RHC LIONS

RHC vs Stew Mel at Inverleith – Sat 1st Aug

Bowlers Slam Home Advantage

Another day, another toss won by Mclaren. No Paddy still (away shepherding the U17s to 2nd place) but we welcomed back Gordie Allan and Jay Arun and Tim managed to steer clear of work for another Saturday.

Mommsen got a dubious decision 3rd ball up, well done the track to a seamer for Corrie Old Boy Vishal Shah. Jay got value for his shots through the V with 4 glorious slaps over mid off as he and Kev McLaren set about rebuilding the innings. Vishal did plenty but went at 4s for the first time this season. Coyley at the other end doing his McGrath’s Metronomic Best at the other end going at less than 2’s – Coyley got to be the nicest lad in the league. No further drama until the 11th over, with Jay also going lb, this time also looking a bit high and down leg side – hutching Jay for a well crafted 22. Looking forward to watching Jay become the Ones player he definitely is… adding some much needed dynamism up top, and allowing Mommsen to just do his thing. Craigie’s poor run continues, his early season Freuchie form long distant… - nicking one off Perthshire old boy Crouchie to Burgess behind the timbers for 4. Suddenly we were 43 for 3 off 15.

Wicket was a bit low and slow and nipping about a bit and the chat in the score hut was simple. Which team would have a batsman who would hang about and design an innings to suit. Kev’s hand went up and he settled down for a long stay, patiently punishing the odd loose ball off Crouch – definite shot of the day, a slog sweep way over deep mid. Brockie also got a big six off him as Shah and Brock were sent home at 3.5 and 4.2 an over… crucial runs in a clear low scorer.

Rob, definitely the man we all want to see back in touch looked to be reading from Kev’s manual… hanging about, scarpering the odd single, adding 10 in a partnership of 38 with Coach Kev before he nicked one off Brockie. Shame, yes it took 8 overs to score 10 but form will come for Rob and we all look forward to seeing his court form convert on a cut strip.

Matty came and delivered… adding 57 with Kev for a solid 18… as Kev mixed singles with 5 fours and 2 sixes… before he hit one to mid off, Crouchie stottering back the way to pouch one.

138 for 5 in the 45th… Kev on 66 and very well set for an Edinburgh away style slap in the last five, with his chum and yours, big Tim. Tim however hadn’t read the script and departed for a donut and out trotted Lee ‘the chat’ Evans who gave Kev the eyes and not the legs on a quick single to cover, leaving the skipper, coach and in form bat stranded on 72 in the 46th. Suddenly 180-190 was a no-go as we slumped to 147 for 7 in the 46th, 149 for 8 in the 27th… as Az left a straight one to allow Vishal’s fourth.

Debutant Young Lion Kev Meier strode out, putting bat to ball, hanging with Fleming for a few scampers… Ally looking to play the nurdle to third man when yours truly would prefer the odd carve over point to medium pace… Gordie and Ally added 7 for the last wicket after Kev allowed a clean bowled to gift Vishy an ish-deserved 5 for 42 off 10… Corrie scoring 158 for 9 in 50.

Lovely tea, spiced up by a Jimmy Moran homebaked cake… Bowlers had the bit between their teeth, and with a match ball fetched from Barnton out they strode as the sun shone through… and thankfully, normal service was resumed. For Paddy read Azhar as Beedz joined Gordie in a supremely tight spell of bowling from the outset. Gordie went for 2.1 in ten, nabbing a clean bowled and a nibble to Flem from his spell…. Gordie has been a lesson in tight wicket to wicket bowling this season, mixing some bad hair with some impeccable hoop and nip off the deck. Pleasure having you here Gordon and despite your coaching antics abroad, long may we see you in blue and gold chief (his last 39 overs going for just 68 runs this season is a lesson for all to learn from)… Azhar, black socks gleaming, shirt untucked steamed in from the windy end and started up with three maidens – just to make sure Gordie didn’t get lonely. His first wicket came the ball immediately after Logan, pouched safely by P at gully. Again, the art of working in pairs here. Paddy would have been proud! His spell came and went 7 – 4 – 1 – 10. Well done Beedz and welcome back son… On came Midsummer Murderer Matthew Holstein, whose blistering form with ball in hand has continued apace since his 6-19 against Freuchie in early July. As he nears an embrace with Gemma back home his form has come on strong. Stu-Mel got a further dose of Kiwi aggression as our Southpaw magician twirled away for ten straight overs, ridding us first of the dangerous Jimmy Moran, whose promising cake did not herald a return to 2008 form, pouched safely by a diving Mommsen at midwicket (one for the cameras, Lulu’s chicks and hairdressers the world over!), then Vishal to a wild and immature stroke caught by Gordie… Burgess then nicked one for a first baller and Matty had 3 for 9 off 7. Kev didn’t want to miss out… and was doing a good impression of Michael Keaton himself, going at less than 1.5 himself, nicking off with the wicket of Old Bro Brock plumb in front. From 24 for no loss (albeit in 11 overs), SM were now 53 for 7 in 28. RHC’s well known racing through the overs doing nothing for their nerves. Suddenly the rate had gone from 3.18 required to 4.95, with only 3 in hand.

On came Kev Meier for his national league bow, and despite five wides in the over, five legit deliveries were well pitched outside off getting some nibble. The 1st XI policy of blooding a junior often continues to bode well as Joe Kinghorn, Fraser Nicol et al wait their turn for a shot. From the other end Tayside’s finest car salesman was pawing at the earth and quietly walked off with 2 for 6 from 2.2 – taking Bisset for 10 – (Stu Mel’s top scorer). This was the key – whereas one of our lads (Kev) scored 72 – noone at Stu-Mel seemed to fancy a Ryan Reeves sponsored long stand on the day – noone lasting more than 40 minutes – not how you go about winning a game.

Matt finished with 4 for 14 from 10, Kev 1 for 13 from 9, Az 1 for 10 off 7 and Gordie 2 for 21 from 10 – four bowlers going at approx 2 or less – exceptional bowling and proof we can defend low targets – if only Falkland had seen this last week.

Dumfries at one point were 33for 5 before that nasty Scotty Bevo (just kidding mate) dogged in with 46 odd but only 8 points. Gap narrowed a wee touch between 2nd and 3rd but with Falkland not playing they are pretty match guaranteed the title… all shaping up nicely for an obsessive watch of the weather come week beginning 22nd August!

Man of the Match – Honours even, probably just shaded by Kev for his lesson in patience 72 – well done fella… Matt a close second. Great team performance and a great advert for tight bowling.