vs Boroughmuir 13th May 2017

Bogey Team Does For Haddy At Home

Haddington Cricket Club slipped to a second home loss in as many games as their perennial bogey team, Boroughmuir, defended a huge total at Neilson Park. With a slightly damp surface and grey skies yielding bouts of drizzle, home skipper Tim Blades elected to bowl and make use of helpful movement. Claiming Beard caught and bowled early on, and beating the bat of Hutchinson repeatedly early on, the decision looked justified. However, the momentum swung when opener Hussain was dropped at point on just 15. From then on, it was a punishing afternoon for the Haddington bowlers. Ash Kumar escaped unscathed with 8 overs going for just 15, and junior Fergus Syme took 2 wickets in an accomplished spell from the Tennis Court End. Tom Dalrymple came back well from being smote for a huge six into said courts by Hussain in a threatening second spell, but everyone else suffered as Hussain powered the ball straight and over extra cover with few other chances given in a brilliant 145 not out. Hutchinson and captain Sid Singh offered the main support as the visitors posted 252 from 40 overs, Scott Logan picking up 2 wickets in his only over at the death to give Haddington an extra bonus point. 

In reply, Peter Talbot and Dalrymple were able to knock the ball around easily for 1s and 2s, with the odd boundary coming easily too as Boroughmuir set the field deep immediately relinquishing any pressure. A couple of dodgy hamstrings added to ‘Muir’s reputation as one of the weaker fielding outfits in the division and it was up to Haddington to get themselves out. Unfortunately, that they did, as Dalrymple played across one from Hutchinson which kept a little low, and Chris Sale poked a slow lifter directly into slip’s welcoming arms. Talbot marched on with Pete Borrowman, little and large rotating strike comfortable and keeping pace with the rate. Crucially, that man again Hussain intervened and, despite bowling off two paces and hobbling around, took a stunning caught and bowled to nip Talbot out for a round and well played 50. Debutant Russell Mcintyre, he of Gullane Golf Club, played straight and ran fast in constructing an excellent 36. He took a special liking to the off-spin of Venkataraman, employing a firm iron towards midwicket. 

The surprise package in the bowling was Siddegowda who extracted good lift from the surface and clean bowled Mcintyre with a quick, full delivery. Blades battled on with the tail, sending Singh onto the road over long-on, but despite a brief cameo from Kumar the total was always just out of reach. Boroughmuir juggled their bowlers well and bowled very intelligently, using the pace of the surface to mix their lengths up well and target the stumps when full. When Blades was bowled for 42 it was all done bar the shouting, or rather polite gesturing via forward defensive from the redoubtable Mr Chalmers. 220 all out the final score, leaving Haddington 7th of 10 but in touching distance of third place by virtue of bonus points.