Scorecard

Forfarshire Cricket Club 3rd XI v Rossie Priory on Sun 27 Aug 2006 at 1pm
Match was Drawn

Match report The home fixture against old friends Rossie Priory signalled the final fixture of the 2006 league season for Forthill XI. Thankfully after last week's rain, the sun shone all day. Extensive calculations by the club mathematicians prior to the match showed that just two points were required for the league title to be secured. In keeping with the rest of the season, Simmy lost the toss and we were inserted on a good looking batting track. Not for the first time the season, the youthful opening combination of Craig and Gavin made a good start and both looked very comfortable against the visiting bowling. The necessary two points for the title were secured early doors when 100 runs came up and Simmy whilst on umpiring duty turned round and signalled that drinks were in order.

We all presumed he meant that we should all go up to the bar and have a pint on him in early and immediate celebration, but disappointingly it turned out he was merely requesting some mid innings juice for the tired fielders.

The introduction to the attack of former Forthill player Russell Lauder saw the first wicket fall when with another large individual score on the cards, Gavin unfortunately mistimed a pull shot when on 35. Clark came in and along with Craig the total started building nicely. Clark was chasing an unlikely third century on the trot and having eased his way to 49 surprisingly mistimed a paddle on the leg side and was caught at square leg. Finbar was next to be dismissed when being caught off what appeared to be a high "no ball" but the square leg umpire appeared in a daze and failed to call it and Finbar had to go. Clark has now enrolled for a winter umpiring course to ensure no repeats next season. Simmy has enrolled in the advanced umpiring course which includes counting up to six.

Robbie came in at the unusual position of number 5 and seemed comfortable in that role and played an array of attacking shots which augurs well for next season in a quickfire 47. He was agonisingly out on the last ball of the innings chasing a first ever fifty in front of his watching father. On this occasion, there can be no doubt that the highlight of the batting display was Craig's first ever century. He played in an assured and determined fashion throughout and played a terrific innings to reach three figures. Combining some neat stroke play, good running, patience and putting away the bad ball away, he deservedly reached three figures with an over to spare. He was eventually dismissed for a fine 102 and if Craig continues to bat like this, there can be no doubt that further centuries will follow in his career.

The Forthilll innings closed after 45 overs with a total of 262 for 5 and an enjoyable tea was had in the knowledge that the league title had been secured. Credit must go to Rossie who stuck to the task throughout the innings.

Two former Forthill players opened the innings for Rossie in the shape of Russell Lauder and Keith Dyer. Both played well against the opening attack of Kean and Mo. Mo again displayed his ability to bowl good line and length and bowled a particularly good spell. The introduction of Finbar saw the first wicket fall when Keith was caught in the deep and further wickets fell with the introduction of TJ McCandless into the attack. His personal back garden training from his mentor is clearly paying dividends and he once again snapped up a four wicket haul. As has happened so often at Forthill this year, the total posted was beyond the opposition and once again somewhat frustratingly we could not force the victory.

This was in spite of Simmy taking the catch of the season late on to dismiss the evergreen Peter Stewart. His flying leap on the boundary was reminiscent of his goalkeeping days for the Ship Inn........

In spite of not forcing a victory, on this occasion everyone was happy with the 18 point draw in the knowledge that we had taken the league title and promotion to division one next year. After the customary champions celebratory pushing on of the covers, we retired to the bar where the President's champagne ( £1.99 from Lidl?) was drunk by the team amongst congratulations all round.

As is customary with such a young side, there was then a group playing of the quiz machine and puggy.........

Overall it has been a great season. Most importantly there has been great progress among the youngsters who are a great group on and off the park. Their hard work over the last couple of years with Cameron is greatly in evidence and the future of the club looks healthy if we can keep this group progressing as they have done this year. Well done to all of the young lads. Indeed, well done to everyone.

Special thanks goes once again on behalf of all the lads to Simmy who has lead the team with his usual style.

Thanks go also to our supporters and umpires who have helped all season. Cheers Dave.

My own personal highlights of 2006.....

Asif' teas ( six bananas and a pack of cheese slices....quality)
Simmy's fielding ( all over the field)
Pottsy going down a one way street the wrong way in Perth
Kean's jeans and tunnels
Andy Wallace getting hit on the napper by Fish at Rossie.
Dean's Fatty's induced stupour every Sunday
Teddy's coaching of Elliot
Elliot's growing ability to ignore Teddy
Gav and Craig's 197 partnership against Crieff
Simmy Junior running between third man and fine leg when a right and left hander were in and taking a single every ball. Knackered.
Mo telling everyone to chill.
Robbie's chat (must get better).
Dave pulling Freda



Forfarshire Cricket Club 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
262		        
Gavin Martin Caught  35
Craig Wallace Caught  102 1
Clark McConnachie Caught  49 1
John Findlay Caught  5
Robbie Watson Bowled  47
Elliot McCandless Not Out  0 1
David Sim   1
David Sim  
Steven Sim  
Kean Martin  
Mo Chatterji  

Rossie Priory Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Rossie Priory Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 6 wickets
0
205 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Forfarshire Cricket Club 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Kean Martin8.015400.006.75
Mo Chatterji10.012700.002.70
John Findlay7.0032132.004.57
Elliot McCandless10.023147.753.10
Steven Sim5.003500.007.00
Gavin Martin5.0210110.002.00