Straight A Carey Strikes Uni Staff Down
HCC vs EUSCC 15th July 2023
With the Cruickshanks away on a Saturday to Saturday two week holiday (fines will not be ATOL protected) Haddington Cricket Club turned in the least Haddington performance seen so far this season. Skipper Macdonald’s usual gritty Dycheball - of exceptional worth it must be said, capturing almost every opposition wicket to date in a largely wet summer and seeing the Goats defeated only twice so far - was eschewed for a controlled positivity and outrageously athletic all round performance which beggars belief. If I’d not photographed the scorebook before drizzle washed away the evidence, I would doubt it had happened at all.
Losing the toss magnificently, Macdonald shrewdly accepted the opposition’s invitation to bat first on a very very green, but flat and well prepared Neilson Park segment of turf. Even more cunningly, he allowed himself to be bowled early on having assessed that conditions and bowling were perfectly set up for Haddington debutant Alf Carey to steal the show from no.3. Leading run scorer and reluctant orangecapman Scotty Logan pumped a couple of boundaries but chipped to mid-off for 10. Sixteen for two looked a little wobbly, but clearly the sight of Blades and Carey in contrasting baggies was too much public school for the faculty’s admissions department; a series of full tosses and half volleys were dispensed like badly assessed bursaries, before the spinners eventually settled into a challenging rhythm and begun to beat the outside edge with consistent but slow turn. By then, both batters were set. In fairness to Carey, the astounding crispness of his footwork would have caused any Division 3 bowler to err in length, and uneven bounce was taken out of the occasion. 87/2 at 20 and drinks taken as the skies brightened and. Blades departed first ball after a refreshment for 28, and Hiley departed soon after too - both caught flipping Aitzaz’s useful outswing to mid-on. 100 for 4, and the blancmange was starting to thaw, with the Tea Ladies cranking the urn to high. Carey clipped and drove without error to 50, and David Buff Arbuthnott submitted a personal statement of his own with 37 in just 30 balls to take the Goats to 150 in just 30 overs. Of Buff’s 5 boundaries, a back foot, high elbow drive over the covers caused the most excitement at the scorer’s table, with one member seen taking a fresher’s walk of shame soon after.
With Alf infallible, Jamie Perriam swung the willow to mighty effect in a rapid 15 to keep things moving, though tension mounted as Carey crept into the 70s and 80s. The vastly experienced Andy Bell was just the man for the task, sprinting 3s to give as much strike as possible to the man of the moment. Carey’s innings, so poised with firm hitting dow the ground, turned now to sweeps, pulls and cuts to find gaps with 6, 7, 8 men out on the boundary. The final over arrived and it seems the chance for a century was lost, but Andy Bell found a single off the penultimate ball. Carey was 94 not out. Aitzaz pitched full and wide knowing Carey had been favouring the straight drive all day, but Alf’s eye was in, his weight forward, and the slowness in the pitch allowed him to drag a drive powerfully towards long-off. The ground falls away steeply at the Aubigny End and the fielder stood no chance. As the ball hung for 3 or 4 seconds, before clattering through the branches and beyond the fielder for six glorious runs, taking the young man to a brilliant century. Haddington’s first league ton for five years - almost to the day - since Tom Dalrymple’s 163 on a blazing hot day against Murrayfield DAFs at Neilson Park but in very different conditions. 215/7 - the accurate Pelia and the miserley Sevak the pick of the bowlers.
Its a well worn trope in recounting recreational cricket but tea deserves a mention and continues to be excellent despite the crumbling facilities, thanks in no small part to the efforts of volunteers Gaja, Syme, Shaw, Chalmers, and Cruickshanks aplenty who present our rustic offerings in a timely and pleasing fashion. Veggie options and variety aplenty again. Most convivial.
Back on the field and it became apparent that Uni Staff - gallantly competing with 10 men - were missing their star batsman due to ill fortune on the day of the game. HCC wish him and his family all the best, and hope he is back in action soon. That said, surprise opener Rashid landed a series of lusty blows, taking on Macdonald’s usually un-hittable left arm spin in a powerful 21. Haddington’s wicket keeper roulette had Blades back in the big mitts, and he did the necessary to effect a stumping off the skipper, and came within a sniff of a leg side chance off the stubborn Sharma as Macca continued to rip the ball up into splice and glove. Short Leg would have swallowed it, surely? As the batters began to look settled, Andy Bell popped open the party bag for the first birthday treat on his name day - an absurd full stretch one hander at extra cover to give Macca his second wicket. He’d started at cover point, and flew to catch the spliced drive, the ball stuck firmly in his grasping palm. Unbelievable. The skipper returning 2 for 32 as HCC focussed on spin to get the 20 overs in required for the match to render a result, with rain forecast and ruining conditions at the Scottish Open at Renaissance to the north east.
Ash Kumar continued his brilliant form (1 for 15 from 8) and kept Sevak tied down as he looked to keep up with the rate Mudiyanselage was caught behind, and Coxon suffered the same fate soon after to that man Carey’s more than passable door knobs - rapping the gloves with one that lifted. In all the home side bowled a better length, not drawn in to being too full. It wasn’t until after drinks that the Goats remembered there was a game to win, and Sevak sent several reminders down the ground & over square leg off Hiley, Perriam and Syme as the seamers struggled with a wet pill. At 98 for 4 off 25 overs, and ‘keeper Dhakad a trusty foil, EUSCC had a sniff. It took a mix up to end their fun, as the probing Perriam - sending down some real heat in the drizzle - picked up a bunted and beat Dhakad back to the stumps for a heads up play. Pelia came and went to Arbuthnott’s left arm rockets (continuing his resurgence as a bowling force) but Sevak batted on. Though the rate was climbing, whilst he remained there was every chance of a come back. Aitzaz proved a thorn in HCC’s side once again and looked good for 15, before Andy Bell set about closing down the party. He charged in and covered huge ground from the deep straight boundary and took a brilliant catch to give Hiley a wicket, and repeated the feat moments later with a great grab to a swirling skier. By now even the opposition was applauding his efforts with a hat trick of contenders for catch of the season. A fourth almost came too which no one else would have even got hands on. 2 for 35 for Purple Cap Hiley.
