Glenrothes 2nd XI v Heriots 3rd XI

Willie Morrison took control of a stronger looking Glenrothes Cricket Club 2 nd X1. with all-rounders Brian Morris and Craig Muir coming back to stiffen up the side. Call off’s once again caused a late call up for Brian Johnston who had not played cricket for 10 years as Glenrothes took the field at Goldenacre Home of Heriot’s 3 rd X1 in tyhis division 5 league match.

Glenrothes lost the toss of the coin and Heriot’s had no hesitation in putting Glenrothes into bat. This seemed a strange decision as the Heriots wicket is normally a belter. The Glenrothes First X1 only a few weeks ago on the same square chased a score of 265 and got it.

Last weeks winning stand of 133 between Captain Willie Morrison and Geoff Sampson was not long in being broken when the pitch was soon to show early on that it was not going to be an easy wicket to bat on. Willie Morrison was back in the pavilion in the 5 th over when a delivery from McDougal kept low and clean bowled a bemused skipper.

Concentration was the order of the day, but with Geoff Sampson beginning to cut loose and score freely he to was to return to the pavilion being caught at mid off for 19 with the score on 31 in the 11 th over. Manju Kadanaik (14) and Craig Muir (5) dug in and moved the score steadily onto 52 by the 22 nd over. The wicket was to prove the games winner as both batsmen and then Brian Morris (10) were all clean bowled to have Glenrothes reeling in the 30 th over with the score standing at 77 and 5 wickets down.

Cometh the hour cometh the man and Chris Yarwood was to prove to himself that he can bat as he stuck in and being well supported by Dave Snook (9) and Alan Hutchison (10) he went on to be undefeated on 30. The score of 132 just did not seem achievable and was about 30 more than they looked as if they would score.

A tight start was required and the opening attack of Alan Hutchison and Dave Snook duly obliged. A bonus was obtained with only the fourth delivery of the innings as “Hutch” had the young wicket keeper Case trapped in front, lbw.

With 10 overs bowled and the score on 17 Glenrothes snapped up a 2 nd wicket. Yes it was that man Alan Hutchison clean bowling the other opener. This brought the highly acclaimed Gordon Ross to the wicket. At this stage Glenrothes were up for the challenge and this certainly showed as the fielders responded to with some excellent bowling.

Chris Yarwood in particular responded to pull off a fantastic catch at square leg from Alan Hutchison the wicket of Ross for a meagre 6. The win now looked achievable as Herots were on 21 for 3. Dave Snook looked as if his fine bowling stint was going to go unrewarded, but the dodgy pitch came into play and he had Gosney clean bowled in his 8 th over. Dave was eventually to bowl out his 9 overs 1 wicket for a meagre 16 runs. Two loose balls had duly been despatched each for 4 runs. This meant Dave had bowled 54 balls of which only 9 balls had been scored from, a terrific response.

Brian Morris and Manju Kadanaik replaced the opening attack and duly responded to the tight start. Brian picked up one wicket a catch by Snook at mid off as he too bowled out 9 overs for 26 runs and Manju 9 overs lucklessly no wickets for 14 runs, 9 scoring shots.

The game was now being controlled by Glenrothes as Heriot’s were reeling at 70 for 6 wickets with only 12 overs remaining. Alan Hutchison completed his 9 overs having bowled 7 overs for 14 was hit for 15 off his remaining but picked up a wicket with his first delivery and what a wicket that was. C. Jones junior cracked a loose delivery deep to the square leg boundary with Andy Muir “gazelle” like picked up a marvellous outstretched catch.

A. Hogarth who had previously picked up 4 wickets during the Glenrothes innings was now controlling the batting and pushing his side towards the Glenrothes score.

The Heriots score was now on 114 for 6, 4 wickets remaining, 5 overs left and two bowlers Willie Morrison and Craig Muir who had few overs under their belt this season.

What a finish was to ensue as Craig Muir picked up the prize wicket of Hogarth for a fine 36 and captain courageous Willie Morrison, being a match winner with the bat last week picking up 3 wickets for 12 runs to leave Heriots 10 short on 122.

This was a great game to be involved in and to watch matched if not exceeded by the sporting decision by Gordon Ross giving his last player out LBW.

The 20 points going to Glenrothes but sporting cricket was the winner.

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