Glens 3s - The Wait Is Over

Oh what a feeling. Glens 3s have waited over a season to feel the joy of winning a cricket match, and to do it in such a close hard fought game makes it so much sweeter.

On a day that nobody expected to play any cricket Glen's turned up to Livingston in relatively good weather. There was forecast showers through the afternoon but good enough to start the match.

It all started in strange circumstances with Captain Green winning the toss. Having to make a decision for the first time in a while decided with the potential of rain and possible a deteriorating pitch Green decided to take a bat. Although Glens have struggled setting targets Ian felt this was the best chance to get a good score on what seemed a good wicket at the time.

Sending out Glens new player Murray Forbes and wicket keeper Simon Kirkman to bat, they were looking to show this was the right decision to make. Jindal opening swinging the ball at one end and the pace of Bukhari at the other, both Forbes and Kirkman showing there batting credentials getting Glens off to a good start. Forbes initially taking his time to get his eye in having been away for a couple of years and Kirkman using scoring runs, favouring cutting the ball when provided the opportunity. Doing what good openers do they looked like seeing off the openers just as Kirkman edged one and was caught for 11 to bring out Joe Burton.

Forbes now getting his eye in he was now playing some lovely shots getting regular boundaries and a big 6. Joe doing what he does best keeping his wicket well, until he lifted one in the air and although lucky to be dropped he had decided to go for a kamikaze run to which he was dually run out. A Muir now coming out to bat and although short on confidence was given a new lease of life to play with some freedom with Glens already going well on 78-2 after 17 overs. Both going well before Forbes put one in the air getting caught having hit a very fine 67 to give Glens a great platform to build on, something very much missing from the last 2 games. C Muir came and went quickly for , obviously not wanting to hang about with his dad for long. To which I Green joined A Muir. Both batsman looking comfortable and Andy playing like his old self again without the pressure of staying in. playing some lovely strokes as he was going before eventually edging one behind with a great catch taken by M Lawson. Now Glens 3s are 132-5 with 11 overs left.

Ian (13) looking comfortable again. And at the non strikers end seeing the keeper fumble it behind thought he could steal a quick single, calling loudly and "sprinting" down the wicket before realising half way down that Qasim hadn't moved. Knowing he would not make it back carried on to notice Qasim would stand his ground to ensure his captain is run out. Qasim (16) then getting trapped LBW 2 balls later. So brand new pairing of J Lewis (6) and C Glasgow (4) out both adding to the score which was nice to see before Jay went big and go caught on the boundary and Glasgow getting caught. This ensuring young Ben morris getting a bat scoring 1 before being bowled leaving snook not out having not faced a ball. Glens 3s getting a very respectable 169 all out with a ball to go in the innings.

Feeling mildly confident Green was disappointed to see the rain set in as we ate teas, but luckily following a slightly extended tea we were able to get out to the task of bowling with a total to defend for once.

Opening with Qasim and the ever reliable Snook. Seeing Kumar and Lawson coming out to bat, and from previous knowledge knowing Glens were going to find it tough to get a break through. Snook and Qasim stuck to the task of bowling in difficult wet out field conditions trying to keep the ball dry, while Kumar was looking to open his shoulders regularly going for big shots which was paying off. Lawson also looking a very good batsman before Snook used his magic to get one through bat and pad to clean bowl him with Livingston 38-1 off 8 overs. H Short coming out to join Kumar. Although Qasim didn't get any wickets in his first 4 over spell he kept it very tight for 11 runs. Snook continuing right through his 8 overs with his usual tight bowling, which was made difficult with Kumar looking to go big at any chance finishing his 8 over spell 1 wicket for 48 runs. C Muir and J Lewis both bowling at the other end finding it difficult in the conditions, especially with both H Short and Kumar with there eye in looking to score at every opportunity. All of a sudden the 169 looked maybe a little short as at 17 overs they were 92-1 with Glenrothes now needing to dig deep.

Callum Glasgow came on to replace Snook and this paid dividends straight away clean bowling Short at the end of his 1st for 20 runs. and Qasim coming back on at the other end following drinks, and with Kumar now kicking on Livingston were now in a very healthy 120-2. Then the 22nd was a very big over and very much the changing point for Glenrothes 3s. Livingstons A Kumar must have been getting tips from Qasim on how to run out your captain and ensured a mix up in the middle to allow Jay Lewis with some fine fielding to get the run out of N Jarvis (7). Just 3 balls later C Glasgow getting the wicket of A Kumar LBW having hit a fine 65. The game now very much on with Livi 124-4. In Callum's next over he again struck clean bowling Bukhari. Qasim finishing off his 8 overs wicket-less for 36 runs.

Following on some quick runs off the last few overs Livingston looked well on there way now on 151-5. At this point the captain turning to our 12 yr old Ben Morris to show us how its done. And boy did he not disappoint. With Glens looking down and out Ben helped dig us out of a hole. 3 balls into his spell getting danger man Ghaffar (20) trapped LBW just as he was taking the game away. Next over C Glasgow getting Jindal to nick it behind for snook to roll back the years to take a fine catch at slip. All of a sudden Glens had a chance with Livingston 153-7. C Glasgow bowling out his 8 overs for fine figures of 4 wickets for 31 runs. Then Bens last 3 overs were sublime. He bowled line and length, and was getting the batsman all tied up with his fine bowling. In his 3rd over getting Wilson trapped LBW as he was finding spaces for a few singles looking solid. Going into his last over Livingston needing 6 runs to win and Glens needing 2 wickets. Pressure on, especially for a young 12 year old you would think. But Ben Morris thrived on the pressure and continued his fine bowling, first of all getting Burgess caught by Muir who was in close. Then his final ball getting Jindal trapped LBW to give Glens 3s there first win in 631 days. A fine match winning performance for what will no doubt continue to improve and be a fine cricketer throughout his cricketing life. Words cannot describe the performance Ben put in, especially in such difficult circumstances.

All in all a fine team performance with everyone contributing with the bat, and although tough in the field, everyone continuing on until the last ball was bowled to help support Glens for the win. I could call out many performances, with M Forbes batting being on obvious with the bat and C Glasgow and Snook looking great with the ball, but if we picked a man of the match, it would have to be Ben Morris with his fine spell at the death to give Glens a win from what looked like a losing position, Well done Ben and keep up the good work.