Syme wrapped up the final wicket giving Blades a fourth dismissal, Sevak 77* and capturing maximum batting points for his team in 156/9 (all out) in a game which could have got very squeaky had HCC not been at their best.
Shot of the Day - Alf Carey’s lofted caress for 6 to reach 100*. Close second to Buff’s back foot drive over cover, and Sevak’s pristinely straight one bounce 4 off Hiley.
Player of the Match - Carey of course, 100* off just 89 balls, 10x4, 1x6 and a wicket. Andy Bell close with a ridiculous three catches and handy runs too.
Weddings Bring Wickets?
Dearest reader, your usual narrator is away in France, so the 12 th man has stepped in temporarily. This week involves another tight division 3 clash away at St Boswells. After much speculation about the appearance of rain for a long drive to the Borders, HCC were greeted by overcast skies, high humidity, and reliable assurances of local farmers (the most reliable weather forecast source) that we should only be in for an occasional light drizzle. Stand in skipper Scott lost the toss, no surprise to long term readers, and the Goats were put in to bat first.
The regular opening partnership of Cruickshank and Logan remained a constant of this changed Haddington side, building a steady platform in tricky conditions. Scott out to a rare caught behind, and most of the wickets being bowled tells you a lot about the difficult pitch, giving bowlers a good amount of movement off the seam, with the overcast conditions making the conditions very bowler friendly. The opening partnership eventually gave way, and an aggressive middle order came in to play, with all not going quite to plan. The steadying influence of classical number six and reasonably successful Quentin De Kock impressionist James Shaw came to the crease, making an invaluable 24 with the lower order, keeping the score ticking up to 128-9 after 40 overs. E Cardwell-Moore, O Scott, F Syme, T Proctor, and R Bell did not trouble the scorers too much but helped to keep Shawsy on strike for his period at the crease. Who knows how valuable those runs could prove to be?
After tea, Ferg opened the bowling with pace not seen yet this season, garnering the nickname Mark Food (from his own father). A maiden over gave way to the newly married Dave Arbuthnott, congratulations once again from all here at Haddington Cricket Club to Dave and Kirsten, all of us wish you both the best of luck in your newest adventure. The self-proclaimed left arm angry of Arbuthnott wreaked havoc early on, the ball hooping into right-handed batters and taking two wickets in two balls. Unfortunately, no hat-trick for the newlywed, but a fearsome spell with ball in hand continued for five overs before a well-earned rest, taking an incredible four wickets during his dangerous opening spell.
HCC stalwarts Kumar and Cruickshank were the next pair with the ball in hand. Economical as ever, they dragged the score back and kept HCC in the game with some excellent efforts in the field from Rhuari, Eddie, and JCM restricting the runs on offer. Proctor and Ol Scott came to the fore with some tight bowling to follow up the metronomic line and length of bowlers past, Ol being particularly noteworthy, batters confused by his quick spin and an economical four overs for a miserly eight runs. Much of the credit for St Boswells batting must go to R Graham, batting long for a very well earned 54, keeping the game tight until his unfortunate dismissal, caught by Cruickshank off the returning Arbuthnott, continuing his excellent spell from earlier. The tail was now exposed in a tight game. D Hirtenstein and R Needham dug in, frustrating Syme and his grumpy efforts to extract late wickets. Finally, a breakthrough, Syme finding the stumps and dismissing Needham for a valuable nine in the penultimate over.
Cruickshank took the final over, all those watching from the club house, tea ladies with pints in hand, dogs sat attentively watching (I assume), eight runs for St Boswells to win it at the death. A dot to start, HCC applauding like it could be their last, Wilkie frustrated at the lack of chance to be the hero. Next ball garnered two runs off D Hirtenstein’s bat, local supporters cheering the efforts so late in the game. Another dot to the wily bowling of Cruickshank. The next ball another couple of runs to the tally, just four needed to win. There is no sound more pleasing to a bowler than the rattling of a ball into the stumps, as was heard from the penultimate ball of the final over, Alan bowling stump to stump knowing the batter would look to win it there and then. M Valentine, a valiant junior, coming in for the final ball could do very little about Alan’s final delivery, an almost trademark dot to finish an exciting and tense match that went right down to the wire, when there were very low expectations of playing at all by some Goats on the journey South.
An excellent game, beers consumed in the clubhouse, Dycheball paying dividends again. 20 points to Haddington, 20 pints earned by Dave, and a superb effort all around.
Shot of the day: Scott Logan’s straight lofted drive for 6
Player of the match: Dave Arbuthnott for his exceptional 6-28 off 8
Stunning efforts from Borrowman and Kumar see Haddington snatch an unlikely victory.
Dearest reader, words fail me. I can’t truly comprehend what happened at Hawick yesterday. A superb win - yes. A magnificent rearguard effort from PB and Ash - yes. An optimistic Scott - yes. The skipper buying a round after the game - yes. A truly marvellous day out, 20 points and a delirious sense of disbelief achieved.
