DMPS Financial Services St Michael's

Match Reports 2010

A Wasted Journey?

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club travelled to the west end of Glasgow last Saturday to play Anniesland knowing that a victory would put them 46 points clear of nearest rivals GHK who had a free week in the 2010 schedule.

On a damp and overcast day the Anniesland wicket was softer than anticipated, so when Saints won the toss they asked their hosts to bat.

It quickly became apparent that the pitch was dead and the more effort the DMPS Saints opening bowlers put in the slower the ball came through. It took Saints 23 overs to make their first breakthrough, dismissing Malik for 19 when Kirkpatrick took his usual high standard of catch at point off the bowling of Pagan. Four balls later Pagan took his and the sides second wicket to leave Anniesland on 75-2.

Friend was the next wicket taker, having Sornan caught behind smartly by Muir for the innings top score of 61. Ten overs passed before another wicket fell when Friend claimed his second and final victim, Hawkins plumb lbw for 14.

Although only four wickets had fallen, DMPS Saints were keeping the run rate down and the batsmen frustrated. This approach paid off as a plethora of wickets fell in quick succession and Anniesland went from 127-4 to 142-8 in seven excellent overs from Saints. Brockwell picked up two wickets and the fielding – so much better than last week – looked sharp with two pieces of quality resulting in consecutive run outs.

With the heavens starting to open and the home side’s confidence disappearing quickly, the batsmen were off like a shot when offered the option to leave the crease. This resulted in tea being taken early and a delay in resuming the innings of approximately an hour. This would play a major part in developments later.

When the sides retook the field, it took Brockwell a mere six deliveries to take the remaining two wickets and end the Anniesland innings on 145 all out.

Friend and Brockwell opened the DMPS Saints innings late in the day and the former looked like he had a bus to catch – as it turned out later he did! – as he smashed two boundaries in the first over and left a lasting impression on the cover fielder who got in the way of a third thunderbolt destined for the ropes.

After another delay due to a nosebleed, Brockwell was first to go as he played on for nine. Muir joined Friend at the crease and looked uneasy to start but soon found his feet and began to accumulate runs. The Anniesland side were now slowing everything down within the laws of the game as chasing down the runs in the gloom is obviously harder, and the prospect of more rain was a real possibility.

Friend and Muir put on an excellent 63 run partnership until the Aussie was bowled by the accurate off-spin of Chohan who was becoming all the more difficult to pick up in the fading light. Kishore joined his vice-captain and both decided to really go for quick runs and give Saints the best chance of victory in what was turning out to be a very short space of time.

When the score was on 101-2 in the 79th over, the persistent rain turned heavier and the game was postponed once again. Postponement turned into abandonment as it became clear that the game could not be completed. Muir and Kishore finished undefeated on 33 and 14 not out respectively.

As the game did not complete 80 full overs, the result is null and void, with both sides neither gaining or losing points and therefore keeping the same percentage result for league standings. Saints were in an extremely strong position to win the game, and given just half an hour of good weather conditions, were confident in doing so. However, to play on and be in the hands of the weather Gods would have been a huge gamble at this time of the season. On reflection, both sides were probably content on the result given the circumstances.

Next week sees DMPS Saints take on their sole rivals for the WDCU Division 2 league title with GHK visiting Kingholm Park. With Saints currently 21 points and seven percentage points above the visitors, this surely is the biggest and most exciting game of the season so far. The game starts at 1.00 pm and the side would like to encourage as many people down to support the team.

27/07/10

DMPS Saints use Get Out of Jail Free Card

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club hosted third placed Kilmarnock last Saturday aiming for their tenth outright victory of the 2010 season and looking to maintain their top spot in the Western Union Division II.

Saints won the toss as the Kilmarnock skipper missed the 12.45pm cut off time, and Saints put the visitors into bat on a damp and what looked like a bowler friendly pitch.
The DMPS Saints side took the field with several regulars unavailable and a few of the players suffering with the dreaded “man flu”. The side then produced their worst performance in the field of the 2010 season, dropping numerous catches and committing several misfields due to a lack of concentration. Some dubious lbw decisions – and bizarre reasons for the downturned appeals given - didn’t help the mood in the camp as the afternoon wore on.

Kilmarnock amassed 181-7 in their 50 overs with Aleen topscoring with 52 not out and Zeeshan also making 39. Saints dropped both of these batsmen five and four times respectively. Pick of the Saints bowlers was Brockwell picking up 3 wickets for 36 runs, while Smith bagged two and Pagan and Farrukh one apiece.

During the break the DMPS Saints players were reminded that while the whole team's performance in the field was unacceptable, each and every one still had a job to with the bat and the game was still there to be won.

Despite the early losses of Whalen, Brockwell, and Muir, Saints were still up with the run-rate on 48-3 from 18 overs. Kishore and Smith then put together the biggest partnership of the day and one that turned out to be the eventual match winner.

The pair added 121 invaluable runs against some very good tight bowling, playing patiently when required and then putting away the bad ball when it arrived. When Smith was given out lbw for a superb 49 – the second of the match and both given by the home umpires! – the DMPS Saints score had reached 169-4 in the 46th over.

Kishore sealed the Saints five wicket win with a huge six over mid-on with 2.5 overs to spare, and finished undefeated with a brilliant 72.

This was a great victory especially considering the team's poor performance in the field. The feel good factor got even better when the news that second placed GHK had been well beaten by Whitehaugh, leaving DMPS Saints with a 21 point advantage over their nearest Glasgow rivals.

The Palmerston Furniture Man of the Match award went to Ashunul Kishore for his best and most responsible innings for the club, scoring a quite superb 72 not out.

