GCC 1st XI start season with convincing win over Carlton 2nd XI

Opening bowlers Farooq Khan and Iain Georgeson started off bowling very tightly, giving away very few runs and it wasn't long before veteran fast bowler Georgeson made the breakthrough, getting the first wicket with Macpherson trapped LBW. Both opening bowlers continued to keep the run rate down; but with no wickets falling skipper Dale changed the attack by bringing on Chris Greaves to replace Georgeson. Greaves continued the trend of keeping the run rate down but with no further wickets taken the skipper made another bowling change as Khan was replaced by Kenny Crichton. This change brought instant success as Crichton took the wicket of Burns, bowled with a delivery that is known as a good nut.

Next to the crease was Well, who played some nice shots before being trapped LBW from the bowling of Greaves for 13 runs. This then brought R Macpherson to the crease who again looked comfortable. Skipper Dale then changed the bowling by bringing dogged all rounder Stephen Rowley to replace Greaves, and once again Rowley bowled his 10 overs straight through with impressive figures.

Skipper Dale then made a double bowling change with Richard Evason replacing Crichton and Dale himself replacing Rowley, with the latter getting the next wicket from an unplayable full toss, bowling the unlucky Macpherson for 12. Evason bowling from the other end also kept the bowling tight with few runs coming off either bowler. The next batsman in was Carlton skipper Pietsch, who made his intentions clear from the start. This was to speed up the run rate, and that he did, playing some aggressive shots to all parts of the ground.

Pietsch had good support from the remaining opening batsman Shah so yet another bowling change, was made with Greaves coming back into the attack to bowl out his remaining overs. Shah was the next batsman to give up his wicket, getting out just short of his half century, caught in the deep by Guy Robinson from the bowling of Greaves.

Glenrothes struck again by getting Lenney run out with a smart bit of fielding by Darren Lewis in the deep for 15. With the over closing out the Carlton skipper really started to take on the bowling attack with some big hitting, but was eventually bowled for a fine knock of 52 runs. This took the Carlton total to 172 for 6 after their 50 overs. A good effort from Glenrothes in the field and some top bowling.

After tea, Glenrothes opening pair of Willie Morrison and Stephen Rowley started the innings in solid fashion; particularly Rowley who took the attack to the Carlton opening bowlers Lenney and Pietsch. The score raced to 28 before the first wicket fell, with Morrison caught from the bowling of Lenney. This brought Chis Greaves to the crease and the runs came quickly, with both players playing some fine shots to all parts of the ground.

Together Rowley and Greaves put on a partnership of over 100 runs, with both players passing half centuries before Rowley was out LBW to the bowling of Pietsch for a fine 54. Skipper Ian Dale was next to the crease and he along with Greaves, took the score to 173 to ensure victory (Greaves 86 not out and Dale 6 not out) with 10 overs to spare.