Aah Hawick away. A long trip to the Borders beckoned for the mighty GOATs this weekend. HCC were travelling to Hawick, looking to lick their wounds having suffered a disappointing home defeat against Boroughmuir the week before. Skipper Macca selected a strong batting lineup and a bowling lineup missing key cogs Hiley and Syme. Only time would tell if these absences would come back to hurt the GOATs in their quest to climb up the league. Macca and his GOATs arrived at a sunkissed Buccleuch Park to see a baked and dry pitch and outfield which looked conducive to batting. Macca subsequently won the toss (6 out of 8) and chose to bowl.
Opening with Macca this week was JP. Fresh from his exploits in the Old Lorettonians game last weekend. JP and Macca bowled well on a quick and bouncy pitch but with no early success. Both Macca and JP saw the ball bounce past the bat and fly over fielders. Batters Solley and Welsh pushed the Hawick score past 50 before Ash struck, getting one to lift off the surface and take the edge of the bat and be caught at slip by Scott. 52-1. Alan struck swiftly after, clean bowling the other Solley for 4 and Hawick were 61-2 at drinks.
A period of Hawick consolidation followed as Welsh and Alexander nudged and nurdled the score to 82 before Buff Dave induced a poor shot from Alexander, who trying to turn the ball to the legside, only succeeded in edging the ball to Macca at backward point. 82-3. More Hawick nudging saw the score progress to 110 before Hawick’s duracell bunny batter Welsh was barbequed by his partner to be run out for a superb 52. 110-4. JP came back into the attack and took two wickets in two balls, a half tracker was slapped straight to Macca at cover by no.6 batter Tait, followed by an attempted leg side flick from opposition skipper Johnston being pouched by a diving TP at backward point. 118-6.
Storey and Mactaggart rebuilt and pushed the score on to 138, with a combination of excellent running, poor ground fielding from the GOATs (not helped by the bobbly outfield) and good shot making. With the score at 138, skipper Macca returned to the attack with 4 overs remaining to try and close out the game. A rank legside full toss was missed by no.9 Storey who was clean bowled leaving Hawick 138-7. JP bagged his third wicket by clean bowling no.10 Montgomery. A final over scramble for runs saw the GOATs pick up two run outs to get 10 wickets for the 8th game in a row. An astonishing achievement given that Hawick were only 2 wickets down after 20 overs. Hawick bowled out for 155 and thoughts turned to tea. An excellent tea was provided which included some much needed rocket ice lollies.
Having consumed tea with appropriate HCC gusto, thoughts turned to batting. With a quick outfield, a bouncy pitch and a strong looking line up the GOATs felt confident going into the chase of 156. Alan and league leading run scorer Scott strode out to the crease keen to take advantage of the fast outfield and the sunny conditions. Alan made a superb start with a cover drive creamed to the boundary in the opening over. Scott played back a maiden from the following over, bowled by Storey. Now our regular readers and spectators may know, Haddington love a bating collapse. Hawick were the latest team to take full advantage of this unwanted team trait.
Alan gloved a lifting delivery from opposition skipper Johnston down the leg side to be snaffled by wicketkeeper Tait and Haddington were 4-1 early on. Time for Scott and JCM to rebuild. Unfortunately, the rebuild lasted only one ball as JCM was clean bowled first ball by Johnston and Haddington were now 4-2 with two of the side’s most experienced batters back in the dressing room. 4-2 soon became 9-3 as Scott was clean bowled by a big inswinger from Storey to leave Haddington reeling and facing the prospect of being bundled out for the first time since Game 1 away at Murrayfield.
This collapse became worse as Shawsy and Dave were soon back in the dressing room too. Shawsy nicked another lifting delivery behind to be caught by wicketkeeper Tait for 7 off the bowling of Montgomery. Dave soon joined him in making the trudge back to the pavilion being cleaned bowled by Storey for 1 and leaving the GOATs 24-5 and in serious danger and being bowled out incredibly cheaply. Oh dear reader, I haven’t told you the best part of this tale, the return of the manchild from Drem. As this fixture fell on Father’s Day weekend, PB (Peter Borrowman) made the trip north of the border and somehow was convinced to bring his cricket gear and join the boys on an away day to the sunny Borders. PB currently plies his trade as an opening bat down South and drops anchor and allows others to play around him. Hawick was no different. PB did a sterling job of defending, leaving and grinding down the opposition. Jonny Mitchell and PB stretched the score to 44-5 after 17 overs before the rain fell. The glorious rain that looked like saving HCC and granting them an unwarranted abandonment to potentially protect their winning percentage. Thoughts turned to the two captains shaking hands and amicably agreeing a draw. Alas, the rain abaited and play continued. Once the 20th over was bowled, the game had a result either way and at 20 overs, it looked only possible for Hawick to be the victors.
Jonny Mitchell nibbled outside off stump to be caught at slip for a well made 16 and the GOATs were 57-6 and looked to doomed to defeat. JP joined PB in the middle of played with great intent swinging his mighty blade for 8 before he too nicked off behind to leave the GOATs 71-7 and needing another 85 to win with only Ash, Macca and TP left to support the last recognised batter PB. In an attempt to win the game early, Hawick had bowled out Storey, Johnston and Montgomery and needed to find overs to fulfill their 40 overs. They turned to their young seamer Stewart who had a tough time with the ball and bowled several above waist high no balls which PB and Ash climbed into and the required runs slowly started to drop. 85 required became 70, became 60, then 50, then 40 and there was genuine hope from the assembled HCC boys sat in the Hawick Hollies stand. 40 became 30 and even in our wildest dreams, we never thought we would get this close. Unexpected batting points were gained at 70, 90, 110 and 130 before disaster struck at 136-7. Ash who had played superbly for his 29 was sent back by PB and did not make his ground to be run out and leave the GOATs 136-8 and the door was firmly back open for Hawick who needed two more wickets for the win whilst HCC required another 20 runs.
