1stXI beat Merchiston by 79 runs

Cargilfield 169-9 (25 overs) (Hutchinson 39, Bremner 29, Armstrong 27no)

Merchiston 90 all out (Hutchinson 2-2-0-2)

After weekly indoor net sessions since the end of August for nearly 30 children, the first game of the new cricket season could not come quick enough and we were blessed with sunshine on Saturday morning as we welcomed Merchiston, always one of our toughest games on the circuit. Despite the confidence of having worked hard on our skills over the winter months, there were a few nerves as we got outside at last and decided to bat first after winning the toss. The key messages were to get forward and on the front foot, be patient and run well between the wickets to keep the scoreboard ticking over; there will be bad balls, but being selective and waiting for the bad ball is still so important even in this age of T20 ‘Bazball’ cricket!

Ewan and Conrad opened and they both batted well together, putting on 20 runs in 3 overs, running well between the wickets and they look comfortable in the face of some excellent bowling from Merchiston; Conrad struck a lovely boundary through mid on and then played across a straight one rather than refocusing and playing each ball on its merit – lesson learned! Ewan and Felix were both run out which was unfortunate, but again, good for this to happen early in the season……judging a single, knowing which fielders have a good throw and making sure you back up and call early are things that will improve as the season progresses.

So at 41-3, this brought Xander and Charles together and they put on 71 in 7 overs which really got the innings going. Both were quick to punish anything short and wide and they also ran well together and the Merchiston bowlers had no answer to their shot making which was very sensible but when the opportunity was there, the ball was hit hard to the boundary. Charles was out to a very sharp low catch in the covers for 29, and Xander scored an excellent 39 before being caught at deep mid wicket, but 123-5 in the 17^th over, we were well placed to get a good total in the remaining 8 overs. Isabella was making her debut today – the first girl in my time at Cargilfield to play for the 1stXI – and she proceeded to dominate the final overs of the innings, playing with a nice straight bat, getting right forward and driving the ball well through the off side; she scored an excellent unbeaten 27 as the innings closed on 169 for 9 at the end of our 25 overs. A very good effort first up and definitely a total that Merchiston would find difficult to chase considering the strength of our bowling attack.

The match was probably decided in the first over as Xander took two key wickets, dismissing one with a full inswinging yorker and the other well caught by Sylvan at mid off; 1 for 2 off the first over and the game was almost done and dusted. Their other good batsman scored an excellent 46 before falling LBW to Rafa, but we managed to get everyone on to bowl and 7 of the Merchiston batsmen were either bowled or LBW, so all the work we have done on bowling straight paid off! There was a terrific run out by Conrad and our ground fielding was excellent too, with Xander and Charles working well together to make sure the field was well set and everyone was concentrating. The final wicket fell in the 19^th over with Merchiston still 79 runs short.

A really promising and impressive first game of the season and I was delighted with the way that everyone contributed and it was a real team effort. To put in such a strong performance so early in the season bodes well for the challenges ahead, and it is just a shame that the tri series with Sedbergh and Merchiston fell foul to rain down in Cumbria on Sunday. However, lots to be encouraged by so very well played indeed!

DSW