Mission Accomplished !!!!!!!

Glenrothes 3s entertained nearest rivals Holy Cross 3s and, in fact, the only team that could stop them winning the league on Saturday at Gilvenbank. Glens only needed 6 points from the game to clinch the title and this was uppermost in Gouldy's mind throughout the game.

With Livingston CC having conceded their game with Glens 2s , it was decided that the 3s would have use of the main square and Groundsman John Bell prepared a strip, that although a bit damp and slightly muddy, it was hoped it would dry out sufficiently by the time of the game. This was not to be and when the 2 skippers viewed the wicket they both decided to swap the match back to the artificial.

Holy Cross won the toss and elected to bat, not surprising seeing as skipper Andy Graham has been in lethal form with the bat in recent weeks. Skipper Craig Gould entrusted the new ball to Andy McAulay , with Kenny Paton at the other end.
Both bowlers bowled a tight line and restricted the HX openers to very few runs. Andy took opener Nevins middle stump in the 5th over and after 10 overs HX had only posted 16 runs. Change bowlers Awais Ali and Brett Wardle continued the frugality with some good line and length, and in the case of Awais some frightening pace. Awais took his first wicket in the 13th over when Parker skied one deep between midwicket and Mid on, Gouldy covered the ground with amazing ease for a big lad, screamed out for the responsibility of taking the catch forcing the onrushing Muhammed Talha to pull out of his charge, and as the ball came down from a great height , Gouldy got under it, adjusted his feet and took a fine catch - much to the surprise of all watching ! This brought big hitting hockey player and HX skipper Graham to the crease, but even he was finding it difficult to get the ball away. Wardle claimed opener Din's scalp in the 20th over and at drinks HX were 44 for 3. With 8 overs to use up before allowing his main bowlers back on Gould brought Talha and himself one, and unfortunately the two part time bowlers were soon put to the sword, mainly by Graham with any loose ball being punished and also plenty of good ones too. At he end of the 28th over HX had pushed on dramatically to 134 for 3. Ali and Wardle came back on and Awais claimed the scalps of both encumbent batsmen. Graham finally out for a swashbuckling 68 including 6 sixes.
Glens then dominated again in the field, taking the final 4 wickets ( HX only had 10 men) for27 runs. McAulay adding another 2 to his tally, including a catch taken by stepson George Gawthrop and another by Nick Diston behind the stumps. Nick also assisted in a run out, hurling the ball to Andy Mac at the bowlers end to remove Kapp. Kenny Paton got in on the act too, and deservedly so with ethe wicket of Howlett.
HX ended on 167, which in hindsight should have been a lot less, with Glens experiencing a lull in concentration in the middle spell of the innings and missing out on several relatively easy run out chances.

Pick of the bowling figures was Awais with 3 for 15 from 8 overs, Andy with 3 for 13 from 7.2 and KP with 1 for 16 from 7.

Glens started the reply, knowing that 70 runs would give them the first batting point and also their 6th bonus point of the day which would mean they were div 8 champions. Skipper Gould briefed his top order that this was the target, and until 70 was on the board nothing else mattered.
Andy McAulay and Eddie Gibbs were the opening pair and amidst some very fine and tight bowling looked comfortable in the opening overs, until Eddie succumbed with a hafl hit drive and was caught at mid on for his first duck in 4 years. Brett Wardle joined Andy in the middle and the pair slowly pushed the score on. Andy was out in the 17th over when he was caught at cow corner and Andy Muir joined sicknote in the middle. At drinks ( 20 overs) Glens were on 63 and 2 overs later Glens had breached the 70 run mark and Gouldy gave the shout of "championees" and went to the shops to buy bubbly and beers for the celebration !!!!!
Victor was caught on 18 , with the scorre on 97, bringing Nick Diston in who lasted 2 balls, scoring 1 run. Ian Green at no. 6 faired even worse - also lasting 2 balls but for no runs and a mini collapse had started. Muhammed Talha came in next and he and Brett steadied the ship and began to set about the HX bowlers.
In 7 overs Glens went from 113 to match winners, thanks to some lusty blows from Big Brett who had grown tired of running singles as he sprinted on to an amazing ( and unfortunate) 97 not out. Talha supported him well scoring 16 in the process.

It ended up a convincing victory to Glens and a fine way to win the league.

The aforementioned bubbly and beers were cracked open afterwards and shared with some of the HX lads who had stayed behind.

Two final home games beckon for Glens ( weather permitting) and am sure the guys selected will be able to relax and enjoy and express themselves as Gould will mix things up a bit in the bowling and batting orders.

As skipper this year I have to say I have been very proud of every player that has turned out for the 3rd XI and they have all contributed to this league title. I always felt that winning div 8 was unfinished business for me after last year and to do so losing only 1 game thus far fills me with a great sense of achievement and justification. Onwards and Upwards for the 3rd XI next year.
Craig Gould