Skipper Macca strode out to the crease, without his own bat or pads which were being sported by PB at the other end, and the chat turned to steady accumulation and a desire to punish any bad balls that came their way. Macca chipped an early chance between bowler and mid on that on another day could have been so easily grabbed, but on this occasion was 2 runs. 136 became 140 then 145 and then 150 the win for the GOATs was genuinely on. Having been in the hopeless position of 24-5 and staring a second consecutive defeat in the face, PB had dragged HCC into a winning position and it was only fitting that he clubbed the winning boundary to seal a remarkable comeback and leave the GOATs utterly ecstatic and bemused in equal measure. PB finished the game 64 not out and unsurprisingly was named Man of the Match by his teammates.
Beers were consumed in the stand and there was a general feeling amongst the players of what have we accomplished here. How on earth did we win this? But as skipper Macca keeps saying Dycheball pays dividends, take the game deep and all outcomes will be possible. I certainly can’t remember a more remarkable win in my cricketing career. 20 points to take home to Haddington and the knowledge that this team has grit, determination and can find unlikely ways to win.
Shot of the day : PB’s pull through midwicket to win the game.
Player of the match : Peter Borrowman for his superb 64 not out.
The GOATs march on!
Well well well dear reader, the GOATs keep marching on. This week’s tale of victory comes from an away fixture against Drummond Trinity 2s at a sunny Goldenacre. In this early season top of the table clash joint 1st played joint 1st, it was the GOATs who were victorious to extend their winning streak to 4 and cement their place at the top of Division 3 after 6 rounds of fixtures. The GOATs arrived at Goldenacre and were pleased to be greeted with a short outfield, a good looking pitch and cloudless blue sky. This is the weather we should be playing in. None of this 6 degree, cold and damp April cricket for us.
Skipper Macca named another strong looking lineup, buoyed by the return of Jonny Mitchell and the return of Ruaraidh Gray, after a 10 year absence. Although, the GOATs were missing resident slogger Sloggo at the top of the order and team accountant and opening bowler Fergus through Tough Mudder and exam revision commitments. I’ll let you guess who was doing what. Macca won the toss again, 4 out of 6 now, and elected to bowl as this is Haddington’s strong suit and DTs had bowled out opposition for 22 and 32 in their previous games.
In the absence of Fergus, Timmy H shared the new ball with Macca and both had great early success. DTs are known for swinging and swinging hard, it is the way they play, not quite reckless abandon but positivity at all times. Macca and Timmy H bowled well up front and were rewarded for their accuracy and probing lines by reducing DTs to 19-4 early on.
The first wicket fell to a superb catch at slip from Robin off the bowling of Rob, a bit of turn and bounce inducing an edge. 8-1. A superb piece of cricket. The second wicket was not… a rank full toss (most underrated ball in the bowlers’ arsenal) from Macca pinning Pavan lbw to leave DTs 13-2 early on. Then Timmy H joined the party with more regulation bowling, clean bowling both the number 3 and number 4 batters to leave the shellshocked DTs 19-4. Thoughts of a St Boswellsesque 48 all out were banished by some mighty biffing from Nasir and Alam who took a particular liking to Macca and accelerated the score to 45-4 after 12 overs.
Time for a change of plan. Time for the second member of the double H brigade, Robin Hiley. A man for whom the ball is on a string this season and is rightly at the top of the league wicket taking charts. Again the method of dismissal was interesting and not for the purists. After some mighty biffs from Alam, the field was spread to stem the flow of runs whilst maintaining men close to the bat, one of those men was Macca. Hiley did as Hiley does and bowled a beautiful inswinger which was chipped to Macca at short mid wicket, the ball burst through his hands, but somehow he managed to catch it between his thighs, rolling onto his back to ensure the ball was not grounded. Good thing we don’t have the Frogbox live streaming service in Division 3 as I would not have wanted to see the replay of that one. 46-5. Nasir soon followed Alam back to the changing room, clean bowled by another Hiley inswinger which took leg stump. 55-6. Hiley then continued his superb start to the day by snaring Ahmad at slip at the second attempt off the bowling of Ash, 59-7.
The drinks break came and DTs were 71-7, and the drinks break worked its magic, a full toss from Hiley being dragged back onto his stumps by Anwar to leave DTs 71-8. Skipper Macca smelled blood and brought both himself and Timmy H back into the attack to try and kill the game off. Timmy H bowled beautifully by unsuccessfully in his second spell, finishing with 2-20 off his 8 overs. Number 8 batter Arepelly took a particular liking to Macca, hitting 6,4,4,2 before swinging once too often to be bowled, 92-9. Some sensible batting and ragged fielding let the 10th wicket pair drag DTs to 114 all out with Alan taking the last wicket to fall.
In the absence of slogger Slogan, Shawsy was promoted to open with Alan. Two classical cricketers who could be rewarded with value for their shots on a good pitch with a fast outfield. They came up against the best opening bowling partnership seen this season, a good length, swing and accuracy from both ends proved tricky to score from and despite a beautiful carve through point for 4, Alan was dismissed early by Fraz to leave the GOATs 9-1. 9-1 quickly became 9-2 as JCM was adjudged lbw to Fraz. 9-2 became 16-3 as Shawsy nicked a brute of a delivery behind.
