Cricket: Narrow defeat for county at seaside

Jun 18 2009 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

WEST Lothian County Cricket Association’s First XI had a 70-mile trip last Saturday and narrowly lost out to Prestwick in the SNCL Second Division at the Henry Thow Oval.

Prestwick won the toss and batted first and they scored 268 for 9 in their 50 overs.

Top scorer for Prestwick was C Rodger who scored 109 from 126 balls in 158 minutes, including twelve fours and one six.

As the match progressed scoring became easier because the batsman were hitting the balls very cleanly and they were clearing the boundary rope for 28 fours and three big sixes.

Other double figure scorers for Prestwick were K Lawler 33, G Pitt 30, M Morrison 23, A Bonner 17 and D Carlyle 13.

County had four bowlers who took wickets, Andy Raven 4 for 30, Corne Van Wyk 3 for 49, Kruger Van Wyk 1 for 29 and Shoaib Asghar 1 for 44.

Veteran wicketkeeper David Fleming had two superb catches behind the stumps and there were also catches held by Corne Van Wyk, Kruger Van Wyk, Jimmy McOscar and David Drylie.

After tea County set about chasing the 269 runs required for victory.

After 12 overs County had reached 52 for 2 with Corne Van Wyk 18 and David Drylie 4 both back in the pavilion.

Jimmy McOscar was joined by Kruger Van Wyk and they took the score along to 84 before McOscar was bowled for 31. Another wicket fell at 99, before two partnerships of more than 60 were added.

Kruger Van Wyk and David Fleming added 67 before Fleming was out for 15. Grant Raven and Kruger added 62 before Kruger was out for 107 off 80 balls in 100 minutes including 12 fours. Grant Raven was out at 240 for 32 including three fours.

County added another 20 runs before they were all out for 260, just nine runs short of victory. Best bowler for Prestwick was M. Morrison with 3 for 34. Prestwick won the match by eight runs and collect eight points with County getting two bonus points for their better run rate.

This weekend is a big occasion for County First XI at Boghall with league business on Saturday afternoon and Scottish Cup First Round business on Sunday afternoon.

On Saturday afternoon County host Falkland First XI who are top of the SNCL Division Two table, with a 1pm start.

Match day sponsorship is being provided by the Conquistadors.

The next day, Sunday, County host West of Scotland, who are in second spot in the SNCL Premier Division, in the First Round of the 2009 Scottish Cup. This cup clash is scheduled to start at 1pm.

Meanwhile, County Second XI travel to Edinburgh to play Grange Third XI at Raeburn Place in the East League Division Three, again with a 1pm start.

And finally, County Third XI host Dunbar at Beeslack High School Playing Fields at Penicuik in the East League Division Seven Match, with a 1.30pm start.

On Sunday afternoon County Sunday XI travel to Prestonpans to play Preston Village Friendly XI in a 40-over per team friendly match at Polwarth Oval, with a 1.30pm start.

The County Under-13 Junior XI’s are also on their travels as they head up the M8 to Edinburgh to play SMRH Under-13 Junior XI at Inverleith in the East League First Division Under-13 League, this time with a 6pm start.

And on Thursday evening at Boghall, County Third XI host Westquarter in a 20/20 Friendly Match with a scheduled 6pm start.