Scores: Kilmarnock CC 181-7 (Aleen 52 no, Sayid 39, Baig 27 ; Brockwell 3-36, Smith 2-57) : DMPS St. Michael’s CC 183-5: (Kishore 72 no, Smith 49, Brockwell 30)

19/07/10

DMPS Saints Gain Convincing Win over Cambusdoon

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club hosted Cambusdoon last Saturday aiming for their ninth outright victory of the 2010 season.

On winning the toss Saints had no hesitation in asking the opposition to bat as this gives the side batting second the best opportunity to go for the win.

Cambusdoon batted in circumspective fashion against opening bowlers Smith and Farrukh and had only made 20 runs in the first nine overs when Smith bowled McCrossin. Within four overs Smith had taken his and the side's second wicket, this time having fellow opener Spiers bowled with a famous Kingholm shooter.

Farrukh got a sore one in the calf muscle while attempting to stop a ball that was smashed straight back at him, and manfully he kept playing, taking the gloves off Muir and doing an excellent job behind the sticks as usual.

Smith claimed another wicket four overs later, this time bowling Borland for eight to leave Cambusdoon on 58-3 at the half way stage of their innings. Brockwell then got into the act, with the aid of a catch by Sloan, dismissing McClymont for 3.

Cambusdoon then had their largest partnership of the innings, putting 22 runs on the board with a partnership between skipper Mitchell and Leck. Leck was next to be dismissed, caught at mid-on by Smith off the bowling of Brockwell to leave the opposition on 80-5 in the 36th over.

A fter settling down youngster Dougie Sloan bowled an economic spell, going for only three runs an over, and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket, but did exactly the job his side required in the middle of the opposition's innings.

The next four wickets – only ten of the Cambusdoon players had arrived when they were batting – fell for only seven further runs with Brockwell taking his third wicket of the day, and Matthew Friend taking three wickets for a mere four runs with his tight off-spin.
Cambusdoon were dismissed for 87 runs in 43.2 overs.

In reply DMPS Saints set off with a determined focus and opening pair Brockwell and Friend started hitting the ball to all parts of the ground. In the eighth over Brockwell obviously decided he wanted to go and watch the World Cup and got caught off the bowling of leg-spinner Spiers as he tried to hit the ball into Troqueer. Saints were on 52-1 at this stage.

Friend continued taking the Cambusdoon bowlers apart finishing on 53 not out with his best display with the bat this season, and despite the dismissal of Muir for seven, DMPS raced over the winning line in 11.2 overs for an eight wicket win and a valuable 25 points.

The Dinwoodie Lodge Johnstonebridge Man of the Match award went to Matthew Friend for his excellent all-round performance, top scoring with 53 not out and taking three wickets. However, Friendy would like to dedicate this award to Chris Brockwell as he dropped a sitter off the youngsters bowling in cover, and Brocky is as we all know Friendy’s hero!

Scores: Cambusdoon 87 all out: (Friend 3-4, Brockwell, 3-12, Smith 3-31) :
DMPS St. Michael’s CC 89-2 (Friend 53 no)

07/07/10

DMPS Saints Maintain Slim Lead at Top

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club travelled to Glasgow last Saturday with an under-strength side to play Glasgow University Staff in their gated community Garscube, knowing that another 25 points were desperately needed to maintain their slim two point advantage over GHK.

On arrival Saints were the only team present, and despite a slow trickle of opposition players appearing, the G U Staff captain was not available for the 12.45pm cut off for the toss as per league rules and DMPS Saints happily inserted the opposition in to bat.

It only took six balls for Smith to quite literally destroy Clarke’s off stump and Saints never looked back from that moment. Brockwell had opposition skipper Byford lbw with an arm ball in the sixth over and Smith took G U Staff’s third wicket four balls later, dismantling Bell’s timber this time. G U Staff were on 9-3 from seven overs.

With Smith and Brockwell bowling in tight tandem, runs were hard to come by for the home side, and when Charan tried to break the shackles by means of a huge heave at a full delivery, he was bowled by Smith for ten in the fifteenth over. Three overs later Brockwell took his second wicket, aided by the mythical beast i.e. a slip catch by birthday boy Heron, having Bartlett dismissed for nine.

First change bowler Mark Pagan came on and once he found his rhythm, tied down an end with a spell that, while producing no wickets, did exactly what was required for his side on the day and went for a mere three runs per over. Brockwell continued to bowl extremely well and completed his 15 over spell picking up another two wickets, Gouraj stumped by Muir for 10 and Insall caught for a duck by debutant Seymour who took potentially the catch of the 2010 season!

Number six batsman Ahmed kept calm and played a gem of an innings for his side while the rest of his partners came and went to reduce G U Staff to 62-7.

When Smith re-entered the attack he took Rial’s wicket as Lumb broke the laws of gravity to leap like a salmon to take a great catch at mid-off. Matthew Friend took up his “old firm” partner's mantle as the side's spinner to bowl 10.3 overs and pick up two wickets, Romen for 15 and finally Ahmed, stumped by Muir for an excellent 71.

G U Staff were bowled out for 150 which was exactly the target DMPS Saints had set themselves before the innings, as the team felt that this could be chased especially with such a quick outfield. Credit must go to all the bowlers for a great effort and the fielders, especially Lumb, Wilson, Pagan and Seymour, who put their body behind the ball and saved runs on numerous occasions.

After enjoying their tea – including what turned out to be Fred Perry’s sandwiches and cakes – opening batsmen Brockwell and Friend took to the field with positive intent.
Brockwell was looking in great nick when in the fifth over he smashed a ball onto his own foot and the ball ricocheted back onto the stumps for a really unlucky dismissal. With the score on 28, Brockwell had made 18 of the total.