Time for Hiley and Buff to knuckle down and grind out the score and see what bowlers 3 and 4 looked like. They did this excellently and after 11 overs, both opening bowlers were off and the score was 16-3. DTs skipper and league leading wicket taker Anwar brought himself on against his main rival for leading wicket taker Hiley and it was Hiley who won this battle taking 17 off the skipper’s 3 overs before he removed himself from the attack. The highlight of which was a pull through square leg which hit a wall, got stuck in a bush and split the ball open. Not to be outdone, Buff joined in on the act smashing four 4s in an over to propel the GOATs to 75-3 at drinks. Unfortunately the drinks break paid dividends for the opposition, with Buff Dave bowled shortly after; trying to pull one that wasn’t quite short enough to pull for a well made 36. 79-4.
Out strode Ruaraidh to join Rob at the crease, the former captain looked a little rusty first up, understandable after a 10 year absence from the sport, but he was resolute in defence early on. Hiley was batting serenely until he was shot by a sniper lurking on top of one of the neighbouring apartment blocks, resulting in a tweaked hamstring or possibly cramp. Discussions were had between skipper Macca and Hiley, retire hurt or swing for the fences and see what happens? Swing it was! A four was dispatched over mid off followed by two lusty pulls through square leg for 4, before one swing too many led to Robin being bowled for a superbly made and vital 41. 100-5. Andy Bell and Ruaraidh saw the GOATs home to a five wicket win, with the game being won with a flat 6 smashed over square leg by Ruaraidh. A suitably brilliant shot to cap off a superb away win. Your GSB player of the match was Robin Hiley for his outstanding all round contribution.
At the end of the game, the GOATs were ecstatic and their thoughts turned to what food could be consumed by these elite level athletes. They say that Usain Bolt consumed 5000 calories a day to fuel his athletic prowess during the Beijing Olympics. By the looks of the pictures below, the GOATs are well on their way to Olympic level nutrition, although I would hate to see our times over 100 metres. Good thing we only run 22 yards at a time.
Shot of the day : Ruaraidh’s flat 6 over square leg to win the game.
Player of the match : Robin Hiley, 3-15 off 6 overs with the ball, two slip catches and 41 with the bat.
2 becomes 3! GOATs win 3rd game in a row
The GOATs headed into round 5 of the league season buoyed by the previous wins in round 3 and 4. On a hot and cloudless day, Grange 3s were the next visitors to the fortress of Neilson Park. Skipper Macca lost the toss (3 from 5) and the Grange skipper shocked most by deciding to bat first. Grange were coming off the back of being bowled out for 22 by Drummond Trinity the week before.
Grange were soon one down when skipper Macca took his third caught and bowled of the season, Ferg then struck quickly after to reduce Grange to 12-2. A rebuild followed before wily Hiley bowled yet another hooping inswinger to bowl Stafford for 23 and then quickly followed this up with another wicket to leave Grange 50-4. Now, Neilson Park is an excellent location for a sunny BBQ and Grange duly obliged, no.5 batter Kalsi hit the ball straight to skipper Macca at cover who threw a textbook throw over the stumps to 6th choice keeper Shawsy who broke the stumps and run out the no.4 Sage.
Fearing another collapse, Grange dropped anchor and rebuilt slowly with Kalsi and Johnston nudging singles and eeking the score to 75-5 after 30 overs. Acceleration was required if Grange were to post a competitive score, Johnston tried and failed lofting a chance to Hendo in the deep who duly obliged. Kalsi was joined by Blain and more singles were eeked out before JP bowled an absolute beauty to castle the former Scotland international. Alan claimed his customary wicket with a slow grenade that opposition captain Kumar swung past. The final over saw skipper Macdonald return to the attack, desperate for wickets that would end the innings and keep the GOATs in the hunt for 10 wickets for the 5th game running. Macca and Shawsy combined twice in the final over to have both Crocker and Kalsi stumped, meaning that Grange had been bowled out for 111 and that Shawsy was now firmly 3rd choice keeper.
Neilson Park was bathed in sunshine for the second half of the game as the GOATs looked to chase the 112 needed to claim a third win in a row. Would there be a nerve-shredding batting collapse? Would the Grange bowlers cause chaos and a pad scramble?
Alan and Scott strode out to the crease and looked confident from the off. Scott launching both openers over their heads for 4s straight down the ground. Alan played the anchor role and let Scott swish and biff as needed. The opening partnership was finally broken after passing 50 when Alan was trapped lbw by a beauty of an inswinger from Crocker.
Shawsy and Scott continued to progress the score serenely after the drinks break and looked relatively untroubled. Before Scott was caught at backward point for an impressive 60 on his birthday. Shawsy soon followed as he was the victim of a BBQ of his own. Charlie Metcalfe hit the ball through the bowler’s hands and thought there was a run, unbeknownst to him, mid on is a common position and the mid on fielder threw down the stumps and ended a promising innings of 12 from Shawsy. Buff Dave joined Charlie at the crease and with minimal effort chased down the remaining runs needed to secure another impressive HCC win. Thoughts now turned to the consumption of victory beers and birthday celebrations in the centre of town.
Huge thanks to Ted’s owner Hendo (see floofy doggo below) and Charlie for playing on short notice when it looked like the GOATs would have to take the field with 10 men.
Shot of the day : Scott’s clip over the top to deep midwicket.
Player of the match : Birthday boy Scott for his match-winning 60.
GOATS narrowly beat Marchmont 2s
Fresh off the back of last week’s impressive win away at Edinburgh University Staff, the GOATs were at home against a familiar Marchmont side. Marchmont did the double over the GOATs last season including snatching victory as Haddington spectacularly collapsed to lose by 2 runs. Skipper Macca was blessed with a strong side on paper and a greenish pitch. The skipper duly won the toss (3 from 4) and decided to bowl.
