A last minute cancellation on a perfect sunny day meant a team of 10 headed to Craiglockhart to face Watsonian 3s, in what could have been a difficult second match of the season. Melrose fielded a strong team, nonetheless, and set their stall early bowling against a mixture of youth players and experienced old-guards. Hosney opened the wicket fall, taking out Watsonian captain Counsell, but they fought hard for runs, making two 40-run stands for the next two wickets.
With some excellent fielding from Melrose, and our bowlers, particularly Wilson and Loftus, grinding away for any chances, the wickets began to fall, with 3 for Wilson including an excellent caught & bowled, 2 for Hosney and King each, and captain Loftus and new boy Williams sharing one each. Watsonian ran out of chances with their score on a very achievable 126 all out.
After a hike to the pavilion for tea, Melrose opened their innings against what seemed like a sub-continental spin attack on a sub-continental wicket cracking from the lack of rain. Owen and Hosney fell cheaply, but former captain Scott knurdled his way to the 20s, joined by Williams who looked every inch the old pro. After losing Scott and then King, the Melrose spectators were treated to a lovely knock of 39 from Brown, beating his previous best score by an absurd margin. The match was wrapped up with nearly 13 overs to spare, leaving Melrose joint top of Division 5.
Full scorecard available at http://www.cricketstats.org.uk/esca/2017/6/1006.html
Melrose Cricket Club 