Honours Shared at Dollar

A mixed XI made the relatively short trip to Dollar today to play a 30 overs a-side pre-season friendly.

Through a captains agreement, Glenrothes batted first and were soon in trouble as an excellent opening spell by home bowler T Dillon (3 for 23 from 6 overs) saw Glenrothes struggling on the green-top pitch at 39 for three from nine overs.

Sufyan Ahmed (38) was to give the Glens team some mid-inning impetus with a number of boundary shots, but his dismissal at 75 for 4 in the 14th over saw three other wickets quickly fall - M Tinsley taking 3 for 12 from 4 overs.

It was Mayank Sautiyal (43 retired not out) batting at number nine to lead the Glens to a very competitive total of 166 for nine at the end of their 30 overs.

The mid-innings tea break was a welcome relief for all - getting indoors away from the biting winds but also for the quality of teas on display. Seemed a shame to have to pick out one item as the worst (we were of course asked to do so) and so it was the pastrami sandwiches on white to take the (dis)honour.

For the second innings, Dollar openers S Breezley and M Tinsley soon had the home team in confident mood as they batted with little trouble and keeping the scoreboard ticking over at a good pace.

It was to be skipper Qasim Ahmad to make the breakthrough though, as he trapped Tinsley LBW for 20. This though brought C Glasgow to the crease and he soon showed his intent with hitting a number of excellent boundary shots.

But it was to be the increase in pace from change bowler Sautiyal (2 for 15 from 4) to swing the game Glens way, first bowling opener Breezeley for 18 and then having Glasgow caught by wicket-keeper James Slingsby for 22 from a ball that lifted sharply. Dollar 76 for 4 in the 11th over, well ahead of the run rate.

The two quick wickets seemed to knock the Dollar confidence though, and there was to be further wickets to fall with Sufyan Ahmad, Kevin Le Roux and Urvish Patel all taking two wickets each.

It was to be big cheers for others though to take the plaudits, as the ever-improving Garry Tighe took a catch at square leg and was soon followed by young Ben Krzyzanowski taking a catch at point as Dollar were bowled out for 110 in the 23rd over.

But as a pre-season friendly and with the aim of giving everyone as much game time as possible, Dollar batted on.

Which was to prove a great experience for everyone, as Dollar showed their excellent potential with S McMorrow (having suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the game) battling through to hit 23 not out and the returning Breezley hitting, well, a breezy 25 not out to see Dollar just sneak past Glenrothes total in the final over.

Honours even for the day! A huge thanks to all at Dollar for hosting the game so well.