Ferg and Macca shared the new ball against the potent batting lineup of Marchmont. Macca and Ferg continued their strong partnership by keeping runs at a premium and Macca was rewarded with a spectacular one handed caught and bowled to remove the dangerous Eagar early on. 13-1. Opposition skipper Jeffreys and wicketkeeper Thomson batted well and progressed the score to 45 before wily Hiley worked his magic and bowled Jeffreys for 22. Another mini rebuild saw marchmont head into the 60s. Before a superb double strike from Hiley saw Marchmont 62-4 at drinks. The boy had the ball on a string and the Marchmont batters couldn’t deal with it, Thomson top edging to Arbuthnott at gully before Guest was bowled for a duck.
Haddington truly put the squeeze on Marchmont which saw Alan and Ash each pick up important wickets to ensure that Marchmont were never truly on top. 103-7 and thoughts were turning to batting. Alan had Wheelhouse caught at point by Dave, then Ash had Chetty caught by Andy Bell before Alan bowled Connor for 2. Clayton and Prakash took singles and eeked the score to 120 before 7th choice keeper Shaw ran out Clayton for a well crafted 22, then the returning Hiley snared his 4th wicket by bowling Mascarenhas. JCM and Shawsy combined for another run out and Marchmont were all out for 132. 4-27 from Rob Hiley and a committed fielding performance saw Marchmont all out for 132 and for the fourth game in a row, the GOATs had taken all 10 wickets.
Ah batting, the bane of many an HCC game. Would this chase be different? Would the GOATs win comfortably and with little drama? No of course not! There is a reason that the words batting collapse appear on the HCC bingo card. (Not often seen this season, Scott really needs to up the bingo game) In a true HCC style, we decided to make this chase more interesting for our legions of fans on the boundary.
Alan and Scott opened up and played nicely before Alan lofted the metronomic Clayton to mid off to be caught for 3 and leave the GOATs 19-1 early on. JCM and Scott batted beautifully taking the score to 60-1 at drinks and leaving the GOATs handily placed to chase the remaining 73 in the second 20 overs. Scott batted well for his 38 with some good aggressive shots over the top and a desire to punish the bad bowling, this desire saw him give away his wicket as he slapped a half tracker to mid wicket to leave HCC 63-2. Early leaver Ash was promoted to 4 and he made 4 before he was bowled by spinner Connor coming forward then back to a straightish delivery. JCM was then bowled by Mascarenhas to leave GOATs 76-4. 76-4 became 84-5 as Hiley danced down the track and was stumped. Nerves were beginning to twitch as Marchmont upped the chat and mentioned last year’s infamous and painful defeat.
Thankfully Haddington’s early season batting woes have been boosted by the welcome return of Buff Dave. Dave and Shawsy batted well including some mighty biffs and great running and this pair took Haddington from the perilous position of 84-5 to a winning position of 128-5, with only 5 needed to secure a 2nd win of the season. Then the batting collapse reared it’s ugly head once again. Dave missed a straight one from spinner Hall 129-6, Shawsy was lbw 131-7, Ferg ran himself out 131-8 and then Tommy P, trying to be the hero swung past one from spinner to be bowled for 0 and leave HCC 131-9 and staring straight into the barrel of a heartbreaking defeat.
Captain Peg Leg hobbled out to the crease after swiftly and grumpily putting his pads on. The job was simple. 1 run to draw was the minimum required from the last pair. Andy Bell stoically blocked out a 39th over maiden to take the game into the final over. Thankfully, there was no tale of heartbreak this time as Macca nudged one to deep midwicket to secure the draw and then Andy nudged the behind square to complete a deserved, but nerve-shredding victory.
Shot of the day : Scott smashing a 6 over deep midwicket.
Player of the match : Rob Hiley 4-27
Relief as Haddington claim first win of the season
YAASSSS! WE DID IT! WE DID A WIN!
Apologies to our regular readers. Now back to our regularly calm and sedate match reports.
Under a cloudless blue sky, the GOATs travelled to Peffermill to take on the might of Edinburgh University…. staff. The wicket looked like a wicket, the outfield was green and the temperature gauge was in double digits with no prospect of rain. Wow! This is what cricket should be like. Skipper Macca duly lost the toss (2 from 3 now) and HCC were asked to bat, a sound decision from the opposition given Haddington’s recent batting struggles.
Openers Alan and Scott strode out to the middle buoyed by the opposition’s lack of faith in their ability. On a slow and low pitch with considerable assistance for both seam and spin bowlers, Alan and Scott applied themselves admirably and the scoreboard ticked along nicely as Alan and Scott progressed the score to 34 - 0 after 12 overs. Miraculous given that Haddington were a combined 63 - 11 in their previous two games! Opening bowlers were seen off and the scoring was positive and it could have been considerably more with a shorter and faster outfield. 34 - 0 became 34 - 1 as Alan charged down the track and lofted the left armer spinner to mid on to be caught for 7. Out strode the orange cap leader JCM to add further impetus and power to proceedings, but similarly he too found scoring slow as many drives and pulls held up in the meadowy outfield.
Then a moment of controversy, the left arm spinner ragged one past Scott’s defences, the bails were whipped off and kolpak umpire Hancox gave it not out, much to the opposition’s annoyance. It did not matter too much though as Scott was castled next over by the “spinner” at the other end. 100% would refer to the ICC. 52 - 2 and Scott out for 23 which on another outfield would have been a 40 + score. In strode Hiley in his gleaming whites, * more on this story later *. Messrs Hiley and Cardwell Moore progressed the score serenly to 63 - 2 before the left arm spinner spun one through JCM and tickled the stumps. 63 - 3.
