RBGE at North Berwick THIS SUNDAY 19 JULY

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Hi Folks

RBGE have a few spare places for a 40-over a-side Sunday friendly against Bass Rock at North Berwick this Sunday 19 July 2009.

Please let me know by the usual means if interested.

Cheers Iain

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Match report: (from Mark Watson RBGE Cptn)

Yesterday we had an excellent game at North Berwich against Bass Rock. The weather was kind to us, the sun shone and the stiff breeze helped dry out the pitch after recent rain – it also removed the bails on a regular basis during the game.

After winning the toss we elected to bat. Not a great start as Ian Shiels was bowled in the first over for no score (elsec: me thinks the errr late night didnt help)With Sutha and Srihary not yet arrived (elsec: the joys of SatNav)Chris Minty was quickly promoted up the order with team orders to keep a tight ship and just hit the bad ones. Chris and I nudged and nurdled our way through some overs and some lusty blows by Mr Fox helped tick the score along. The wicket was very green and soft with very variable bounce (in all directions) and adding the strong cross wind batting was a challenge. Mr Fox holed out for an excellent 23 having stabilised the innings. Another couple of quick wickets saw Sutha join the fray with more team orders to put defence before attack. Again some secure overs went by and the score ticked on as the over tally turned 30. Sutha now had his eye in and could play freely with some quick running. I kept up my end but was run out after a call mixup – out for 24. Our lower order batsmen played well, helped by Bass Rock's inability to take catches, and supported Sutha to his superb 75 not out. Botanics posting 151 for 6 with our 40 overs.



Bass Rock replied with some quick scoring in the early overs, but wickets fell regularly, particularly to Sutha in his first spell with the new ball (England take heed!). Botanics fielding was excellent both in taking catches and getting the ball back quickly. Neil Cummings stared behind the stumps, making light of the variable pace and bounce. Srihary was very economical bowling through his 8 overs and was unfortunate not to get a wicket. Iain Martin bowled a very good first over (1 for 1) then tore his calf muscle on the first ball of his next over – a great disappoint for Iain having just returned from anther injury. (elsec: ouch!!!! GRRRRR )

With one of our strike bowlers off the pitch two of our youngsters were thrown into the fray – Jonty Sharkey and Stuart Pringle both acquitted themselves well in the trying conditions. But with runs coming freely it was time to bring back Sutha and Ian Sheils to dry them up. Sutha got the breakthrough and Ian was unlucky not to take a wicket, but both were economical. With all our main strike bowlers finished there were still 10 overs to bowl and not many runs to play with. Up stepped Rob Fotheringham to bowl his 'bombs', confusing himself and the opposition batsmen. No wickets but a frugal couple of overs to nudge up the run rate. Stuart returned from the other end, into the wind this time, and quickly got into to groove with accurate bowling. It was now getting tight, with Bass Rock needing 13 off 3 over with 3 wickets left. The batsmen had just started to work Frothy away for a few runs and so it was time to bring the Mighty Minty into the attack at the death, but not before Stuart had his next over. Another brilliant over by Stuart taking two wickets in two balls – he was up for a hat-trick to their last batsman, but it was not to be. Chris had his chance and was economical, and could have sealed the game if Ian S had kept hold of a catch at very short fine leg. Tension was high as Stuart ran into bowl his last over with very few runs to play with, and he claimed the last wicket to win the game with an amazing cutter. A tight game and a marvellous win! Botanics fielding was very good with only a few catches being dropped. Derek Sharkey put in a grand effort in the field – the ball just kept going to him.



Well done lads, and well done Sutha who was Man of the Match!


***THE NEXT GAME FOR BOTANICS IS ON THURSDAY 23rd***



Please let MARK WATSON ([e-mail])know your availability for Thursday, Inverleith Park 6pm vs Eccentric Flamingos (VERY SOCIAL BEER MATCH).

FOR THOE NOT AWARE OF THE BOTANICS SET-UP, TEAM SELECTION PRIORITY NORMALLY GOES TO RBGE STAFF, REGULARS AND THEN FILLED UP BY INTERESTED MURRAYFIELD DAFS PLAYERS. STANDARD IS COMPETITIVE 3RD/4TH TEAM-ISH.... BUT YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW :-)