcolmson(2) was the first wicket to fall, with the score on 13, bowled by Mahon. Graham Carroll joined young Oliver at the crease and they pushed the score along until, in the sixteenth over, Carrol was bowled by Middleton for 8 valuable runs. Kash Ali(0) survived two balls before joining his team mates on the sidelines, another bowled victim chalked up to Middleton. Graham Bayes came to the crease in purposeful mode to join Oliver. After a promising looking start towards a partnership, 4 overs later Oliver was caught by the young McIlduff off Clapperton for 19 with the score on 42 in the 21st over. A good solid innings from twelve year old Oliver which augers well for the future. Auranzeb Alamgir joined Bayes and took the score on to 65 before the young batsman was run out for 7 runs. James Martell was bowled by Swan and Muktar Ahmed run out, both without bothering the scorer. Bayes, by this time in full flow, was joined by Dan Smith(1) and while the young bowler had not been needed in the Fauldhouse innings, he held up an end while batting. Bayes hit the winning runs, ending the game on 44 not out. Clackmannan won the game scoring 100 for 7 wickets and gaining the 20 points. The good sprinkling of teenage players in both sides can only be good for the future of cricket and as usual, when these two teams meet the game was played in a competitive but sporting manner. For Clackmannan, a good team display, but special mention for Graham Bayes and Graham Oliver for their success with both ball and bat. Next Saturday the second team are away to Broomhall. This match should, if the last three close games are anything to go by, be an interesting contest.