Wardle the Chief Destroyer as 3s Run Continues at Leith

Another Saturday saw yet another trip across the Forth for Glenrothes CC 3rd XI, this time to take on Leith FAB. This was the team who had provided the sternest test for the Glens so far when they met earlier this season, and this was to be the case this time around too.

Skipper Andy McAulay lost the toss again and was immediately asked to bat first on a green topped wicket that was also a bit on the rough side. McAulay himself and Chris Yarwood opened the Glens innings with both batsmen getting off the mark early with shots through the offside. Unfortunately however Yarwood fell early when he was bowled for 3. This brought Libin Thomas out to join McAulay but he too fell early with the total on 29, with Barras taking both wickets. Brett Wardle then came out to join the skipper, but with the total on 40 McAulay was next to go. Having grafted his way to 21 he was surprised a delivery from Sanjay who after bowling a succession of wides, got one to pitch on middle and the hit the top of off stump, much to the batsman’s amazement.

The Glens middle order looked very solid with Joe Burton in particular playing nicely and rotating the strike at regular intervals before he was unfortunately run out by Darren Palmer who had come to the wicket with score on 88. Palmer however was to make amends for this with a big hitting 39 not out including 20 from one over. Keith Graveling then Malcolm Neil ably supported the big Aussie and the Glens innings finished on 156. It must be said however that their cause was ably assisted by the 45 extras generously donated by the home team.

After a very nice tea, Glens took the field with Keith Graveling and Malcolm Neil forming an all left arm opening attack. Leith opener Fraser and No 3 Vinu looked very solid however, and things were beginning to look a bit ropey for the Glens. With the Leith total now on 113-5 after 32 overs they needed 44 more off the final 8 overs to win.

At this point, McAulay called for the man who turned out to be the match winner for Glenrothes, big Brett Wardle. Brett’s slow paced in swing bowling was ideally suited to the slow pitch and proved miles too good for the home batsmen. A spectacular collapse then ensued and Leith lost their last 5 wickets for only 7 runs in 5 overs with Wardle the destroyer in chief. Brett’s fantastic spell of 6 overs yielded figures of 7 for 14 and Leith ended on 120 all-out. So the Glens were home and dry with their 100% league record intact after a superb all round team performance to which everyone contributed. Special congratulations must however go to Brett Wardle for his match winning spell of bowling.

McAulay hands the reigns back to skipper Gould next week on his return from holiday, delighted to do so with the 100% winning start to the season maintained.