NEWS

Fortress Gyle Unbreached

This week saw the top of the table clash with Clackmannan County 2's, who
were unbeaten so far, visiting the Gyle. The 3's had been looking forward to
this one all week with the chance to take top spot the big motivation.

We won the toss and put Clacks into bat, and Chappers and Macca opened the bowling.

The Clacks opening pair started well before Smith was caught for 17 by Kevin (back in the team after his recent school trip to Germany) off Macca and Ramsay going LBW to Macca for 9.

Fraggle and AJ came on first change and Clacks captain Malcolmson trying

to lift Fraggle over cover was out thanks to catch of the day by AJ getting great hang time and taking a fingertip catch. Arun claimed the next two wickets bowling Mitchell and getting Hutchinson caught at point by the Icecube.

Meanwhile the man who rescued the Clacks innings, Bryant-Nichols, was putting away the bad ball well more often than not over the boundary rope.

Kevin Meier came into the attack and despite being hit first ball over his head for 6 stuck at it and took 2, Taylor bowled for 5 and Band LBW for 0, for 15 off 5 overs, with the away captain commenting favourably on Kevin's performance.

This brought Alison Ramsay to the middle and despite AJ attempt to put her off by losing his trousers after a forward sliding dive accompanied Bryant-Nichols well until Will whilst executing a backward roll somehow managed to catch her on 6 from the bowling of Niccol.

Ahmed after a snorter from Macca was not keen to come forward and edged Macca to Fraggle at gully. Blair was next in and saw out the rest of the overs finishing on 9 and Bryant-Nichols on a well deserved 53.

After the famous Al Fresco Glye tea, Icecube and AJ set about the run chase
and despite the early fright of Arun getting dropped on 3 (it must have been
catching, pardon the pun, as we put down 6 very catchable chances which
needs to be addressed at training) got off to a great start with some great
drives from Lawrie and big hits over the bowlers head by Arun coupled with
watchful defensive shots. Lawrie was finally out LBW off Malcolmson after a
great knock for 43.

Fraggle went out only to return shortly after run out for 0. Will was next in and showed us a forward defensive stride Mikey Whealan, who did pop down for a visit, would have been proud of. Will hit a quick
6 before playing on.

Mooro was in next with 20 odd needed and got 10 of em in the usual watchful style we are all accustomed to Six, Four and Out (played on). AJ was sticking to his task well and despite Malcolmson giving Arun some good banter declined to have a big shot to his dangerous slow loopy but very accurate bowling. JK cut his first ball away for 4 and fittingly Arun hit the winning runs to finish on 67 not out, a top innings dispatching the right balls ruthlessly (eight 4's and one 6) and carrying his bat.

A great team performance, rewarded by taking top spot in the league

P CHAPMAN (8-1-24-0)
A MACONOCHIE (8-1-21-3)
F WEST (7-0-35-1)
A JAY (8-1-26-2)
K MEIER (5-0-15-2)
F NICCOL (4-0-18-1)

Arun Jay 67 not out
Dave Lawrie 43