Reports

Meadow moved a step closer to retaing the Sulwath Shield as they made heavy weather of beating a youthful Rico's side.

Dylan Muir opened the bowling for Meadow and soon had Rico's in trouble as he bowled his best spell of the season taking 3 for 10. Pete Harriman and Drew Dawson backed him up well, both taking wickets and at the half way point Rico's were in trouble on 24 for 6. However this brought Brockwell and Fallas to the crease, and as catches were dropped, Meadow seemed to take the foot off the pedal and as a result Rico's managed to reach 74 all out in the 18th over.

In reply, Meadow made heavy weather of thingslosing 4 wickets in the first 4 overs for a mere 13 runs, 3 of the wickets going to Bowie. Drew Dawson played the match winning innings with 30 not out, and it was left to Ali Bryden and Duncan Muir to see the side home with 8 overs to spare.

Rico's 74 all out. Irving Meadow 75 for 6. Irving Meadow own by 4 wickets.

After a two week break, for a free week and a weather induced postponement against Galloway Countrystyle it was back to league duties against the Healthpros who took their revenge for the cup defeat as Meadow failed to chase down a total for the first time this season. The match also saw the first introduction of the second generation of youth players, with 11 year-old Gavin Irving joining his father in the team.

Batting first, the Heathpros matched their score of three weeks prior, with Whalen again shining with the bat (27 retired), backed well by Strachan, McKinnell, Doig and Zaheer in a total of 115 for 6. Pick of the bowlers for the second time this season was Ali Bryden with 2 for 11.

In reply, Meadow struggled without any of the antipodean big guns and could only reach 65 for 6 in their 20 overs. Michael Gass top scored with 20 despite carrying an injury, and Alan Gass rolled back the years with a useful 14. All the bowlers for Healthpros bowled tidily, with Strachan the only one to take 2 wickets.

Healthpros 115 for 6. Irving Meadow 65 for 6. Irving Meadow lost by 50 runs.

Meadow marched through to the semi-finals of the Sulwath Shield with an impressive victory against a strong Healthpros side, chasing down 116 to win with 8 balls to spare.

Healthpros opened steadily with skipper Wharton particularly miserly, only conceding 6 runs in his 4 over spell, backed up well by Campbell. Change bowlers Friend and Irving conceded more runs, but Irving began to take wickets at regular intervals finishing with 4 for 16. Muir and Brown were expensive as Whalen and Shyam began to take risks, with the former looking to be a class act with his retiral for 28. The innings closed on 115 for 7 with McCkinnel (21), Shyam (19) and Hill (16) all making useful contributions.

In reply, Meadow were always up with the run rate, with Friend and Muir retiring on 28 and 25 respectively, and despite a couple of wickets in the middle order, it was left to Irving and Wharton to see the side home with unbeaten 21 and 14 respectively. Pick of the bowlers was Whalen with 2 for 18.

Healthpros 115 for 7. Irving Meadow 116 for 3. Irving Meadow won by 7 wickets.

Meadow returned to Nunholm for the second week on the trot and proved again that we are a chasing team as we failed to set a reasonable target batting first, and were soundly beaten by 8 wickets.

Bart led the way with the bat with another unbeaten innings of 25, but only Dylan Muir and Adam "Stretch" Armstrong gave any further support, with 12 and 13 respectively and a poor total of 77 all out was reached in the last over. Pick of the bowlers was Chris McBride with 4 for 15.

In reply the Coatbridge Coldstore Colts, to give them their full name, eased to 78 for 2 in kust over 15 overs, with Potts hitting a powerful 29 and Williams and McBride seeing the side to the finish with 21 and 17 not out respectively. Best bowling came from Gerry Campbell with 1 for 5 from 3 overs.

Irving Meadow 77 all out. CC Colts 78 for 2. Irving Meadow lost by 8 wickets.

In a high scoring match on the fast outfield of Nunholm, Meadow successfully chased down a target of 123 to continue the winning streak.