DMPS Saints' second wicket fell 10 overs later, when Friend smashed a cut straight to Bell at gully who had to catch it or be decapitated. Friend had batted beautifully up to his dismissal for 34 quality runs. Meanwhile, vice skipper Muir was looking more like his old self, playing each ball on its merits, and punishing each and every bad ball.

Kishore was bowled by a straight one that was deemed to be “an absolute jaffa” by the bowler himself – nothing like self praise – for a single run which left Saints on 87-3 from 15 overs.

Smith joined Muir and both looked like they were in a hurry to finish the match and head back to the “less salubrious side of Dumfries” to celebrate an easy victory. Another 44 runs were added to the total when Smith misjudged a big hit and was caught at extra-cover for a quick 19.

Heron joined his vice skipper at the crease with a mere 21 runs needed for victory, and crabbed about while Muir smashed the bowling and gave DMPS Saints a comprehensive victory in 27.1 overs. Muir finished on 58 not out while Heron bored all with 7 not out.
With eight games remaining, Saints are two points in front of GHK CC in what now looks like very much a two horse race, with both teams due to meet up at Kingholm Park in three weeks time.

The A C Eggleton & Co Man of the Match award went to Duncan Muir for his excellent all-round performance top, scoring with 58 not out and taking one catch and two stumpings with the gloves.

Scores: G U Staff CC 150 all out (Ahmed 71 ; Brockwell 4-28, Smith 4-34, Friend 2-41) :
DMPS St. Michael’s CC 151-4 (Muir 58 no, Friend 34 ; Insall 2-43)

07/07/10

DMPS Saints Still Top Despite Draw

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club hosted Bothwell last Saturday knowing that the opposition had travelled with a couple of Scottish National Cricket League premier players in their ranks, as the Uddingston 1st X1 had the day off for the Scotland versus England one day international in Edinburgh.

Saints lost the toss – no surprise there then – and were asked to bat by the opposition skipper McKenzie.

With the ball moving about early on, the most contentious ball and decision of the day occurred when Brockwell missed a delivery that jagged away off the pitch and clip his back leg on the way through to the 'keeper. A massive appeal took place from behind the stumps – not supported initially by the bowler McKenzie quite tellingly – and when this was given correctly not out by the DMPS Saints umpire, both Brockwell’s honesty and parentage was questioned loudly and continually.

With the Saints score on 42, Brockwell was bowled by Isles in the 14th over for eight runs having not looked in the supreme form he has shown all season so far. This brought vice skipper Muir to the crease to join Friend. A crucial partnership of 61 was built over the next 13 overs until Friend was dismissed for an excellent 40 runs. Saints were in a solid position of 103-2 from 27 overs.

Muir was run out 25 runs four overs later when a mix-up with Ashunal “time bomb” Kishore saw the vice skipper dismissed for another solid knock on 39. Henry Whalen joined Kishore and showed his technique and class straight away, playing some beautiful cricket shots.

Both batsmen punished the bad ball and pushed quick singles. When Kishore lived up to his new nickname and ran himself out in the 40th over for 34 runs, which had been aided by some awful catching from Bothwell, the DMPS Saints score had moved on to 173 to put them in a perfect position to push home their advantage in the last 10 overs.

The last ten overs produced a healthy 64 runs, mostly from the bat of Mark Smith who now looks to have adjusted to the wickets in Scotland and also has started to pace his innings superbly. The only wicket to fall was that of Whalen who just gets better the more he plays, this time knocking up an important 26 runs. Saints innings finished on 237-5 with Smith on 44 not out and Farrukh on 8 not out carrying their bats.

During the latter part of the DMPS Saints innings and also during the tea break, the opposition were overheard saying that the total posted by the home team was too high to chase and that their approach would be to play out for the draw. Saints therefore realised that it was highly unlikely that they would lose the game, but would need all 10 wickets to secure the win and the much coveted 25 points this would bring.

The Bothwell innings didn’t exactly get off to a flyer, as both openers were content to block virtually every ball and showed little or no interest in scoring any runs. Interestingly only one umpire was deemed capable of umpiring at both ends by the away side.

When the first wicket fell in the eighth over, the score was on a mere 12 runs, Bothwell captain McKenzie was run out for five after a massive mix up with Bowa, and showed his anger inappropriately, smashing all three stumps out of the ground with his bat before departing to the pavilion.

The next two wickets fell three overs later, when Smith had both batsmen caught behind off their gloves to sharp catches by Farrukh. Great credit must go to batsmen KP and Gul for both walking when legitimately dismissed as Ladbrokes had stopped taking bets that “The” umpire was going to give either out. Bothwell were now on 16-3 from 11 overs.

In the very next over things went from bad to worse for the visitors when another mix-up lead to a direct hit from square leg by Kishore and Dass was run out without troubling the scorers. The honesty of youngster Danne standing at square leg umpire was again refreshing to see.

Only three runs were added before Bothwell’s fifth wicket fell, this time opener Bowa being bowled by Smith for nine with the score on 19 from 16 overs.

Din and Baxter then put on the largest partnership of the Bothwell innings, both playing cautiously to the good deliveries but willing to put away the bad ball. 24 runs were added to the total when Baxter was bowled by Rankine for 10, the score having raced on to 43-6 from 27 overs.

Two overs later, Heron reintroduced Smith into the attack and the big Aussie bowled Din for 14 runs with a great yorker.

The visitors now had no intention of going for the runs and were content to try and simply stop Saints from taking all ten wickets and winning. As a spectacle, this type of cricket (not the opposition's fault but the result of the League rules we all play to) is the equivalent to water boarding - slow torture! Is it any wonder that a lot of people say cricket is boring? On this performance we couldn’t really argue.

