3rd’s Finish on a High

Good Win too Conclude Season

Falkland 3 (20) : 211 for 7 in 40 overs.
(R Nellies 66, H Ferguson 33, D Dey 3 for 45, T Chakraborty 2 for 29)

Musselburgh 3 (9) : 181 all out in 38.2 overs.
(R Chambers 50, I Patterson 31, R Nellies 4 for 15, A Barclay 2 for 28)

Falkland 3 beat Musselburgh 3 by 30 runs

At the end of a challenging season a bottom of the table clash with Musselburgh provided Falkland with the perfect opportunity to finish with a victory.

Falkland lost the toss and were put in to bat with Richie Barclay and Gregor Lawson looking to lay the foundations for a competitive total. As was often the case in Division 7 the oppositions opening bowlers proved to be accurate in turn frustrating the batsman, restricting the score and then taking two quick wickets to leave Falkland 32 for 2. Despite this setback, Falkland were fortunate to have the experience and skill of Robbie Nellies at 3 who started to tick the scoreboard over, ably supported by Iain Collins. Robbie brought up a fine 50 and an 108 run 3rd wicket partnership before Iain was bowled for 23. Having anchored the innings, Robbie departed for 66 caught in the covers. With Falkland's highest total of the season in sight, Jamie Aitken produced some big hitting falling LBW for 22 and Harry Ferguson added a quick fire 33 setting Musselburgh a 212 target for victory.

Having set the highest total of the season, Falkland were feeling extremely confident, but also determined not to let this opportunity pass them by. Musselburgh made a confident start,punishing any loose deliveries and it took the first bowling change to seize some initiative. Gregor Lawson trapping the opener LBW and the following over he repeated the trick with his 2nd LBW. Falkland knew the next wicket would be critical, but in similar vain to the Falkland innings, a 3rd wicket partnership looked to shift the momentum. A contentious no ball decision which took the top of off-stump could have swung the game in Musselburgh’s favour, but Falkland shrugged off this setback to remove the danger men. Firstly, Peter Matthews found the edge after another disciplined spell of leg-spin, before that man Robbie Nellies, with figures of 4-15, clean bowled the new batsman and trapped the dangerous number 5 LBW. With the run rate increasing, Falkland continued to apply the pressure. Andrew Gibson, under the added burden of his first overs in adult cricket, restricted the runs further with some controlled bowling. Excitement was added with another Robbie Nellies wicket and a Run-out thanks to Arran Barclay’s excellent throw, before the same player on his second bowling spell took 2 quickfire wickets clean bowled. Falkland only needed 1 wicket to assure victory with the opposition now needing 30 to win from 12 balls and Robbie Nellies duly obliged removing the tail enders middle stump to cheers from the side lines.

It was an enthralling game to end the season with the welcome support of the 2nd team from the boundary adding to the atmosphere. Special thanks to Phil Gibson for stepping in as our 11 man.

Harry Ferguson