One Run. One actual run.

by our guest reporter, F. Baggins Jnr.

Many thanks to GSB Solicitors for their continued support.

Haddington welcomed Marchmont CC to Neilson Park on a glorious mid-July afternoon seeking to gain revenge for an earlier mauling at Cavalry Park. Home skipper James Shaw, hiding a classic HCC match day hangover behind his aviators, managed to win the toss and insert the visitors. With Syme and Hancox exerting bounce and seam movement, early signs were promising for the Goats. However, Eager in particular set about nullifying the threat through some classical, lofted leg sided strokes. With some loose bowling, Marchmont moved quickly into the 40s, with a big score looking likely. Yet, Hancox, returning from a month of inaction, got the breakthrough, finding a hint of movement, with an excellently taken slip catch taken by Macdonald – a rarity in recent years for the men in maroon. Tom Proctor then entered the attack and set about his work with a miserly 6 over spell including two C & Bs to halt the visitors in their stride. Granger and Chetty were forced to shut up shop and set about the recovery, rotating the strike well, despite some good spells from the skipper, Macdonald and Arbuthnott. Regular contributions from the middle order brought Marchmont back to life, with it taking a superb return spell from Fergus Syme to keep the visitors to a well-made 159.

With some regular batters missing and a low score in the previous week, the hosts could be forgiven by seeing a total of 160 as a somewhat daunting task. However, a rejigged order of Kumar and Syme (a regular at No 10 in the order) set about the task, seeing off the new ball and playing some excellent shots round the ground to set a platform. A stunning on-drive from Syme being a particular highlight. Having laid the platform, the goats then succumbed to an all too familiar collapse, losing three quick wickets to reach drinks at 50-3. The returning Borrowman punished some short bowling on his way to a breezy 20, with Arbuthnott then taking up the reigns in the recovery yet, the hosts continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, limping to 100 – 6. The injured Macdonald and  Arbuthnott, however formed a potentially match saving partnership, expertly punishing some loose bowling to take the home side to within sight of a much needed win. With the fall of Macdonald, Arbuthnott was left to take the goats home, steering the home side within four of victory with three wickets left in hand. A win seemed all but likely. Yet, Haddington managed to seize defeat from the jaws of victory, with Granger holding his nerve to remove Arbuthnott (albeit with a near two bouncer!) and then Elliot, in between a calamitous run out, to seal a dramatic one run victory for the visitors. A game played in good spirits from both sides despite the high tension. The hosts were left to lick their wounds, now looking to respond with a trip to Huntlyburn to face Melrose.