Peebles County Cricket Club

ESCA Division 7, Match 3: Peebles CCC vs Stewart Melville 4, Saturday May 11th 2024.

Last Saturday Peebles County welcomed both the sunshine and Stewart’s Melville to Whitestone Park for their ESCA division seven match.

Looking for a first win, skipper Caddick lost the toss and county found themselves fielding in the sunshine. After a welcoming team talk the factor 50 was applied and the smart County blue caps proudly on display.  

Niall Burns (2-28) took the pink ball together with Grant Mather (3-26) with both getting good swing and seam movement. County kept the run rate down until drinks with SM 47-4. Nick Jenkins (0-28) teased the batsmen and the skipper (2-18) continued the good tight bowling. Kris Easter kept well especially collecting some severe leg side extras. Newcomer Mehul Prajapati (3-30) bowled well before Burnsy returned to finish Stewart’s Melville at 129 all out.

A good fielding display by Aarad Ajmal, Tom Wilson and Lawrence Dritsas together with catches from Mather and Caddick with Jenkins politely snaffling one from within the South Africans grasp! Some catches did go down but fortunately names not mentioned!

Tea followed in the sunshine and much cricket chat with some old friends.

Chris Richardson (15) with a determined display was the mainstay leading County after the early departure of leading run scorer Burns (0) and Mather (1). Together with Caddick (32) they put on a partnership of 61 placing county in a strong chasing position. Zeeshan Gohar (25*) played his best innings yet for County with Easter (25) smashing a champagne moment 6 helping to swing the game. This partnership of 44 then left Jenkins (5*) to see County over the line with just one over remaining.

Zee and Nick applauded off and player of the match going to Caddick for bowling, runs and a sharp catch. Credit to SM playing with juniors and a game played in a good sporting manner with County delighted with their first victory and recollections quickly being embellished!

County are sponsored by Harrison’s Ford and Beech Joinery. Senior training Wednesdays at 630 pm with juniors on Fridays at 430 pm.

As the sun set County prepared for Saturday’s trip to Preston Village as the Northern Lights display returned and Eurovision crept up!