Match Report - Gordon Potts Memorial T20 2015
Sunday 14th
June saw the 8th playing of the annual Gordon Potts
Memorial cricket match.
Various regular players
were missing for a variety of reasons. The reasons were mainly injury
related which perhaps reflects the rapidly ageing player pool
available for the fixture. Barry and Gus were also missing –
rumoured to be on a romantic break in Venice. The weather was cloudy
but dry at Forthill and the teams leisurely got changed and the
captains made their way to the centre. Bryce was in his usual place
in charge of the “Dundee” team and Nobby was skippering “United”
for a second year with Chic away. Bryce won the toss and opted to
bat. Everyone arrived at the
allotted time except Cammy who was unable to wake from his slumber to
attend the match. Dundee sportingly offered a sub fielder to ensure
fair play.
It was Hector who shone
in the early stages for Dundee with four strikes to the boundary in a
quick fire 16. Christian also opened and comfortably made his way to
the retiral figure of 25 runs. Ranji was making his
debut in the match and was a welcome returning figure to the club. He
also made his way to 25, as did Craig and Dundee were well in control
of proceedings. Things were going well and seemed set to continue
when Clark made his way to the centre, but a hammer blow was struck
when Sim Sr deceived him with a slower ball and he was pouched at
cover by Butts for a first ball quacker. Undeterred, Blair
struck some fine blows and the scoreboard was ticking along. Cully fell over. There
is nothing more to add to that – he simply fell over..... James Jr went in and
pushed one to mid on where substitute fielder Christian picked up the
ball and threw down the stumps with a direct hit to run out his team
mate. Christian was immediately substituted. More runs came and the
innings closed on an above par 140 and the Dundee skipper seemed very
pleased with himself.
Some liquid was taken
and the united chase began and the Duke hit some lusty blows on the
way to a quick 25 and retired. Howie and Sim Sr tried to push things
along but some tight bowling from Cheese, Conny and Hector built the
pressure and then not for the first time Bryce bounced out Howie. More good bowling and
inept batting followed and when the returning Duke was bowled first
ball by Bryce the game was over.
Dundee won by around 40
runs in the most one sided contest ever seen in the history of the
fixture.
The Barbeque was
cranked up and sausages and burgers were being dispensed by Head Chef
Butts who was doing a grand job before managing to set fire to the
grill. Large flames were licking from the barbeque and Hector was all
set to pour cider on the fire before stopping just in time. Howie and
Dave came to the rescue with some water and the flames were
extinguished just before the main pavilion was torched.
Bryce collected the
trophy from Ian and thanks were dispensed to all involved. Dundee now
lead the series4 – 3 ( with one tie). Butts was awarded the
Champagne Moment award for attempting to burn down Broughty Ferry. This was yet another
great day and as usual our thoughts turned to our missing friend and
we recounted tales of days gone by over a beer or two.
Here’s to
next year and perhaps in 2016 United will make a game of it!