Annandale Insurance started out as they meant to go on and Meadow struggled to make any inroads in terms of wickets. Campbell managed 2 wickets and Friend 1, but the home side had R. McBride, Forsyth and Parkinson all retire, with Fergusson and Rafferty adding useful runs too as a total of 123 for 4 was reached.

In reply, Drew Dawson (and extras including 5 wides) got Meadow off to a flying start with 39 runs coming from the first 3 overs, Dawson scoring 26 of them. Three wickets were then lost, but Friend (26) and Bryden (20 no) then scored freely and for the second week running Dylan Muir came in to score the winning run, this time with 2 overs to spare. Pick of the bowlers was young C. McBride with 2 for 14.

Annandale Insurance 123 for 4. Irving Meadow 124 for 4. Irving Meadow won by 6 wickets.

In a close fought match played in the true spirit of the Midweek league, Meadow just managed to pip Lockerbie for the win.

Batting first, Lockerbie kept the score ticking along with Bourner and Gracie both reaching retirals, and Smith contributing a useful 11. Pick of the bowlers was J. Gooding with 2 for 14 and occasional bowler M. Rawlings pitched in with a useful 4 over spell for only 19 runs, also taking the wicket of danger man Veitch.

In reply, despite losing early wickets, Irving and Friend steadied the ship before Bart began to accelerate the run rate reaching 26. Skipper Wharton joined in with a rapid 7 before Dylan Muir hit the winning runs with 3 balls to spare.

Lockerbie 95 for 5. Irving Meadow 96 for 5. Irving Meadow won by 5 wickets.

Defending Sulwath Shield champions started their defence with a resounding victory over the Shipwrecks.

Bowling first again, Meadow kept things tight from the start, with Wharton and Irving only conceding 7 and 6 runs each from their 4 overs, both taking wickets. Dawson and Goodin kept the pressure on and Friend cam on towards the end to sweep up the tail. For the second match in succession, and opening batsmen carried their bat, this time Mike Lumb for 19 not out, and only the guesting Ewan Sutton joined him in reaching double figures in a final score of 70 all out.

In reply, Sutton picked up the wicket of Moss early on, but retirals from Goodin and Friend left Dawson and Irving to see Meadow to their target in the 13th over.

New Bazaar Shipwrecks 70 all out. Irving Meadow 71 for 1. Irving Meadow won by 9 wickets.

Meadow carried on the winning ways with a comfortable victory over the Police.

Batting first, the Police were skittled out for 23 with Brown the pick of the batsmen, carrying his bat for 13 no. No fewer than 6 batsmen recorded ducks. Pick of the bowlers was Ali Bryden with a "Michelle" - 5 for 1 (wide)! Pete Harriman took 3 for 0 in two overs and was promptly taken off!

In reply, opening bowler Steed took 4 for 8 from his 4 overs, including Campbell caught by sub fielder A. Gass, but M. Gass and Irving soon saw the total reached in the 9th over.

Police 23 all out. Irving Meadow 24 for 4. Irving Meadow won by 6 wickets.

Meadow showed a much improved performance and proved to be too strong for Annan at the Kingholm.

Annan won the toss and chose to bat. Harriman had some early success, trapping Bellis LBW, but Weild and McCann then put on a big partnership before both retired. After 11 overs, the score had already reached 69, but some tight bowling by Dawson and Friend in the later stages saw the total kept to a reachable 103 for 4.

In reply, Meadow were always up with the run rate, and despite the suicidal run out of Harriman, Dawson, Moss and Friedn all reached retirals, before it was left to Alan Gass to hit the winning runs with 10 balls to spare.

Annan 103 for 4. Irving Meadow 104 for 1. Irving Meadow won by 9 wickets.

After a walkover in the first week, when the Shipwrecks couldn't raise a team, Meadow proved to be rather rusty as they went down to a strong Kingholm XI side.

Batting first, most of the Meadow batsmen got a start, but only the returning Seymour managed to get into double figures and it was left to skipper Wharton and Rawlings to bat out the overs and push the total to a mere 75 for 9.

