Last Sunday a team of St Michael's veterans played the club’s junior side in a thirty over a side match at the Kingholm. It is hoped that this will become an annual fixture if the old stagers will have recovered by this time next year. The ball for the match was kindly donated by Eric Muirhead who was captain of the club when Chairman Sandy McNay played his first match for St Michael's in 1973.

Both teams lined up for a photo before the game

On taking first lease of the pitch, the Veterans opening partnership of Phil Lord and Miles Fuller looked as if they had never been away from the game with a healthy first wicket partnership of 35. Fuller was first to go to the bowling of Connor Bowie, well caught by Lee Johnstone for 10. Lord then had another fruitful partnership with Andy Wilson putting on 20 runs before both fell in quick succession, Lord being bowled by Lee Johnstone for 23 and Wilson bowled by ben Johnston for 11.

There then followed a mini collapse with Billy Robison, Kenny Wilson, Murray Cairnie, Alan Henderson and Willie Woodhouse all departing quickly but Mark Fuller held the innings together with a fine innings of 25 retired. The last wicket partnership between Colin Taylor and Sandy McNay brought the score up to 110 for 9 in 30 overs.

For the juniors six wickets were shared between Ben Johnston, Lee Johnstone and Ross Crawford, Connor Bowie taking one The other was an excellent direct hit of the stumps by John Woodhouse. Young Harshit Morisetty and Dylan Muir also bowled well. The juniors fielding was enthusiastic with Andrew Geddes keeping wicket with aplomb.

The Juniors started confidently, Ross Crawford and Connor Bowie both playing the Veterans’ opening attack of Kenny Wilson and Colin Taylor with ease. It was a surprise when they both fell in quick succession to Wilson who started to show what a miss he is to the 2nd XI this season with an excellent opening five over burst of 2-9.

Taylor bowled a tidy line picking up the wicket of Ben Johnston. The juniors best partnership of the match then ensued with coach Chris Brockwelll and Dylan Muir batting circumspectly against some tight Veterans bowling from Billy Robison and Miles Fuller but hitting the bad ball with power. Brockwelll retired on 28 and Muir showed good shot selection for his 26 retired.

The match built up to an exciting conclusion when Andrew Geddes scored a composed 10 and Jamie Crawford hit a couple of good shots. John Woodhouse and Harshit Morisetty made vital late contributions to ensure the match ended on a tie which on reflection seemed a fair result on an excellent afternoon’s cricket.

Thanks go to all the participants and also to Duncan Muir for his work behind the scene organising a first class tea and to Derek Heron and Davie Armstrong for umpiring.

Scores:

Veterans 110 for 9 (M.L. Fuller 25 retired, Lord 23, Wilson 11, J.M. Fuller 10 ; Woodhouse 6 overs 0-21, Bowie 5 overs 1-6, Johnstone 4 overs 2-11, Johnston 5 overs 2-14, Crawford 2 overs 2-10, Muir 3 overs 0-11, Morisetty 3 overs 0-9)

Juniors 110 all out (Brockwelll 28 retired, Muir 26 retired, Geddes 10 ; Wilson 5 0vers 2-9, Taylor 5 overs 1-17, J.M.Fuller 4 overs 0-20, Robison 4 overs 1-9, Cairnie 5 overs 0-15, Lord 5 overs 0-14, M.L.Fuller 2 overs 2-7)

28/06/11