All-square at Falkland

The Glenrothes Gladiators softball cricketers made the short trip to Scroggie Park, Falkland, to resume competitive cricket in the strangest of summers.

Though luckily there was no strangeness to the cricket on show as both the Gladiators and the Falkland Falcons put on a great display. With the Falcons putting out two teams on the night, two games were played as 8-a-side, with batting pairs facing 2 overs each and everyone bowling at least one over in the game.

The first game saw Dylin skipper the Gladiators (though with Amy as Club Captain and Sam as Inspiration Captain too) though he lost the toss, with the Falcons inviting the Gladiators to bat.

Opening pair Amy and Danny struck two excellent boundaries each, though Amy unluckily caught behind from a ball that kicked high - 25 for 1 from 2 overs. Next pair Dylin and Joe batted well also, though lack of calling saw Dylin run out - 34 for 2 from 4. Sam and Spencer as the third pair faced good bowling from Keir and Rory, a boundary to Sam was good reward but both pleased to bat through their 2 overs without losing a wicket to gain 5 bonus runs - 49 for 2 from 6. Final pair was Archie (making his debut) and Krtihika who again batted really well, but Krithika was unlucky to be dismissed similar to Amy (a ball kicking high and sideways, to hit the ball up for a catch behind) - Gladiators finishing on 60 for 3 wickets from their 8 overs.

In response, the Falcons showed a great deal of patience throughout their innings. Innes and Flynn faced the first two overs from Gladiators Dylin and Joe and kept their focus to remain not out (and gain 5 bonus runs) - 19 for 0 from 2 overs. The second pair batted similarly, though it was two excellent overs from Danny and Sam who just couldn't quite force the breakthrough - 37 for 0 from 4. Debutant Archie bowled excellently in conceding just 6 runs in his over, and Spencer bowled tidily - 55 with no wickets lost after 6 overs. Falcons will have known they were well placed, so the dangerous Rory and partner Struan were reigned in well by Amy 1 wicket for 4 runs (to an excellent caught behind by Danny) and Krithika also taking one wicket - to an outstanding catch by Joe diving at mid-wicket, to which he took great delight in acknowleding the crowd. Falcons finished on 72 for 2.

With each wicket gained bowling counting for 5 bonus runs to add to your batting scores, final scores were Gladiators 70 for 3 against Falcons 87 for 3 - so a win to the Falkland Falcons.

The second game saw a near full-team change for the Falcons. Skipper this time was Archie who was full on confidence, and delighted to in turn win the toss and choosing the bat first.

Amy and Joe opened the batting, with Amy unlucky to be bowled first ball (I'm a lenient umpire, the ball bounced a few times so should have been a no-ball, but I know Amy would have bounced back so it's good to encourage the other players) - but being run out in the second over perhaps didn't help. Joe hitting a boundary 4 off the last ball led to him raising his bat to the crowd, and Gladiators on 10 for 2 from 2 overs. Spencer and Jack were next up, and both batted well though another run-out was unlucky (bowler perhaps didn't take the ball cleanly, but again give the benefit of the doubt) - 24 for 2 from 4 overs. Next up was Archie and Sam who began to call well after a couple of early scares, though Sam unlucky to be bowled by Leo - 33 for 4 from 6. Final pair Danny and Twinkle batted confidently, Danny pulling a good boundary 4 and both remaining not out to gain 5 bonus runs and the Gladiators finish on 57 for 4 wickets from 8 overs.

Archie and Amy opened the bowling against the two Owen's, and it was to be Amy in the second over making the breakthrough (bowling, well, one of the Owen's) - 12 for 1 from 2 overs. Jack then bulled a great over and supported by Joe who got a great direct hit run-out, then Spencer conceded just 6 runs - 24 for 2 from 4 overs. Joe also bowled well, and got another run-out with a great stop and hit off his own bowling. Then his bowling partner Danny turned the game solidly in the Gladiators favour - direct hit run-out off his own bowling, a bowled and then Amy getting a run-out also - 36 for 6 from 6 overs. Final pair Flyn and Flora batted well without losing their wicket to gain 5 bonus runs, but Twinkle and Sam both bowled well. Falcons finish on 66 for 6 from 8 overs.

As before, 5 bonus runs gained for each wicket taken which led to reversal in the scores with Gladiators finishing on 87 for 4 wickets and Falcons 81 for 6 - a win for the Gladiators.

So all square on the night, but more importantly great to see all the young cricketers out and having fun. Many thanks to Falkland Falcons for hosting us.