In reply, Ahsunal rode his luck a little as chances failed to stick and retired on his 25 and ultimately this was the difference as Meadow couldn't quite manage to get the rest of the batsmen out and the total was reached with 7 wickets down and a couple of overs to spare.

Irving Meadow 75 for 9. Kingholm XI 76 for 7. Irving Meadow lost by 3 wickets.

In their last league game of the season Meadow got back to winning ways with a comfortable win over the Police for the second time this season.

Batting first, the boys in blue were on the offensive early as Leggitt put a ball in the river in only the second over, only to fall in the next over to the accurate Harriman. The score then ticked along, until the introduction of Dylan Muir in the 9th over. He them removed four batsmen in the space of 12 balls for only 7 runs, and after Chalmers retired on 26, Dawson and the improving Rawlings kept things tight, picking up a wicket each as the Police were all out for 68.

In reply, despite losing Campbell and Gibson in the first over, Goodin and Harriman steadied the ship before Goodin fell on 20. Rawlings joined Harriman, and eventually got off his duck for the season, scoring only 6, but keeping Harriman company as he moved to his 25 no. A mini collapse then ensued before in fading light, Irving and Muir nicked the winning single with 2 overs to spare. Pick of the bowlers for the Police were Leggitt with 2 for 8, and Donowho and Davidson at the tail, each taking a wicket and only going for one and a half runs per over.

Police 68 all out. Irving Meadow 69 for 6. Irving Meadow won by 4 wickets.

On a dull, cool, overcast night - have we ever managed to play Annan on a nice night? - Meadow travelled to Annan, a ground they have never won on, and again came home empty handed.

Batting first, Goodin was lost early to an LBW decision, but Dawson and Irving settled things down against some accurate bowling, particularly from Wield. Dawson moved on to reach his 25 no, but Bryden and Gibson were both out for ducks soon after. Irving and Wharton did what they could to accelerate the scoring near the end, with Irving out to a fine catch at deep mid-on and despite Alan Gass' best efforts in the last over, the total was only 76 for 7. Wield bowled well without success and Bellis chipped in with 3 for 10.

In reply, Annan were cruising to victory, with openers Pagan and Wield both reaching their retirals, both being particularly harsh on both Goodin and Dawson's bowling. However an inspired bowling change by skipper Wharton bringing himself on led to a double wicket maiden, and a tight over from Rawlings gave Meadow a faint glimmer of hope, but it was not to be, and Annan ran out comfortable winners with more than 4 overs to spare.

Irving Meadow 76 for 7. Annan 77 for 2. Irving Meadow lost by 8 wickets.

9th August 2009 - Meadow lift their first Cup

Irving Meadow won by 9 wickets.

In a match played in the true Midweek League spirit, Meadow saw off the challenge of the Burgh Boys, winning by a comfortable 7 wickets.

Burgh Boys batted first and took their full 20 overs to reach 68 for 7, with Spike (G. Flack) top-scoring with a 25 n.o. retiral. Meadow spread the bowling about, with 8 bowlers used and Gass Snr, Potter, Irving, Muir Jnr and Maybank all took wickets.

In reply, newcomer Adam and Dylan Muir opened the batting, but were both out early on, with Harry Potter striding to the crease at the dizzy heights of number 3, in the first over. 16 overs later, he was still there on 22 n.o. as the winning runs were scored. Ali Bryden scored a fine 24 before being caught out off the bowling of the up and coming Aidan Collingwood.

Burgh Boys 68 for 7. Irving Meadow 69 for 3. Irving Meadow won by 7 wickets.

After the previous week's wash out, Meadow produced a fine team performance to brush aside the Police in the Sulwath Shield Semi-final by 9 wickets (yes Duncan, this is the "Big" Cup for the winners!).

