Fochabers Cricket Club

Second XI Update

by CS

The 2nd XI season is now well underway and with some success.

It all started at Nairn in a league match against Fort William, a real powerhouse in the reserve scene over the last few years. Fochabers bowling and fielding was spiirted and focused, with pressure put on the batsmen from the off. It resulted in Fort William struggling to 84 at the end of their 40 overs. The reigning league champions relief was obvious when Fochabers reply was thwarted by the weather at 54 for 4. Addie Mehta starred with the ball ably supported by big Bill Leiper and Neil Dickson.

The next encounter was against local rivals Buckie at Victoria Park. Again fielding first Fochabers could not dismiss Buckie's Eadie Walls and he batted throughout their innings for a creditable and virtually chanceless half century out of a total of 108. The Fochabers batting got off to a poor start and despite some middle and late order resistance could not find the necessary resolve to match Walls' display.

The first home league fixture saw Fochabers take on Northern Counties. Skipper Gavin Griffin won the toss and elected to bat which was starting to look the wrong decision when the home side found themselves 18 for 4. Enter Steve Valentine who in cavalier style took on the NC attack and with able support from the middle order pushed the score on to the 150 mark. Fochabers again displayed excellent spirit and enterprise in the field, Dickson hitting line and length with monotonous regularity (from the NC point of view) and John Carney taking the honours with a 5 wicket haul. Fochabers dismissing the oposition for around 80 runs and recording a handy league victory.

The first week of June saw Fochabers once again facing Northern Counties at Fochabers, but this time in the 30 over a side Cup. Batting first the openers showed signs of form and set a solid base for those who followed. Colin Sanders hit a useful 28, whilst Gordon Sharp and Neil Dickson both made confident and flowing contributions. The man in form though is undoubtedly Steve Valentine who made a rapid 36 not out (having to retire at 35 under the rules of the competition). Addie Mehta and Sam Valentine continued the momentum in the closing over to post a very useful team score of 169. NC were boosted by some 1st XI players who could have been a threat but Addie Mehta bowled well to restrict their openers and Neil Dickson once again removed their main threat (Hamish Christie) and went on to take 3 wickets in his 5 overs. Bill Leiper too claimed some useful wickets and whilst some of the Fochabers catching was not as sharp as it has been the fielding overall, guided by Skipper Gavin Griffin (and committee) pressurised incoming batsmen into mistakes. Gordon Sharp, Martin Steel, Sam Valentine and Struan Henderson all contributed with the ball and Northern Counties fell well short of the target at 109 for 9 after their allotted 30 overs.

Next week Ross County away in a league match, a win would keep Fochabers in contention, but it is always a high scoring affair at Strathpeffer and could go either way.

Item added: 02/06/2008

Second XI Update

by CS

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