Despite Saints mixing up the bowling and setting some ridiculous field settings to offer free runs everywhere for an attacking shot, Bothwell scored a paltry 38 runs from the remaining 21 overs. Saints could only manage to prise a further two wickets in this time, one apiece for Brockwell and Rankine, leaving the home side frustrated as Bothwell finished on 87-9 from 50 overs.

DMPS gained 21 points by achieving 237 runs and taking 9 wickets and now have a slender lead of two points at the top of WDCU Division II.

The Cairndale Hotel Man of the Match award went to Mark Smith for his excellent all-round performance top scoring with 44 not out and taking four wickets for a miserly 23 runs.

Scores: DMPS St. Michael’s CC 237-5 (Smith 44 no, Friend 40, Muir 39, Kishore 34, Whalen 26) : Bothwell CC 87-9 (Smith 4-33, Rankine 2-4).

23/06/10

DMPS Saints Beat Nunholm to Go Top

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club travelled the three miles to local rivals Nunholm last Saturday, knowing that a win was vital in their quest to win WDCU Division II and that the opposition would like nothing better than to put one over the side four places above them in the table.

For the second week in a row Saints won the toss and surprised the opposition by asking them to bat first.

A steady partnership was built by the evergreen pair of Williams and Farries until the latter was adjudged lbw from Smith’s bowling by one of the two league-appointed umpires with the score on 29 in the ninth over. Two overs later Smith took his second wicket, assisted by a sharp catch at point by specialist fielder Kirkpatrick, dismissing Williams for 17.

The biggest partnership for Nunholm then developed until Cross was bowled by Brockwell for 12, playing a shot that definitely was not out of the cricketing textbook. Richardson was the next wicket to fall, again bowled by Brockwell, aided by a surprised looking Muir at mid-on. At the halfway stage of 25 overs Nunholm were on 79-4.

Seven overs and 17 runs passed before Saints got another wicket, this time Rankine claiming the dangerous Davidson for 40, caught at mid-wicket by debutant Whalen. At 96-5 in the 32nd over and with Davidson in the hutch, Smith was reintroduced into the attack with the aim of cleaning up the tail as quickly as possible.

Faced by Smith bowling in tandem with Brockwell, the Nunholm tail completely capitulated and the next five wickets fell for a mere 15 runs in eight overs. Smith finished with four wickets, Brockwell finished with his first five wicket haul since he was knee high to a grasshopper, and Rankine claimed a solitary but very important wicket.

Restricting their opponents to 111 runs on a typical Nunholm batting track and a lightning outfield was better than anyone could have hoped for, but at the same time the players knew that getting the runs would not be easy and partnerships would be the key.

DMPS Saints did not get off to the best possible start, when run machine Brockwell was caught at first slip for two. This was a most bizarre dismissal as the bowler had kicked the wicket over during his delivery stride, one stump cart wheeling down the track at the same time as the ball.

Muir was the next Saints' batsman to return to the pavilion after being caught behind, cutting at one too close to his body after previously showing some good restraint leaving several similar balls. At 25-2 from 9 overs Saints at this point were still in a relatively strong position.

A partnership of 35 runs between Friend and Kishore was built before opener Friend was caught in the covers off a leading edge from the bowling of Alexander senior. Three balls later Kishore rather threw his wicket away, lofting another Alexander delivery to mid-off to be dismissed for 22.

Whilst the alarm bells weren’t quite ringing it was somewhat uncomfortable for the DMPS Saints side to see the total on 60-4 from 18 overs.

However, Antipodean Smith showed his class with the bat, smashing his first delivery to the boundary and continuing in this vain for the rest of the innings. He was backed up by new Saints recruit Henry Whalen, playing only his second game of the season, as they took the attack to the Nunholm bowlers and produced the most important partnership of the DMPS Saints reply as they shared a total 44 runs.

When Whalen was caught at gully for an excellent 20 runs trying to finish the game off in style, Saints were on 104-5 from 27 overs and only eight runs shy of victory.

The winning runs were sliced over slips by 'keeper Farrukh in the 30th over, giving DMPS Saints a five wicket victory, with Smith carrying his bat to his best performance of the season with 27 not out.

This was a great win for Saints in their local rivals' back yard, and was made even sweeter when the news that GHK had drawn at Bothwell filtered through, putting Saints top of WDCU Division II for the first time this season.

The Green-Scapes Man of the Match award went to Mark Smith for his excellent all-round performance (and we’re fed up giving it to Brockwell every week!!) taking four wickets and top scoring with 27 not out.

Scores: Nunholm 111 all out (Davidson 40 ; Brockwell 5-15) : DMPS St. Michael’s CC 112-5 (Smith 27 no, Kishore 22, Whalen 20, M Friend 16 ; S Alexander 2-26)

17/06/10

Brockwell Leads Saints To Sixth Straight Win

Last weekend DMPS St Michael's took on Whitehaugh at Kingholm Quay on a hot and sunny day. Although Whitehaugh were situated midway up the Division II ladder, it was a crucial match for each side as the outcome may well have had an effect on the number one spot.

After winning the toss, Saints Captain Derek Heron decided to have a bowl. The first wicket to fall was a run out produced in the fashion of a long chase and flat throw over the bails by Chris Brockwell leaving the dangerous looking McLeod short of his ground by a healthy two yards. This brought Cook to the crease - a young aggressive batsmen, who looked like wasting no time in boosting Whitehaugh's scoreboard.

However he lost his middle stump for only seven runs in an attempt to hit one over the clubhouse. A partnership then began to develop between the stubborn opening batsmen Ogilvy and number four Christianson. The former played the role of a mainstay and the latter looked to get the run rate moving along, which at this point was under two per over from 12 bowled.

