Scunnered at Scroggie

Glenrothes 1st XI opened their Breedon Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union (SPCU) Division 1 2021 campaign with defeat against Falkland 2nd XI at Scroggie Park, Falkland.

Having won the toss and choosing to bat, Falkland soon found themselves under pressure against opening bowlers Andy Mudie and Chris Marshman, with Mudie picking up an early wicket with May dragging on from a pull shot.

Mudie was to take a second wicket, with Paton pushing a leading edge to Ani Apparaju at cover. Marshman (three for 26) then earned due reward, with Donaldson taking a catch for his first at mid-on and then claiming a double wicket-maiden in his next over with two well placed yorkers. Falkland 28 for 5 wickets from 10 overs.

Opening part Ferguson was joined by home skipper Sullivan, and they batted sensibly to rebuild the innings through regular singles and twos to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Sensibly also means being relaxed and playing with confidence, though Sullivan was possibly a bit too relaxed as a quick release and strong throw from Jordan Smith in the outfield had Sullivan having to put the boosters on and somersaulting through his crease to be safe.

Ferguson was lucky not to be dismissed as Craig Waters almost held on to a diving catch at mid-wicket, but he could only "tip the ball round the post". Sullivan was also lucky to be given not out from a stumping by Culleton off the bowling of Charlie Burton.

With first-change bowler Apparaju bowling his nine overs straight through for the loss of only 17, it was to be the returning Mudie (three for 37) who made the breakthrough, having Ferguson caught by wicket-keeper Paul Culleton for 28.

With Georgeson picking up the 7th wicket, thanks to a good catch by Marshman at mid-on, Sullivan was joined by Meikle for a quick-fire 40 run partnership before Sullivan was run out for an excellent 54 thanks to good fielding between Waters and Mudie.

Meikle got to 24 not out thanks to quick running, but with Gibson run-out by dead-eye Mudie off his own bowling Falkland ended 139 for nine from their 45 overs. But for a couple of dropped catches and a couple of very close stumpings and run outs the score could have been much less.

Glenrothes opened the second innings with Mudie and Joe Burton, with both batting comfortably before Mudie was caught by Morris at cover for 17 off the bowling of Gibson. He was soon followed by Burton, trapped LBW by Halliwell and then Marshman LBW to Jennnings with Glenrothes 35 for 3 from 20 overs.

With the scoring rate slowing as the innings progressed, Apparaju and Steven Donaldson consolidated well and took the score to 73 before Donaldson missed the ball to be bowled by veteran Watson.

Smith was next to the crease and with Apparaju looked untroubled, to help push the scoring rate up - but at 105 for 4 there was to be a collapse as Glenrothes started chasing runs. Gibson claiming two wickets in one over, first Smith bowled and then Culleton trapped LBW - batter adamant there was an inside edge.

With the run-rate just beginning to creep up again, the batters keenness to push for quick singles was to be their undoing as three run-outs soon brought the innings to a close - Ali King may have got in if he had grounded his bat but Georgeson and Burton were well short in their attempts.

Glenrothes bowled out for 121 in the 43rd over. An excellent game, and great credit to the young Falkland team to recover their batting from a rocky start and then holding their nerve in the field.