Batting first, thanks to some fine bowling again by Harriman and Wharton, the Police were struggling from the word go, with only 12 runs coming from the first 8 overs and with the loss of 2 wickets. Change bowlers Irving and Dawson kept the pressure on, with only Alan Davidson being able to keep the score ticking, but when he was dismissed for 14, the run rate dried up again.Wickets fell as catches were taken and the fielding kept sharp, leading to two run outs. The Police were finally all out in the penultimate over for 41, with all 6 bowlers taking at least one wicket.

In reply, Bryden and Irving opened again, but the 3 week lay off did nothing for the latter's timing and he was dropped twice before falling for 12. Ally Bryden batted sensibly for his 23 no, and saw Meadow through to their target in the 11th over.

Police 41 all out. Irving Meadow 44 for 1. Irving Meadow won by 9 wickets.

New Bazaar Shipwrecks got their revenge for the earlier Cup defeat when they edged out Meadow by 3 runs in a close encounter.

Batting first, Geoff Dean led the way for the Shipwrecks with 28 no, with the other telling contribution from Alex Taylor who also retired. Pick of the bowlers for Meadow was Brown with 3 for 10, although the "Kiwis" Dawson and Goodin both bowled tight spells in the latter half of the innings.

In reply, despite losing Harriman early, Dawson and Goodin batted sensibly before the former was caught on 13. Goodin went on to reach 27 no, and after a mini collapse, Brown and Campbell couldn't quite do enough, with Brown on 24 no and Meadow an agonising 3 runs short at the end of 20 overs.

New Bazaar Shipwrecks 98 all out. Irving Meadow 95 for 6. Irving Meadow lost by 3 runs.

In another high-scoring encounter, Meadow just pipped a spirited Kirkmahoe side with 5 balls to spare.

Kirkmahoe batted first, and despite losing Armstrong early on, Cringean, Bellwood and Steele all reached their retirals as the run rate accelerated sharply after a tight opening spell by Wharton and Harriman. A good total of 110 for 3 was posted.

In reply, Irving and Bryden opened and it was clear that Irving was in a hurry to get off on his holidays as he raced to his 26 no from the first 33 runs scored. Despite losing Gibson first ball, Bryden and Dawson then moved to their retirals, along with a useful 14 from Harriman. It was then left to Gass Senior and Junior to get the 11 runs required from the last two overs.

Kirkmahoe 110 for 3. Irving Meadow 111 for 5. Irving Meadow won by 5 wickets.

In a close fought match, Meadow, welcoming Mark Craig, Malcolm Kent and George Aitchison out of retirement, edged past Lockerbie for the second time this season to reach the semi-finals of the Sulwath Shield.

Lockerbie batted first, and despite losing Carpenter and Smith early posted a good 103 for 5 in their 20 overs, with Andy Veitch reaching his 25 no, well supported by Bourner, Crawford and Gracie. Pick of the Meadow bowlers was the opening partnership of Wharton and Harriman, only going for 24 runs from their 8 overs.

In reply, Meadow were always up with the run-rate, openers Irving and Bryden leading the way with 25 no and 21 respectively. They had good back up down the order too, with Gibson, Dunlop and Harriman all into double figures, and it was left to skipper Gass to finish things off with a 6, as the target was reached with 14 balls to spare.

Lockerbie 103 for 5. Irving Meadow 105 for 4. Irving Meadow won by 6 wickets.

On a perfect night for cricket, and in a relatively high scoring game, the experienced players from Loreburn Centre (St Michaels Youth), proved to be the deciding factor in another defeat for Meadow.

Batting first, Bryden and Harriman got off to a steady start, but as wickets fell, the scoring rate got bogged down in the middle of the innings, and it was left to Dunlop to take the total over the 100 mark with 14 runs from the last 4 balls to finish with 23 no. Ally Bryden reached his 25, and Harriman, Maybank and Brown all reached double figures in a final total of 108.