After a number of tight overs from first change Ross Marscheider, Christianson was dismissed by a top edge which was taken comfortably by wicketkeeper Farrukh Shah. Marscheider and spinner Brockwell formed a terrific bowling partnership, which proved difficult to score and survive against. The next and final three wickets to be taken by the home team came from the bowling of Brockwell in the form of an lbw, a caught behind, and an extemely unusual hit wicket where number five batsmen Burgess fell back onto his stumps following an attempt at a slashing shot outside the off-stump. Brockwell bowled a fantastic spell which earned him the tidy figures of 3 for 25 from 12 overs.

Whitehaugh managed to put on a handy 70 runs in a unbeaten seventh wicket partnership, leaving Saints feeling that an inadaquate fielding performance had been delivered as they left the ground for a half time tea break.

With a target of 157 runs to win, Matthew Friend and Brockwell kicked off the innings in fine fashion, maintaining a commanding run rate of over five runs per over throughout the duration of their partnership. Whitehaugh seemed to have no answer, particularly to the batting prowess of Brockwell. He was able to produce every shot in the book, all executed with perfect timing.

The first wicket to fall was Friend to a thick edge to first slip for a score of 25 - highlighted by the biggest six of the day which silenced the fielding team. Once again, St Michael's were blessed with yet another opening partnership exceeding the 50 run mark, one of several that have proved to be invaluable this season.

It was now Muir's turn to have a bat. It was clear that his role was to support Brockwell by turning over singles and using his experience and wisdom to talk Chris through a big innings as he surpassed 50 runs and looked to be on track for his maiden century. Unfortunately, a century was not to be as he was caught on the mid-wicket boundary with 98 runs under his belt. All in all it was a brilliant innings, scored in quick time with the score at 151 upon dismissal. Muir decided to put Whitehaugh completely out of the match in the same over, smashing the winning runs in the next three balls. This made it six wins on the trot for DMPS St Michaels, maintaining their second place spot in the League, a mere one point behind GHK.

The John Henderson & Sons Man of the Match award went to Chris Brockwell (once again) for his run out, tremendous bowling performance & brutally executed 98.

Scores: Whitehaugh CC 156 - 6 (Greenhorn 53 n.o, Christianson 29, Ogilvy 22 ; Brockwell 3-25) : DMPS St Michaels CC: 157 - 2 (Brockwell 98, Friend 25, Muir 19 n.o)

10/06/10

Smith Bowls Saints to Victory

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club travelled to the west end of Glasgow last Saturday to play GHK, the only side above them in the WDCU Division II.

A journey that usually takes an hour and a half took closer to three hours due to the M74 being completely closed and when the side eventually made it to the ground things didn’t look too promising as the covers were on and continual rain was forecast.

Both captains agreed to delay the start of the game until 2.00 pm to allow the bowlers run-ups to dry out, and ten minutes before the start, as has been the norm this season, Saints lost the toss and were asked to bat in a reduced 40 over game.

Openers Brockwell and Friend were given a thorough working over by Rana and Allan, aided by a pitch that was both jagging about and showing variable bounce. Both battled away for seven overs until Friend followed one from Allan, caught behind for a hard-earned 12.

This brought Vice-Captain Muir to the crease and he began to build a partnership with Brockwell, both showing some resolute defence and putting the bad ball away to the boundary.

Having had a couple of lives earlier on in his innings, Brockwell eventually succumbed for 34 to Amin after putting on 53 with Muir - an excellent partnership considering that batting was certainly not easy. Kishore was the next man to come to the crease for DMPS Saints.

At the half way point of 20 overs, Saints were on 97-2 and during the drinks break discussions it was hoped that both batsmen could stay until at least the 30th over and have the side around the 150 run mark, which would allow for a final assault in the last 10 overs to try to get the side's total up to around 250.

This “cunning plan” lasted two balls as Ahmed had Muir caught behind for 27 gritty runs. Skipper Heron came to join Kishore knowing that, as well as not losing any more quick wickets, the run rate still had to be pushed along.

While Heron got tagged with a potential wrist breaker early on, Kishore was unfortunately caught at first slip off Anjum with the score on 115 in the 27th over. Marscheider didn’t trouble the scorers, Rana taking a sharp catch at square leg to dismiss the all-rounder.

With the score on 128-5 in the 29th over Aussie Mark Smith came to the crease to join his Captain. Both players took the quick singles available and tried to push the score along. Heron, showing his increasing years had to call for a runner after his hamstring had given way as if he had been shot by a sniper. Trying to get as many runs on the board as quickly as possible Heron was bowled for a decent 33 runs with the side on 155-6 in the 34th over.

The next two balls took the wind out of the Saint's sails as both Taylor and Aitken were adjudged – some might say harshly – lbw in consecutive deliveries giving Ahmed the highly sought-after hat-trick. While both batsmen were not happy with their individual decisions, they both showed the correct spirit, accepting the league appointed umpires decision without any decent or histrionics.

DMPS Saints grinded the total to 168 all out after 39 overs, with Rankine a run out sacrifice and Kirkpatrick being bowled by the canny Anjum. Smith remained undefeated on 14.

On reflection, too many of the Saints batsmen got themselves out at critical times when they had got themselves set, which resulted in too much pressure being placed on the following batters. However, Saints knew that they have the capability of defending 168 runs in a 50 over game, so they took the field knowing that in this reduced over match, a victory was still very much a possibility.

The first over of the GHK innings bowled by Mark Smith passed without any incident. However, the second over bowled by Derek Rankine, returning to the side after a tree hugging safari in Africa went off with a bang. The first three balls were lashed for 10 runs in unorthodox fashion but the fourth ball got Rankine his revenge, clean bowling Miza.