Making a welcome return to the side, Buff Dave strode out looking majestic and real impetus was added with two lusty 6s dispatched over mid wicket. Buff and Rob H saw the score move to 95 - 3 before both fell in quick succession. Rob H was caught at backward square leg much to his disbelief and Buff Dave missed an inswinger from the returning opening bowler to leave the GOATs 97 - 5 with 7 overs to go. Could Macca and Shawsy clear the boundary and take the GOATs to 150? No. Could they nudge, nurdle, swing and miss? Yes. On a stodgy, slowing pitch Macca and Shawsy found it difficult to biff and instead accumulated many singles. One of which caused the skipper to roll his ankle and be unable to run properly for the remainder of the game. Yes feel sorry for me. In the final over of the innings Macca, was unable to put weight on ankle or bat on ball so contrived to get himself out stumped off a seamer with the keeper stood back. Yes he has been suitably fined for this. The GOATs had made 128-6 off their 40 overs.
The GOATs took to the field knowing this was their strength. 10 wickets in both previous games and a plentiful supply of bowling had the GOATs in a positive mood at the outset. Ferg and Captain Macca the Peg Leg opened the bowling. Ferg was more wayward than in previous weeks and Captain Peg Leg was patted back with the utmost respect. After 8 overs, double H was required, Hancox and Hiley, both bowled beautifully with accuracy and swing and gave both of the openers a torrid time. Hiley was first rewarded bowling an inswinger to castle the set opener. 26 - 1 and he was fired up. Not be outdone by his H partner Timmy H also clean bowled the number 3 with an inswinger to leave Edinburgh Uni Staff on 33 - 2 after 15 overs and it was well and truly game on.
The game drifted a little as the Uni Staff tried to secure their position before Alan got one to keep low and gain a lbw decision against the no.4 batsman. At the drinks interval, Uni Staff were 52 - 3. Ash was summoned after drinks and quickly struck bowling the no.5 for 2 and then Alan got a second wicket for the day to leave Uni Staff 57 - 5 and HCC were well on top. Captain Peg Leg decided he had serious FOMO (fear of missing out) and brought himself back on to burgle a wicket; a superb catch at backward point taken by kolpak Hancox. Uni staff were 6 down and their hopes of striking the win lay with their stubborn opener Sharma.
Hiley returned to the action and was quickly rewarded with a catch in the deep from Scott to see the back of Sharma for a well made 20. A diving JCM gathered an attempted quick single and threw the ball in majestically to 8th choice keeper Shawsy who broke the stumps and Uni Staff were 8 down with 50 + remaining. The ball was thrown to JP who bowled a beautiful inswinger to break a stubborn 9th wicket partnership and HCC were left needing 1 wicket to secure their first league win of the season. But in true Haddington style, this was not easy and the numbers 10 and 11 decided to make life difficult for the GOATs with a combination of strange defensive batting and then suicidal running eeking the score past 100.
Just as thoughts were turning to that fateful game against TPV last season, where the 10th wicket put on 35 and won the game; Hancox returned to bowl another inswinger which castled the stumps bowling out Uni Staff for 104 and handing the GOATs a much deserved win. A great team performance suitably rewarded and the GOATs claiming an important win.
Shot of the day : Buff Dave biffs over midwicket for 6.
Man of the match : Captain Peg Leg, 16 with the bat and 1 - 8 with the ball off 7 overs.
* Now dearest reader, you may remember earlier on in this epic saga, mention of Rob Hiley’s gleaming whites. Well let me tell you a story of lateness and stepmothers. Skipper Macca has tried to encourage the GOATs to arrive on time in an attempt to practice before the game, shocking I know! He received a message from none other than consummate professional Hiley to say he would be late. Tsk tsk. No real reason offered but at least he let the skipper know. Hiley duly arrived 10 - 15 minutes after the start of play, emptied his bag and hung his whites up on the metal fence to dry. Turns out he had put them in the wash the night before, his “helpful” stepmother had seen them lying in the washing machine in the morning and thought they needed another wash and put them on a 2 hour wash cycle. Thus meaning Rob was late because his whites were trapped in the washing machine. This story was confessed post match and in the pub and Rob has been suitably fined. Maybe he can ask his stepmother to pay…
Superb bowling performance in vain, as GOATs chances ruined by rain
The first home game of the season. Time for Neilson Park to shine and the GOATs to take centre stage. The forecast was bleak, heavy rain and potential thunderstorms on the horizon making the toss potentially decisive. Skipper Macca won the toss again (2 from 2!) and decided to bowl. An obvious choice to all having seen the forecast.
The opening bowlers of Fergus and Macca reaped early rewards and kept the scoreboard quiet. The opening wicket was brought about by an inspired piece of advice from vice-skipper Scott who suggested removing mid wicket and trying to get the batter to play through legside. It worked perfectly, the large gap was too tempting and Fergus got one to keep slightly low and castle the defences. The cricketing cliché of 1 brings 2 was in full effect shortly after as Fergus forced another error as the batter tried to turn to the legside and pop up a simple catch to Scott at square leg. 12-2 and the early momentum didn’t stop there. Macca was presented with a straightforward caught and bowled opportunity which he duly accepted. 12-3 and the GOATs were elated.
The fourth wicket proved somewhat more difficult to prise out as St Boswells frustrated the bowlers with some resolute defence, agricultural mows and swings and misses, which saw the score progress to 33-3. Then the floodgates were well and truly opened. Macca bowled the set batsman Laidlaw for a well made 16, then after a swift 9 from no.6 batsman Marshall, Macca induced a slap to mid wicket which was snaffled by Ash and 33-3 had soon become 43-5.
