Good Win For 2nds

Two Wickets For Emma in Debut

Breadalbane (3) : 62 all out in 31 overs.
(E Halliwell (j) 2 for 2, C Hepburn 2 for 4)

Falkland 2nd XI (25) : 64 for 6 in 29 overs.
(E Rae 3 for 17, G Douthwaite 2 for 10)

Falkland 2nd XI beat Breadalbane by 4 wkts

With a shed load of call offs this weekend, the 2nd XI were more a 2nd/3rd XI hybrid. An awesome mix of drinkers, sorry, experience and youth, headed to Aberfeldy for the game against Breadalbane. “Bread – All – Bane” according to the days stand in Skipper Danny Caldwell. Making his debut as captain, Danny didn’t start the day well. He pronounced the opposition team name wrong AND was stuck with “Chatty” Mike Watson as a travel companion on the 90 minute drive. However things were to improve.

Caldwell won the toss and decided to have a bowl. After listening to Mike's stories about playing up in Aberfeldy in 1973 and getting 9 wickets, Caldwell fell for it and asked Mike to open up. At the other end was promising youngster Ryan “Safehands” Jennings. Both bowlers set the standard for the rest. Ryan bowled an awesome spell of 5 overs. At times too good for the opening batsmen, and when they did manage to get ball to bat Caldwell in the field kept dropping them. Ryan finished on 1 for 25 off his 5 overs but deserved more wickets and bowled against the best 2 batters the opposition had. Mike also had a cracking opening spell. 5 overs, 0 for 14. New LBW rules that have obviously come in this year meant Mike left with no wickets. “Not out because it hit his back leg” was the reason given by the umpire. Mike obviously took this decision and explanation well.

Skipper Caldwell had seen enough so made a double bowling change. Jamie the Aitken Express came on along with Craig Hepburn. The Aitken Express took a a wicket with his first ball. A horrible half tracker down the legside was enough to tempt the batsman into a shot. Ryan Jennings taking his first of a few catches. Hepburn got in on the act, his accurate thumb ticklers were good enough to pick up 2 wickets. Aitken kept running in for the team in sweaty conditions and ended a fine spell with 2 wickets for 6 runs off 7 overs. More amazingly was that only 1 run was scored off the bat in that spell.

Realising the situation, Caldwell brought on some young up and coming talent to have a bowl. Himself. Operating at the golf course end, Caldwell bowled 3 tight overs picking up 1 wicket for 2 runs. Edging him closer to the bowling award for the 2nd XI. At the other end Barclay Jnr came on. Aaron bowled very well and was backed up with some awesome fielding by Barclay Snr. Amazingly Ritchie was hopeless in the field all day, but when his son was bowlng turned into Jonty Rhodes. Aaron picked up 2 wickets in 2 balls at the end of his first over. A hattrick chance!!!! The hattrick ball was middle by the batsman onto his pad though, yet there were 2 players appealing. Aaron and Ritchie Barclay!!!!! There was a lovely moment for Aaron’s second wicket, Dad Ritchie taking the catch. No I’m not joking.

Next up to get a bowl was Emma Halliwell. Whilst her mother was away exploring the hills of Aberfeldy, and subsequently falling down said hills, Emma was making history. She bowled 2 very tidy and impressive overs of spin taking 2 wickets for 2 runs. She will be disappointed she couldn’t take the 3rd wicket as she dropped a very tough catch off her own bowling. The first female to play for the 2nd XI, the first female to take senior wickets and the first female to bring her own paparazzi to the game.

The last of the youth players in the team was Peter Matthews. Pete came on and bowled a lovely over of spin. One that made skipper Caldwell realise that he gave Mike Watson 5 overs too many and that he should of opened with bullet arm Pete. Peter was brilliant in the field and kept spirits high with his throws back to the bowler. “sorry Craigy”....”Sorry Bakey”...... “Sorry Mike” was regularly heard from Mr Matthews!!!!!!!!

All in all, a cracking bowling and fielding display by the 2nd XI. A lovely tea was consumed and the batter order was decided. 63 was the target.

Craig Hepburn and Ritchie Barclay opened up. Ritchie was told to play sensible, hold an end and keep the scoreboard ticking over. Craig was asked by Danny to go out and smash it. Try and take the game to them and look to chase down the 62 runs in record quick time. “ideally we can get this done and dusted early so we get home sharp, Craig”! Craig was out for zero in his first over!!!!! Caldwell starting to have doubts about his decision making. Ritchie at least listened to his captain's instructions. He played well, and despite the fact he couldn’t hit the ball off the square or run he managed to score a very creditable 23. Regular wickets fell at the other end with a mix of poor shots and poor luck. Harry Ferguson was definitely the unluckiest one out there. A ball from the opening bowler decided it didn’t want to bounce at all. A shooter. Wayne Sullivan was sent in to steady the ship. Wayne has played for 40 years. A top class batsman that would not be phased by the regular wickets falling. Wayne knew he just needed to play safe and pick the bad ball. Wayne was run out for 1!!!!!!!!!

It was a time for calm, and Mike Watson brought that. Playing with young Aaron Ritchie, Mike played sensibly. Aaron supported him well with a lovely disciplined innings. The winning runs were hit in the 29th over. An awesome result and performance from the hybrid team.

The young team deserve huge credit.

2nd XI onlooker