Smith was now bowling with great speed and accuracy, consistently troubling the GHK batsmen. His first wicket of the day was the dangerous looking Kamran, who should have taken his own advice – regularly given to his batting partner - and played straight instead of slashing at one to be caught behind by Muir.

Three overs later Smith was back in the act again, bowling Ahmed for ten with an absolute jaffa that pitched on middle and clipped the top of off stump. When first change bowler Marscheider found his rhythm and line and length he claimed Makie playing on for 8 with GHK on 71-4 off 16 overs.

With the game so tight, it was evident that Saints would have to get 10 wickets in order to get the victory, so it was a calculated gamble to bowl Smith straight through his 15 overs. This approach seemed to be working as Smith claimed his third wicket knocking the sticks over again, dismissing Amin for a duck.

Rankine was reintroduced into the attack and in his second comeback over he claimed the wicket of the stubborn Ahmed, lbw for 24. This was a turning point in the balance of the game as GHK were now teetering on 99-6 from 21 overs, some 70 runs shy of victory with only 4 wickets remaining.

Aussie Smith then produced a tremendous last five over spell, taking two more wickets – opener Hussain for an excellent 46 and Goodfield for 1 – for a miserly two runs. Smith had bowled 15 straight overs, claiming 5 wickets for a mere 34 runs in the best spell of bowling seen this season so far.

When Smith’s spell finished, with the score on 133-8 in the 33rd over, the GHK contingent cheered loudly as they obviously thought that a victory was still in their grasp now that the Australian could not bowl any more. However, DMPS Saints introduced the current man in form in the shape of Chris Brockwell. The all-rounder bowled a perfect line and length to the tail enders and wrapped up the game with two wickets in as many overs at the cost of no runs at all.

This was an enthralling game of cricket with DMPS Saints the worthy winners. This victory will see Saints a solitary point behind the side they have just vanquished, but in a strong position to make a run at the league title. Next week DMPS Saints will host Whitehaugh where another 25 points for victory are desperately sought.

The John Henderson & Sons Man of the Match award went to Mark Smith for giving absolutely everything to his side in his fifteen over straight spell, picking up a well earned five wicket haul.

Scores: DMPS St. Michael’s CC 168 all out (Brockwell 34, Heron 33, Muir 27 ; Ahmed 5-38) : GHK CC 139 all out (Hussain 46, Ahmed 24 ; Smith 5-34, Brockwell 2-0, Rankine 2-37)

30/05/10

DMPS Saints Make it Four Wins in a Row

25/05/10

Saints Put Title Rivals Kilmarnock to the Sword

Last Saturday saw DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club continue their winning streak with an emphatic victory over Kilmarnock.

DMPS Saints lost the toss (again!) and were asked to bat on a damp wicket that was still in the final stages of preparation on arrival. The team set themselves an aspirational target of 200 which it was thought could be defended with the bowling attack Saints had available on the day.

Saints opening batsmen Brockwell and Friend battled away in the bowling-friendly conditions and both performed admirably in building an opening partnership of 54 in 18 overs with Friend departing first for a hard-earned 16.

Muir joined Brockwell at the wicket and again a slow but steady partnership of 42 developed before Muir was adjudged quite correctly lbw for 11 by the early Scottish season speciality – the shooter! Kishore was promoted up the order to push along the run-rate and bat sensibly by supporting Brockwell, which to his great credit he did extremely well.

A mixture of quick singles and punishment of the slow bowlers by both produced the highest partnership of the day, and when Brockwell was eventually out for a quality 73 runs and his second consecutive half century, the pair had added a commendable 55 runs to the total.

At 151-3 from 39 overs the team were in the ideal position to achieve their target of 200 but things didn’t go quite to plan. The Saints middle order collapsed with the loss of six wickets for a paltry 17 runs in a terrible nine over spell. The one bright spot in this passage of play was new recruit Jimmy Aitken who came in at number 11 for the last over and gave the side the momentum they required for the second innings with a quick-fire 13 including one massive six over mid-wicket.

DMPS Saints finished on 184 all out, which was 15-20 runs short of an ideal total but was still competitive on a wicket that was still moving about.

The biggest surprise of the day took place during the tea break, when the home side decided to roll the wicket between innings. It was an unusual move as the common view was that this would bring the moisture back to the top of the wicket and make batting more difficult, but Saints weren’t complaining.

Kilmarnock – as is their reputation – went after the Saints bowling from the very start, with an edged boundary coming from Smith’s first delivery.

Old timer McKirdle bowled the second over of the innings uphill and into the wind – “this wouldn’t have happened 20 years ago” – and produced a piece of brilliance straight away, bowling Hill with his first delivery. In his next over he caught and bowled the dangerous Baig leaving the home side struggling on 13-2 from only 4 overs.

Smith decided that it was time he got in on the act, bowling Alem in the fifth over with one that pitched middle and clipped the top of off at a sharp pace. Things went quiet for only three overs, then Smith had the pegs tumbling again, bowling McFaddin for one.

When McKirdle took his third and final wicket an over later, having the dangerous looking Saeed lbw for 12, the wind had been completely knocked out of the Kilmarnock reply, with the home side struggling on 31-5 off 10 overs. Smith then took his third wicket also with help from keeper Muir having the evergreen Ashraf caught behind for five.

Kilmarnock were struggling on 57-6 from 18 overs and with McKirdle tiring, a change bowler to take care of the tail was required. This would usually have meant the introduction of Marscheider, but unfortunately Ross was struggling having taken a blow of the particularly painful sort while batting. Mark Pagan was therefore introduced into the attack and once he found the proper length took care of the remaining four Kilmarnock batsmen, one bowled, one lbw and two caught by Kirkpatrick and Aitken at point and mid-on respectively.

