September Scuttle to Safety: Breadies 2s
Strathmore & Perthshire 2nd Division
Breadalbane vs Perth Northern
Doo’cot Park 1 September
On a rare sunny day the Breadies two’s faced league leaders Perth Northern on a characteristically manicured Doo’cot Park strip. Breadalbane appeared to be making the best of the conditions racing to a quickfire 30 from just 5 overs.
This was to be the only cheer that the Highland Perthshire men would garner this day. From a position of dominance Breadalbane squandered a magnificent start to be all out for 111, a total known in cricketing circles as ‘Nelson’, and, like the French fleet, the Breadies had met their Trafalgar and had sunk without trace. The 25 extras totalled more than any Breadie batsman. |
|
|
Perth Northern made short work of the measly total and wrapped the game up within 20 overs. Northern look like worthy 2nd Division Champions. Breadalbane still needs a result to avoid the unthinkable - a drop to the 3rd division.
Strathmore & Perthshire 2nd Division
Breadalbane Vs Brechin
Spittalfeild 2 September
Brechin had been put into bat and amassed a formidable 243, thanks largely to their skipper Steve Barker who hit a majestic 137 and the collective butter fingers of the Breadalbane fielders.
On five occasions the centurion lobbed the ball in the air to a ’Feldy fielder only to watch it slip to the ground. It seemed as though the wheels were coming off the Breadalbane season just as the finishing post was looming.
Determined not to be on the end of another rout the Breadie openers strode purposely to the crease to commence the chase. Douthwaite and Laurence Bax smashed the bowling all over the ground scoring in excess of 6 an over. When Bax was caught for 27 Langhorn continued to prescribe the medicine. The score rattled along to 141 when Langhorn was caught for a fine 40. Bowler joined Douthwaite and they continued to score freely. The pressure of chasing the mammoth target finally began to show as wicket after wicket soon began to fall. Enough was enough and the skipper ordered “put up the shutters, pull up the draw bridge”.
A drawn game would be enough for Breadalbane to retain their position in the division, a loss would take the season right down to the wire with all to play for in the final game of the season. The Breadies finished on a creditable 200 for 9. Douthwaite top scoring with a useful 59 and the season was saved.
Strathmore & Perthshire 2nd Division
Breadalbane vs Montrose
Montrose 8 September
An almost carnival atmosphere surrounded Union Park in Montrose as both teams faced each with little at stake apart from enjoying a day out on a rare sunny day of a soggy summer.
It was that man Douthwaite again who top scored, striking 54 of the Breadalbane total of 135. Montrose stuttered along but finally passed the Breadalbane total in the 32nd over with 5 wickets down. The spin of veterans Bowler and Stone accounted for two wickets apiece.
Like their senior colleagues before them, and after a few dicey moments, it was mission accomplished for the Breadalbane two’s as second division status was assured for another year.
by Tailender
|
