Preston Village Cricket Club 1st XI v Boroughmuir on Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 1pm
Preston Village Cricket Club Lost 72 runs
Preston Village’s season started with a pre-season friendly against Division 2 Boroughmuir at Polwarth. The “peoples” plans for a full warm up for their proposed 1st team were upset by availability and injury issues but a fairly strong XI turned out for what as a result of the weather on Friday became the first ever match on the clubs new artificial track. The concept of a warm up match also seemed inappropriate given the freezing conditions which saw an interesting array of clothing as players struggled to retain some degree of heat. For young Too Far his introduction to the joys of cricket in Scotland was a cold and frustrating affair and it’s suspected that he’d never seen so many sweaters and fleeces in one team.
The visitors chose to bat first, and initially the Village bowling attack made steady inroads into their order but significantly failed to remove the belligerent Binnie, who was to top score with a well crafted 55. However at 57 for 5 the hosts had hopes of keeping the visitors below 120. However Gilbert provided a perfect foil for Binne and the two of them put on a match winning stand of 73 before they departed in quick succession. Boroughmuir then chased some late runs which saw some interesting moments, or perhaps the batsmen simply saw running often as a means of keeping warm. In any event the final total of 150 was more than had been banked on the the halfway point. Best of the bowlers were McMillan and Barrie with 3 for 21 and 4 for 39 respectively.
After a welcome tea in the relative heat of the pavilion the “People” reply hardly got going at all. In truth it was a traditional PVCC batting collapse, as the line up shorn of Captain Russell who injured his hand fielding, dropping a catch. In fairness it was a difficult chance but a drop is a drop, but crashing out for 78 was not in the game plan thats for sure.
Most of the batsmen got themselves in but only Nick with 23 made any significant contribution the other generally getting themselves out with an array of ill timed or plain stupid shots. The only saving grace was that no one was run out although Guz tested Patte’s hamstrings with an amazing single in their stubborn 7th wicket stand. The call for video evidence was ignored as the camera man had long since beggared off to get warm, or perhaps he had fallen victim to a passing polar bear, we’ll find out on Tuesday if he turns up for nets.
Young Fardoon batted with one pad, it increases his mobility apparently but unfortunately his movements were negatively affected by his having to wear 4 layers of clothes to keep warm.
After the match the teams retired gratefully to the Gothenburg who again are the main sponsors for the People, to plan their respective league campaigns which start next week. The 1st travel to Royal High/ Corstorphine for their first ever league game in Division 3, whilst the 2nds entertain Peebles at Polwarth.
Comments of the day
“Is it always this cold?” – Too Far asked earnestly in the 2nd over
“What/s that white thing in the distance? – older Patterson tries to focus on a figure on the long boundary.
“Its either Patte, a snowman or a Polar Bear” – Guz puts the weather into context
“Hit his pads and appeal – I’m bloody freezing after umpiring for 20 overs” – Davie King turns the laws of cricket on their head to give the benefit of the doubt to the bowler
“Want to bowl at both ends?” – Umpire Patterson negotiates with the bowler having taken 3 sweaters and tracksuit top from him and redressed himself, now with to 8 layers.
Boroughmuir Batting
150 for 9
Preston Village Cricket Club 1st XI Bowling
Preston Village Cricket Club 1st XI Batting
78 for 9
Boroughmuir Bowling