Saints comprehensively dismissed the home side for 68 runs from only 20.5 overs to win by a 116 run margin in the best display in the field of the 2010 season so far. DMPS Saints picked up their third straight 25 points for victory in as many weeks, and will hope to continue this momentum in the weeks ahead.

The Troqueer Garage Man of the Matchaward went to Graeme McKirdle for his destructive first 5 overs where he dismissed the main Kilmarnock batsmen and ended the hopes of a home victory so early in the game. It’s good to see that there’s still life in the old dog yet!

Scores: DMPS St. Michael’s CC 184 all out (Brockwell 73, Kishore 35) : Kilmarnock CC 68 all out (Pagan 4-13, Smith 3-22, McKirdle 3-30).

18/05/10

Saints Move Up Table

Last Saturday saw DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club continue the winning habit with a comfortable victory over visitors Langloan.

For the first time this season DMPS Saints won the toss and had no hesitation in asking Langloan to bat. Whilst there were no early breakthroughs for the opening bowlers, the batsmen were hardly troubling the scorers. In fact, when the first wicket was taken in the 20th over, Brockwell bowling MacKay for 21, the visitors' total was a mere 41.

Saints approached the middle overs using spin at both ends as Friend bowled accurately and was unfortunate not to get a wicket in his ten over spell. Brockwell then took his second wicket of the day, when the other opener Bryson was caught by Smith for 13, the score having moved on to 54 in the 28th over. Langloan’s biggest partnership of the day of 38 developed with Hamilton and Stevenson at the crease but was was broken in the 39th over when Smith, who had been brought back on, knocked over Stevenson’s pegs with a trademark yorker.

Fellow opening bowler Farrukh was also brought back into the attack and got into the action straight away when Aziz, who obviously thought the best plan for the visitors was attack, was caught at mid-on by Heron. In his very next over Farrukh had another victim, this time aided by a sharp low catch by Brockwell at mid-off to leave the visitors on 110-5 off 44 overs.

Smith claimed his second wicket bowling Allison for 1, and Farrukh then had Perman lbw with a slower ball. Smith bowled McDonald in the 49th over for his third and final wicket of the day, and Langloan didn’t lose any more wickets as they ground out 135 runs in their allotted 50 overs.

Overall, this was a very disciplined performance by DMPS Saints in the field. The bowlers produced a commendable 14 maidens during the innings. However a couple of dropped catches took the shine off what would have been an impressive display.

In reply DMPS Saints set about getting the runs in dominant fashion, especially Brockwell who smashed 11 off the first over.

Both Brockwell and Friend, the self-anointed “old firm” as was later announced in the pub, took a liking to what was being offered up by the Langloan bowlers. Brockwell raced to his fifty in quick time before losing a bit of concentration and was caught in cover for an excellent 53 with the side sitting on 78-1 off 19 overs.

Friend was next to go caught and bowled in the 23rd over for a solid 30. DMPS Saints were cruising to victory at this point on 93-2, with only 43 more runs needed off a further 27 overs. However, as can be the case in such a one-sided game, a lack of individual responsibility and perhaps thinking the game was already finished, meant that three of the middle order batsmen inexcusably threw their wickets away in a three over spell leaving the home side on 115-5.

Smith joined Heron at the wicket and it was decided between them that no risks would be taken, as taking plenty of singles and waiting for the bad ball would be the order of the day. This commonsense approach produced the desired results as Saints got the required runs for the win in just seven further overs, leaving Heron 15 not out and Smith 12 not out.

DMPS Saints picked up their second straight 25 points for victory in as many weeks, but some hard work at training still needs to happen to see the improvement required in several areas of the game, for Saints to mount a title challenge this year.

The Tenant House Stores, Ecclefechan Man of the Matchaward went to Chris Brockwell for the second consecutive week for a great half century and an economical yet penetrative bowling spell.

Scores: Langloan 135-8 (Hamilton 30, Stevenson 22 ; M Smith 3-23, Farrukh 3-43, C Brockwell 2-33) : DMPS St. Michael’s CC 136-5 (C Brockwell 53, M Friend 30)

11/05/10

DMPS Saints beat Cambusdoon in Nail-biting Finish

Last Saturday saw DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club win an enthralling game at Cambusdoon gaining a much needed 25 points.

Skipper Heron lost the toss (again) and Saints were asked to bat on a green but firm Ayr wicket. Openers Brockwell and Friend got the side off to a great start, Brockwell driving well and Friend continually punishing the short ball. Having been set a partnership target of 75 runs minimum before the innings started, both players got into an excellent rhythm of boundaries and quick singles taking the opening stance to 93 before Friend was caught behind chasing a wide one.

Brockwell was next to go in the very next over for an impressive 38, adjudged quite correctly lbw. The largest partnership of the Saints innings then took place between Muir and Kishore, Muir punishing the bad ball and Kishore playing a really responsible supporting role. When Muir was eventually out for a superb 87 it was probably fatigue caused by the lightning running of his partner that contributed to his downfall more than the bowling.
Kishore’s mature knock eventually ended for 44 when he ran himself out unselfishly going for additional runs for his team at the end of the innings. Smith smashed a quickfire 11 before being caught in the deep. Marscheider and Fallas were both not out as the innings finished on 260 off the allocated 50 overs.

260 was a good total but Cambusdoon have proven many a time that they have the players who can take a game away from you quickly, so Saints knew they would have to perform well in the field to secure the win.

Cambusdoon opened with skipper Mitchell and impressive youngster Stewart. The pair rattled up a quick 72 in 17 overs before Marscheider had the senior partner caught behind by Muir for 25. Allrounder Brockwell then came on to bowl what was the first of two impressive spells. He had Boreland lbw for 28 and should have had the dangerous McCrossin out first ball either bowled or stumped.

