Edinburgh CC 2nd XI - 17th June 2017
No Fun In The Sun For Goats
Haddington Cricket Club succumbed to a third home defeat of the season in three home games against Edinburgh CC on Saturday. Again, for the third time, it was a failed attempt at chasing a 200-plus total which caused the bruised and besieged walls of fortress Neilson Park to crumble. On this occasion, at least, it was a valiant effort in the face of tough odds - the visitors unbeaten and totally untroubled in all their games so far, putting up 350 on one occasion and most recently rolling Glenrothes for 87 before chasing it down in just nine overs (at least in the pub early chaps).
Here, Haddington gained 8 of the possible 10 losing bonus points on offer. While this helps keep them 6th in the league, the Goats’ home form will have to improve if they are to remain in the hunt for a top four finish to match last season. They have a good chance against Linlithgow 2nds this Saturday from 1pm. Promotion already looks to be between Edinburgh and then one of Boroughmuir or Westquarter - the former defending just 76 against the latter at the weekend in a contest constructed to banish the last remaining thoughts of cricket being a batsman’s game in Scotland.
The wicket was certainly interesting at Haddington - spongey on top with a firmness beneath; rather like an arctic roll. The home team were down to only two frontline seamers, though Tom Proctor battled commendably through his full allocation in searing heat, picking up Sohaib Butt for just 6 runs. His partner in demolition, Ahmed Butt, made a composed 40 but looked a little unsure of which hand to play. Ash Kumar picked up 3 wickets in total, one caught brilliantly behind by Peter Talbot, but proved expensive as the visitors’ middle order came into play. Pete Borrowman, makeshift 5th bowler, varied his pace brilliantly to take 3 wickets, two caught by Chris Sale to add to his impressive outfield tally for the year.
In reply, little quarter was given by some excellent seam bowling with Cruickshank (tight LBW) & Talbot (bowled) falling early with the score 16-2. Sale & Tim Blades were both given lives off the unfortunate Irshaad, though Sale was soon bowled by a delivery pitching middle & leg, then clipping the off bail. Blades & Borrowman dropped anchor, unable to beat the field despite some attractive orthodox drives, and with little loose to feed on with the ball not coming onto the bat evenly. The pair put on close to 100 in 20 overs but the rate was an absurd 13 per over by the time they found their attacking shots - Blades bowled for 47 and Borrowman unbeaten on 48. There was time for a quick cameo from Scott Logan too to ensure an extra batting point - Haddy finishing 137-5 from 40.