Match Report

vs Stenhousemuir (2010-05-08)

Dunfermline 141 All out - Stenhousemuir 144 for 8


A day of controversy as Dunfermline played host to Stenhousemuir 2nds for the first time in a few years.  These games have a reputation for firing up a bit Like the Pars V Falkirk rivalry – and today was to prove no different.  Some dodgy umpiring was the talk of the day – from both sides.  Although we won’t focus too much on the Dunfermline side as that was in Stenhousemuir's favour – more off on the Stenhousemuir side. 

 

Anyway lets not focus on this let’s focus on the cricket like we should have done on the day. 

 

Skipper Cox won the toss and elected to bat – much like the game the previous week.  However this week we were playing on a surface that actually resembled a wicket.  We got started ahead of time.  Last weeks openers went out to start hopefully the same as the previous week.  The scoreboard started ticking over immediately as the Stenny opening bowler was trying to hit the score box with each ball – so a number of wides got us on our way.

 

Then the first piece of controversy of the day (I may be a bit biased in this) – Miller played a glance onto his pads and was surprised to hear an almighty appeal from the bowler Anees – wow that’s a crazy appeal thought Miller not even looking up – then there was a big cheer and the umpire had his finger up.  So Miller looking at the middle of his bat took the umpires decision in his stride and walked back to the pavilion for 3.  (I don’t want to name who the umpire was – however his name rhymes with Jamie.)  (Jamie all is forgiven its ok – this is the last mention)

 

This brought 3rd team superstar Alan Leitch to the crease.  He survived an enormous appeal first up – but not out (Trigger Penmans finger stuck in his pocket).  But unfortunately Alan didn’t trouble the Scribbler Nisbet before being caught by Halcrow of the bowling of Anees.  Next to the crease was Doc Service.  Neil put on a nice recovery partnership playing some swashbuckling strokes along side Jordan – before Jordan was caught behind of Anees for 20 runs.  Another very promising looking innings unfortunately brought to a premature end but a very faint edge that only the bowler wicket keeper and umpire Cox could hear.  A good decision though.

 

Brent – I can only play 40 over games – Walker came out next for a rare appearance in a 50 overs aside match.  And he got straight into his old ways – with Doc Service and Brent tapping the bowling attack around the park.  All was going so well until Leg spinner Haleem was brought into the attack.  Haleem was causing the batters no end of bother and just before drinks deceived Brent and bowled him for a fine 44.  Young Ben Wilkinson – fresh from his fine 15 not out the week before came out to bat. 

 

Unfortunately drinks was to account for a second wicket as Neil Service's fine articulate innings came to an end when he was clean bowled by Alan Reid.  Fine knock of 42.

 

Ok now what could the tail do for us – would it wag???? Would it collapse???? Well with Ben holding his own at one end – unfortunately the tail didn’t last long. 

  • Richard Cox – Clean bowled Reed for 3
  • Vince ‘my knees are passed there best’ Shipley then walked past a ball from Haleem and didn’t make an effort to get back in his crease due to his agonizing leg joint – so he departed proceedings stumped for ‘0’
  • Jamie ‘Trigger’ Penman – Ct Halcrow of Saleem for 1.
  • Douglas ‘Tenerife’ Petrie – Ct Reed Bowled Haleem ‘0’
  • Keith ‘Ill bat like a number 11’ Graveling – Bowled Reed ‘0’

So unfortunately the tail didn’t wag and young Ben Wilkinson was left scratching his head in disbelief at how coming in at 6 he didn’t get to bat very long despite ending up 3 not out.  Look on the bright side Ben – you don’t have an average yet as you haven’t been out)

 

Well a wonderful early tea was had.  The home side reflected on whether 141 on a road of a batting track was enough – and came to the conclusion if we bowl well enough then it is.

 

So time to get to the bowling……I can’t remember too much of the ins and outs but ill jot down what comes to mind.

 

Jordan and Keith opened the bowling.  There was an early run out – although im struggling to think who by – so if you know send an answer on a postcard.

Keith bowled his usual tight line and length – and got the number 3 batsman Jones caught behind by Penman for 8.  Keith bowled his spell right through – and unfortunately in his last over pulled one of his 70year old muscles.  Keith’s figures were a miserly 10 overs 4 maidens 1 for 12.  Keith hobbled around in the field for a bit before young Andrew Penman put him out his misery.

 

Jordan bowled reasonably well – 6overs for 21.

 

Brent in his first spell of the year tied down the batsmen again – only going for 19 in his 7 overs.

 

Vincento came into the attack and got the prized scalp of Qumar – ct Service for 18 – and ended with 1 for 19 of his overs.

 

Skipper Cox bowling a mixture of things got 2 wickets for the most expensive of the day 29 runs.

 

Neil Service almost revived our hopes of winning with a great spell from the ‘Gibson Digger’ end as he picked up 3 wickets for 26 of 7.4 overs.

 

Ben Wilkinson bowled a fine couple of overs for ten runs in difficult circumstances.

 

Unfortunately Stenny knocked off the runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the 43rd over.

 

Highlights to mention in the field:-

  • Richard Juniors Lbw against opener Williamson – a massive appeal – and as soon as the appeal was over young Douglas P shouted “COME ON” and the umpires finger magically went up.  The umpire was soon replaced.
  • Don’t think there were any dropped catches – correct me if im wrong.
  • Alan Leitch hitting the stumps every single throw he had – or so it seemed
  • Oh how can I almost forget – the run out attempt – with Haleem attempting a Kamikaze style run Douglas Petrie brilliantly picked up the ball at square leg before throwing at the stumps.  From my view at square leg Vince’s view at Cover Leitch's view at Point Cox’s view at Mid’on Wilkinson’s view at Mid off and the umpires view at Square leg the ball hit off Jamie Penman’s gloves and onto the stumps with the batsman grasping for feet to make it home.  The square leg umpire gave the batsman out.  However with the batsman walking off humbly the other umpire overruled and called him back claiming that Jamie somehow broke the stumps before the ball hit.  Think this was the only angle this could be seen from.  Hot words were exchanged – and players were fired up.  Haleem was thankfully bowled next over but not after adding a few more runs.  Alan Reid and Tom Jamieson saw Stenny home.

 

 

All in all the game finished on a sour note – but on the day Stenhousemuir were the better team who played the better cricket.  Not one batsman shone – but the all dug together – had our tail been capable of putting at least 20 together (starting from 7) we would have been in with a great shout – but 4 runs from the last 5 batsman is where this game was lost.

 

Graceful in defeat we were – we calmed down and all was almost forgotten.  The decisions are just part of the game – no harm intended to anyone in my comments above – this is seen as a light hearted view of how I saw it.  But not to mention it would have been like missing out that goal that never was in the 1966 World Cup Final.

 

Onwards and upwards – let’s hope the guys can lift their heads up for the upcoming games…..

Some match Stats

Dunfermline

Best Partnership – 4th Wicket - N Service/B Walker 92

Most Boundaries – N Service 6x4

Best Strike Rate – N Service 42 off 50 balls

Most Balls Faced – B Walker 62

Most Wides Bowled – J Davidson 4

Most No Balls – None

Number of Ducks - 4

 

Stenhousemuir

Best Partnership – 3rd Wicket – Williamson/Qumar 43

Most Boundaries – Various on 3x4

Most Balls Faced – Williamson 99

 

Report Submitted by David Miller

 

If any one has any comments to add please let me know – as I have probably missed some highlights.