McCrossin attacked from the start and hit the ball extremely hard as Saints tried to stem the runs and frustrate by bowling spin at both ends. When Brockwell changed ends it paid dividends straight away as he bowled McCrossin for 46 just as the game was running away from DMPS Saints.

With the score on 186-3 off 38 overs both teams were in with a chance of the victory and it made for an exciting match. Too many times – due to the draw ruling in WDCU league cricket – teams chasing a large total will play for the draw and block out the overs, but not this time.

When Smith was brought back for his second spell he produced the kind of bowling he is more than capable of. In a single over he dismantled two Cambusdoon players’ stumps, which, together with a run-out by Muir left the home side on 211-6 in the 43rd over. Brockwell took his third and final wicket bowling Spears as skipper Heron tried to balance the side between going for the win and protecting what they already had.

Going into the last over three results were possible. Cambusdoon needed 8 runs to win, Saints needed 3 wickets to win and a draw was still a possibility.

Youngster Stewart was eventually run out on the second ball of the last over by DMPS Saint’s best fielder on the day Friend for a truly impressive 104. Although he offered several chances during his innings, for one so young he showed true temperament, courage and skill in building a great knock. Everyone at Ayr – especially the youth coaches – must be extremely proud of this young man, and the future at Cambusdoon certainly looks bright.

Smith then bowled Gordon with an express toecrusher, and with only 3 balls to go, DMPS Saints needed 1 wicket and Cambusdoon needed 7 runs to win. In the most exciting finish for several seasons Friend came up with the goods for the second time in the same over, and his direct hit just got Saints over the line in this exciting encounter.

It is to Cambusdoon stalwart McCrossin’s credit that he gave both run-outs in the last over when in similar circumstances lesser men would have turned a blind eye.

There were many excellent performances in the Saints side, namely Friend, Muir and Kishore batting and Smith’s destructive last spell. However, the George Adamson & Sons Man of the Matchaward went to Chris Brockwell for an opener’s knock and two fantastic spells that continually worried the home side.

Scores: DMPS St Michael’s CC 260-6 (D Muir 87, A Kishore 44, C Brockwell 38, M Friend 36) : Cambusdoon 256 all out (S Stewart 104, C McCrossin 46 ; C Brockwell 3-48, M Smith 3-81.

05/05/10

Saints get Season off to Worst possible Start

DMPS St. Michael’s Cricket Club hosted Glasgow University Staff last Saturday in the first fixture of the 2010 cricket season. Kingholm Park was looking extremely well but the toss was going to be extremely important to win at this early stage of the season, and when skipper Heron lost the toss and was invited to bat, it set the tone for what was to come.

Openers Brockwell and Friend looked really comfortable and raced the scoring onto 35 in the seventh over when Friend was trapped lbw for 21 and in the very next over Brockwell was the most unfortunate player of the day when a half tracker rolled along the deck and bowled the shocked batsman for ten.

DMPS Saints middle order then started to fall like the proverbial house of cards losing a further four wickets for just 38 runs in 16 overs. On a couple of occasions dismissals were due to what can be described as (hopefully) some of the ugliest and worst shots seen at the Kingholm for many a year. Farrukh, who was looking extremely good and dominating the bowling was unfortunately taken with a tremendous catch in extra cover on 16 where it was debatable if the fielder or batsman looked more surprised.

This brought together Heron and Kishore at 72 for 6 with the side in serious doubt of posting a competitive total. While Heron scratched about as is his norm, Kishore played with some flair, and sometimes luck, and the first serious partnership was built. When Kishore was caught in the deep off one of the best timed shots of the day, contributing an extremely valuable 30, the score had moved on to 131.

The next three wickets fell for only 27 runs leaving Saints high and dry on 159 all out in the 46th over. Overall, getting to 159 was commendable after the start the side had, but it was disappointing that several batsman did not look to protect their wicket in difficult conditions and not to bat the full allocated 50 overs was naive and would inevitably come back to haunt the side.

Overseas player Mark Smith opened the bowling with last season’s player of the year Marscheider and it became evident straight away that the pitch was not going to help either’s medium-quick bowling.

The first breakthrough came in the eighth over when Marscheider bowled Bell with the perfect inswinging yorker. Kharwar came in and decided the best form of defence was attack and put Smith over midwicket for six before he was comically run out with the score on 33 two overs later.

Wickets continued to fall on a regular basis, with Pagan picking up two in a tidy spell of seven overs, Brockwell having Ahmed sharply stumped by Farrukh, and Smith taking his first wicket in Scottish cricket with an early contender for “catch of the season” off his own bowling. This left GU Staff on 85-6 off 33 overs and the game in the balance. Unfortunately for Saints, Shinde came in and did something that no Saints batsman could do before him; he occupied the crease and scored steady runs.

When Friend finally broke the partnership, taking Shinde for an excellent 48, it was too little too late as GU Staff only needed 9 more runs to win with 3 wickets in hand. When Smith collected his second wicket aided by a fantastic catch behind the stumps by Farrukh in the very next over, there was a glimmer of hope, but that’s all it turned out to be.

GU Staff knocked off the winning runs in the 47th over to give them all 25 points and DMPS Saints a disappointing 7. GU Staff deserved this victory as much as Saints deserved defeat. Saints batted poorly and bowled a disappointing 38 extras.

Next week against Cambusdoon, a better performance will be required to get the first win of the 2010 season. Anderson Kilts Man of the Matchwent to Farrukh for an outstanding all round performance.

Scores: DMPS St. Michael’s – 159 all out (Kishore 30, Heron 29, Friend 21) : GU Staff 162-8 (Shinde 48, Clark 25 ; Pagan 2 - 19, Smith 2 - 27)

30/04/10

St Michael's Cricket Club Website by Colin Taylor

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