Having bowled himself out, the skipper turned to Ash and was duly rewarded with 4 wickets from him. The first of which was an lbw decision given against the St Boswells no.4 batsman playing back to one that should have been defended off the front foot. The second was a simple caught and bowled from the no.8 batswoman, who in attempt to turn the ball square popped up a leading edge. Ash’s third wicket was a beautiful piece of bowling deceiving the Boswells batter and clipping off stump to reduce St Boswells to 46-8. This was then 46-9 as Alan got in on the act by inducing an ill-advised slap to mid on which was gleefully accepted by Macca. The innings was over shortly after as Ash got his 4th wicket as the Boswells batter trod on his stumps. 48 all out from 22 overs. A truly superb bowling and fielding performance from Haddington and the game was poised for an intriguing second half.
Tea was consumed with appropriate gusto and the thoughts turned to a first win of the season. The skipper decided to promote Ashy up to open with Scott in an attempt to try and knock the runs off quickly before the inevitable deluge came. Unfortunately, this was not possible as after only 3 overs the heavens well and truly opened, the St Boswells headed off the field praying for the rain to continue. The Haddington batters and fans trudged off towards the pavilion to seek shelter from the rain.
No one returned from the pavilion and the game was abandoned shortly after 3.30pm as both captains shook hands as the rain continued to pour and huge puddles similar to those seen on Peppa Pig were beginning to form on the path outside the Neilson Park pavilion. No points from the game, but huge positive to take again from the bowling and fielding performance.
Thoughts now turn to next week’s away trip to Peffermill to play Edinburgh University Staff.
GOATS suffer heart-breaking defeat in nail-biting run chase
Well the time was upon us. Time to dust off the kit, clear the mice from the kitbag and check where on earth the whites were hiding in the house. For their first league outing of the season, the GOATs headed to the “tropical” destination of Roseburn to face Murrayfield DAFS 2s. Raining on the drive to Roseburn and 6 degrees on the temperature gauge made the prospects of play exciting to all involved.
With grey clouds overhead, rain in the air and a green and soft pitch made the toss potentially pivotal. Newly appointed skipper Macca shocked the GOATS by winning the toss (100% success rate) and chose to bowl.
Fergus was summoned from the world of accountancy to open the bowling and bowled a good accurate length and probed away. Macca decided to open with himself, damp green pitch why not try some spin? The new look opening bowling partnership were rewarded with 2 early wickets, Fergus shattering the timbers and labradoodle James juggling a routine chance at cover to hand the skipper his first wicket of his captaincy year.
Fergus and Macca continued to probe away with little reward. On came Rob Hiley and kolpak player Timmy Hancox in a double change. Hiley struck first ball sending one through the batter’s defences and DAFS were 4 down without many on the board. Things were looking rosy. Hancox picked up his first and another wicket for the team with one that the batter hit into his own foot and then dribbled back onto the stumps. Hancox picked up a second and DAFS were 30-6.
A stubborn 7th wicket partnership from the DAFS skipper and number 8 batter saw the scoreboard grind to a halt and the anchor deployed. 30-6 crept along to 48-6 before a true throwback moment. Alan rolled back the years with a superb run out to break the resistance and open the door further for the GOATs. The highlight of this run out being Fergus dive over the ball, missing it in the process and allowing it to trickle through to Alan who splattered the stumps.
Alan then came onto bowl and did what he does best, bowl slow and pick up a deserved wicket, the number 9 batter offering a simple catch to Ash at point. Ferg returned to the attack and took his second wicket before Rob Hiley finished things off with a superb caught and bowled to dismiss the last batter. 63 all out. A superb bowling and fielding performance duly rewarded. Tea was consumed with relish.
Now if you are a regular follower or of Haddington Cricket Club, you know we don’t like to make life easy for ourselves. Shockingly, this did not change in the first game of the new season. 64 was the target and long story short it was not achieved. A green pitch, long wet outfield and disciplined bowling saw Haddington lose wickets with alarming regularity to be dismissed for a paltry 58. Only JCM made double figures with his score of 10 (denied at least 15 more runs by the slow and sodden outfield).
Alan was clean bowled early, Scott followed suit and Rob H was also bowled to leave the GOATs reeling at 12-3, not ideal chasing 64. JCM and Tim steadied the ship and eeked the score towards 30 with some sensible batting and good calling. Then a moment of inspiration from the opposition skipper, bring on a spinner on a green wet pitch made for seam bowling. Andrews contrived to draw Tim into skying one up to be dismissed and then JCM saw a defensive prod dribble onto his own stumps. 27-5. Shawsy was joined at the crease by Macca and the plan had turned to attritional cricket and an accumulation of singles being the order of the day.
Unfortunately for Shawsy, he missed a straight one and was adjudged LBW. 29-6. By this point, hairs were becoming greyer than the clouds above and the task of chasing down the remaining 35 was left to the bowlers. Uh oh! Andy Bell and Macca ground out a few more runs to progress the score to 45 before the skipper chipped a drive to a juggling mid on to be dismissed for a gritty 9. Over to Andy and Timmy. Nudges were nudged, nurdles were nurdled and the score edged closer before Timmy H skyed one up off Andrews to leave the score on 51-8. Ash came in to join Andy, this partnership did not last long before Andy was bowled by the returning opening bowler. 52-9. 12 to win needed from the mighty Ashy and Ferg. Alas, there was no Jack Leachesque fairy tale ending here. Ferg was clean bowled to see Haddington dismissed for 58 and an agonising defeat was confirmed.