Scorecard

Match Report Clackmannan County 2nd XI travelled to the BP Grangemouth sports field to play West Lothian 3. This was the first game on their new temporary ground for the nomanic West Lothian team. For Ian Davies of Clackmannan however it was a return to an old stamping ground, Ian having played here last some six years ago when he worked at BP. West Lothian batted first but a tight bowling spell from the Clackmannan opening bowlers Muktar Ahmed and Alison Ramsay gave the West Lothian side some problems. By the end of their opening spell West Lothian were 5 wickets down for 44 after 18 overs. They were replaced in the bowling attack by young Blair Campbell and Kash Ali, however they suffered from lack of experience, a the short boundary and two in-form West Lothian batsmen, P Buck and Ahbi. Ronnie Stokes also had little luck in his three overs. Graham Oliver suffered from some dropped chances and fielders drifting out of position, but was given some recompense for a good spell of bowling when he picked up Buck caught Kash Ali for 30. Ross Archibald picked up the scalp of the experienced B Dixon caught by Ramsay running round from mid-on.. At the end of 45 overs West Lothian had ammassed 182 for 8 wickets, with Ahbi 82 not out. The Clackmannan innings opened with Jeff Thomas and Graham Oliver and these two got off to a good start scoring 14 in six overs before the first wicket fell. Graham Oliver LBW off his "wooden" leg for 5 to Holsdsworth, and another hard lernring experience for the Clackmannan youngster, who was batting well and looking to be on track for a good score. Alison Ramsay replaced Oliver at the crease but failed to cash in on her ability going caught again, another wicket for Holdsworth for 5 runs. Ross Archibald and Ronnie Stokes both came and left without adding to the score both bowled by Dixon. Muktar Ahmed added to his success with the ball by scoring 14 before being caught. Blair Campbell managed 2 before being caught off Ahbi and Daniel Love scored four singles before wandering off down the track and being stumpted off Rodgers. All the while Ian Davies confident on his old stampting ground was keeping the score ticking along. By the time Kash Ali was caught off Ahbi for 4 runs to close the innings, Ian Davies had scored 21 not out and the team had scored a final total of 125 in 36.1 overs. A win for West Lothian and 20 points. Playing with ten rather than eleven players always makes the game harder, but its all the more gaulling when a player just fails to turn up and replacements are available. The Clackmannan side were let down by their missed chances in the field. The old saw "catches win matches" is still as true as it always was and fielding is something for the team to improve. Next week the scheduled ESCA game was cancelled due to the withdrawl from the league of the opposition. The friendly game organised in its place against Livingston 2 has had to be cancelled due to transport difficulties exacebrated by the road problems in and around Alloa on Saturday. In two weeks time, on Saturday the 16th July, the second team are due to play Fauldhouse Victoria 2 at Fauldhouse.