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MELROSE CC vs EDINBURGH UNI STAFF

Melrose looked to start the season in winning ways, after the disappointment of a first game washout. Having won the toss and electing to bowl, Melrose started strong with Josh Loftus picking up a wicket in his first over and Thomas Brown (making his triumphant return from a sabbatical last season) also claiming an early wicket. Edin Uni staff recovered from the early wickets and began to build a steady partnership that took them to the drinks break past the 50 mark. It was a quiet passage of play for Melrose with some good batting thwarting Rowan Williams and Duncan Howard’s best efforts at breaking the partnership. Rowan Williams eventually broke the partnership just after the drinks break. He then brought Thomas Brown back into the attack. This proved to be an inspired bit of captaincy with the big fella claiming two wickets in 3 overs. Meanwhile from the other end Josh Loftus also picked up another 2 well deserved wickets. Michael Rogerson and Connor Young were then brought into the attack. Rogerson picked up his first wicket of the season while Young was unfortunately denied his first wicket for Melrose thanks to Euan “safe hands“ Lindsay dropping a catch. Some sharp fielding by a no doubt, very hungry Will Owen wrapped up the Edin Uni staff innings for 103 all out.

Melrose did not start well however with Mr Owen being dismissed for 4. Thanks to some good bowling two more quick wickets fell leaving Melrose 7-3. A quick fire 15 by Connor Young was enough to help Melrose struggle to 32-4, but when he was dismissed Josh Loftus and Thomas Brown were left with a job on their hands. Brown dug in and ground out a patient 12 while Loftus played brilliantly for his 43, including two sixes and numerous 4s. After a near 50 run partnership Edin uni staff picked up the wicket of Brown. Unfortunately the wicket of Loftus also fell soon after however a very well played 14 not out by Michael Rogerson and Rowan Williams holding up the other end was enough for Melrose to pick up a 2 wicket victory.

Melrose C.C. entered the final game of the season already crowned Champions but still looking to finish the season off in style.

Our captain lost the toss and Melrose were put into bat. Fergus Godfrey-Faussett, who had too many flutes of champagne the night before, looked dismayed as Loftus told him he was opening with Will Owen. Owen was the first victim of a wicket which had variable bounce. This brought Hosny to the crease with the match only 5 balls old. He and Godfrey-Faussett saw off the opening bowlers without any further problems. Scoring was difficult with the Carlton bowlers bowling a good line and length and with an outfield that resembled golf course rough than a cricket outfield. Nonetheless, Hosny and Godfrey-Faussett began grinding down the bowlers and punishing any loose deliveries. The champagne and only 2 hours sleep clearly got to Godfrey-Faussett as he was caught at point playing a loose shot. This brought in Williams, who also struggled with the pitch but soon found his rhythm. He and Hosny calmly guided Melrose to drinks with the score at 50-2. Williams soon perished to a ball that just clipped the top of his off stump. MIlne came to the middle with the intention of hitting boundaries but even with a few meaty blows, boundaries were a rarity. Milne fell on his sword by playing a shot too many. Loftus sauntered into the middle looking to make the most of the final 10 overs. Which he manged to do with some glorious shots into the off side. He fell with 5 overs overs to go, sacrificing his wicket for the good of the team like a true captain. Next in was Brown, who played some wonderful straight shots, brought Melrose’s total to a competitive 145. Hosny finally brought up his first 50 up in the 37th over despite being in since the first over. With England’s problem at 3 and this gritty, determined innings, surely a call-up would be around the corner.

Melrose opened the bowling with Loftus and Brown. There’s no finer sight in cricket than a wild eyed Brown charging in and staring down the batsmen even if a few balls did end up heading towards first slip instead of the stumps. Loftus also bowled a hostile spell with balls that had more spit and venom than a King Cobra. Both bowlers bowled with hostility and accuracy to dismantle Carlton’s top order. However, it wasn’t all smiles as Hosny and Loftus both tried to ruin each others good looks in an incident that belonged in an episode of the Chuckle Brothers. Hosny, diving to his left, accidentally diverted the ball into the face of Loftus, who falling backwards, kicked Hosny in the face. Loftus can expect a knock on the door from Calum Wilson regarding his court date. The stage was now set for King and Hosny to battle it out for top wicket taker for the season with King have a two wicket head start. Hosny started well by taking 2 early wickets to level the scores. He then dropped a catch off his own bowling to give King a reprieve. He couldn’t take advantage as Hosny then claimed two more wickets. He was on course for a 5-fer only for Owen to drop a dolly. Wilson claimed the final wicket as Melrose bowled Carlton out for 46.

This brought down the curtain on another successful season where Melrose were head and shoulders above everyone else. A massive thank you to everyone who played their part in a league winning campaign.

Melrose CC claimed another victory on the weekend, beating Largo 2, to end the season with a 100% home record.

Melrose started strongly with Sharief Hosny getting the whites dirty with a diving catch off his own bowling. Some complaints where then heard about the pitch, a bit harsh considering the recent weather. Another wicket quickly fell with Duncan Howard running out the other opener (must have been the pitch slowing the batsman down!) Largo 2 then began to build a steady partnership however Duncan Howard managed to break it – with a trademark half tracker. Darren King and Calum Wilson were then introduced into the attack with King bowling particularly well claiming a wicket and only going for 6 runs in his eight overs. Resident posho Fergus Godfrey-Fausset then claimed a run out reducing Largo to 5 wickets down. Rowan Williams and Dudley Milne were then introduced into the attack and managed to clean up the remaining 3 wickets (Largo 2 only had 9 players) with Williams claiming 2 and Milne 1.

After a splendid tea despite Howard’s inability to deliver cookies to the usual standard, play was resumed. Groundsman Will Owen was obviously keen to prove a point that the pitch was fine – blasting a quick fire 38. Fergus managed a solid 18 before being caught and bowled. Rowan Williams then came to the crease but only managed to continue the rich tradition of the day of being run out. Barry Scott was next in drilling a full toss for four and then comfortably seeing the game through. Melrose won by 8 wickets and for the first time this year Will Owen didn’t throw his wicket away!