West Lothian 1st XI Glenrothes 1st XI

Glenrothes extended their lead at the top of the table thanks to a convincing win against West Lothian followed by second place RH Corstorphine slipping up at Grange.

Glenrothes batted first with Alec Davies and Graeme Beghin opening. The wicket was doing a little and nipping around and it wasn't long before the first wicket fell, that of Alec Davies caught for 7. Chris Greaves was the new batsman and again looked good with him and Graeme batting carefully and taking singles when they could. unfortunately Chris felt for one outside off stump and was caught behind for 11 with the score on 44. Ben Wilkinson was next in but unfortunately after hitting a 6 was then given out LBW the very next ball. Robbie Wright came out to the crease next but was ran out for 3. He called yes for a single and made it more than half way down the pitch but to be turned around and not quite making it back into his crease despite the dive. The score was now 78/4 and Vasu came out to join Graeme. Vasu started slowly but both got going and Graeme soon passed his fifty which was his 3rd in 4 games. Vasu started to pick up speed and soon also got to the fifty mark, his first for GCC. with the score on 166 Graeme finally fell for 72 a great innings which included 8 fours and a six. Fraser Gosse the new batsman tried to get the score going and hammered a straight drive which looked destined for the boundary but for the bowler to catch it one handed. Vasu was net out after trying to go for the big shot over cow corner but unfortunately it went straight up and he was caught and bowled for 63. Scott Lucas came in and back out LBW for 2 so it was upto Dodds jnr(5*) and Kenneth Crichton(9*) to get GCC to 50 overs finishing on 202/8.

Vasu and Kenny opened the bowling and started very well with the first 8 overs only going for 13 runs with Kenny having picked up the first wicket. the change of bowling helped West Lothian as when Robbie Wright came on the batsman looked to attack and along with a few misfields which went for 4 their innings got going. Thankfully Kenny Crichton at the other end got another wicket the score now 29/2. West Lothians overseas player Denby has been on great form lately and was looking good here again but when Darren Lewis came on to bowl he managed to get him trapped infront LBW for 29. The loss of this wicket seemed to hit West Lothian hard as their innings slowed right up again and continued to lose wickets. Daz picking up another and ending with figures of 2/23 and Chris picking up 2 with his figures being 2/31. both could have had 3 wickets but for Robbie dropping a catch off each of their bowling. The score now 91/7 and Scott Lucas came on to bowl aswell as the return of Kenny. Scott got 1 wicket caught by Beghin and Kenny got another 2 to end with figures of 4/12 off 10 overs- truly remarkable figures. Dodds jnr came on to bowl and bowled well getting the last wicket, his first for GCC 1st XI.

A good performance in the end but it could have been better in the field just like last week with dropped catches and numerous misfields. hopefully some work on fielding at training and back to normal next week.