Crieff won just their third
league win of the season at home to Breadalbane on
Sunday. Both teams were determind to attempt to play the
tie despite heavy cloud cover, persistent drizzle,
occasional heavy rain showers and sporadic rumbling
thunder echoing across the Strathearn valley. Captain
Leon DeLange won the toss and sent the visitors in to
bat.
The grass wicket had
stood up remarkably well to the adverse weather. The
sodden outfield however had the Crieff bowlers
struggling to maintain their balance and rhythm during
their approach to the wicket. Liberal quantities of
sawdust was scattered to try and create some traction.
Skipper DeLange also opted to keep his opening bowlers
on for the full ten over spells in order to help their
consistency. Credit then is due to the home attack who
despite not being able to bowl the opposition out
nonetheless limited Breadalbane to one hundred and
thirty one off forty six overs.
Conditions steadily
improved throughout the afternoon and Crieff made full
use of this. The usual phlegmatic start by the home team
openers was broken with the total on twenty two, N
Watters being clean bowled for seven. The arrival of
Mohammed Anjum at the crease signified a major change of
pace. From only twenty nine deliveries M Anjum made
forty six before being very well caught on the
mid-wicket boundary attempting another outrageous six.
The pick-up in tempo was maintained by P Mestecky whose
total of twelve was made up of three sweetly struck
fours. Keith Keldie made thirty three. His departure
ushered in Cameron Gauld who with Leon DeLange saw
Crieff home, the boundary shots continuing remorselessly
until the end of the game.
A total of one
hundred and thirty two off only twenty eight completed
overs represents a clinical and efficient performance by
Crieff in very challenging circumstances. Hopefully much
of the better aspects of this game will be in evidence
for the next league contest against Brechin CC on
Saturday, 8th July.
Junior players are
advised that Monday evening training sessions will
restart in August. Games have been arranged for the Kwik
Cricket U-13 league during the summer and queries should
be directed to Alan via the website at www.crieffcricketclub.co.uk