In reply, Brockwell and Marscheider rode their luck a little as they reached 24 and 27 no respectively. Some of the juniors showed some good technique without scoring too many runs, but some big hitting from Irvine ensured the target was reached with 3 overs to spare. Pick of the bowlers was Pete Harriman with 3 for 24 from 3 overs, despite the 24 being scored from only 5 balls!

Irving Meadow 108 for 6. Loreburn Centre 112 for 6. Loreburn Centre won by 4 wickets.

On a damp and miserable night in Castle Douglas, and on a slippy pitch Galloway Country Style got the better of Meadow in a high scoring encounter.

Batting first, the home side made the most of the slippy conditions of the ball and in the field to rach up a high score of 132 for 3. Foster and Conn both reached their retirals and Berry, Bradley, Hullat and Akeel all chipped in with scores in the teens. Irving picked up two of the wickets to fall, both thanks to good catches in the "Neil Gibson" position of deep slip, by Wharton.

In reply, Meadow made a valiant attempt to chase the target, and more or less kept up with the required run rate, but a good spell of bowling from Bradley and a couple of run-outs from direct hits saw us fall 21 runs short. Dawson and Goodin both reached their retirals, with good support from Gibson and Brown.

Galloway 132 for 3. Irving Meadow 111 all out, Galloway won by 21 runs.

It was back to Thursday night last week for Meadow, meaning Pete Harriman was missing from the previous week's winning side, along with both Dawson and Goodin, but with Dunlop returning after holidays. Meadow batted first against the Woodhouse father and son bowling attack of the pace of "young" Tom, and the guile of Willie. It was the old head that took the wickets, with fine figures of 3 for 16. In fact, against some generally tight bowling, it was a struggle to get the ball away, with Neil Irving taking his time over his 25 n.o., leaving Mark Wharton and the Gasses to do their best to accelerate the scoring in the last few overs. A total of 88 for 5 looked like it may be a few runs short of what might be needed, but was nonetheless a decent total to defend.

In reply, Raverty and Hutchison were soon into their flow and punished the loose balls until Hutchison mistimed one after scoring 21. Raverty went on to his retiral and Aitken carried on where they left off as the Kingholm XI cruised past the total with the loss of only two wickets. Pick of the Meadow bowlers was Mark Wharton, picking up a wicket and already passing his total for last year after only five matches!

Irving Meadow 88 for 5. Kingholm XI 89 for 2. Irving Meadow lost by 8 wickets.

Irving Meadow faced their old rivals, the New Bazaar Shipwrecks in the first round of the Sulwath Shield and continued their good early season form with a comfortable 69 run victory.

After losing the toss, Meadow were asked to set a total to chase, and thanks to some fine batting and running between the wickets by Muir Snr and Dawson, the score had sped along to 62 for 1 from the first 7 overs. However the retiral of Dawson and the wicket of Muir led to a mini collapse, with the in-form Gibson and returning Harriman both out cheaply. Bryden and Irving then settled things down somewhat and kept the scoreboard going, albeit at a much slower rate than previously, with Irving going on to reach his 25 no by the end of the 18th over. A tight last over by Dean kept the score down to 117 for 6. Pick of the bowlers was Cameron with 2 for 18.

In reply, the Shipwrecks struggled all the way against some tight bowling and excellent fielding throughout. Only Colin Taylor managed to stay at the crease for any length of time (and that wasn't only taking his mark!), reaching his 25 no. They were eventually all out for 48 in just under 17 overs. Drew Dawson mopped up the tail, with 2 for 1, and Neil Irving and Pete Harriman chipped in, both with 2 for 8. The fielding yielded 4 catches and 2 run outs, with Neil Gibson's diving, juggling catch, just outscoring Harry's excellent running catch as the pick of the night - and possibly season. All in all a fine effort all-round.

Irving Meadow 117 for 6. New Bazaar Shipwrecks 48 all out. Irving Meadow won by 69 runs.

Meadow bounced back with a comfortable victory over the Healthpros, who could only manage 8 players, plus a guest appearance from Meadow 12th man, Gass Snr.

Batting first, only McKinnel, Duck and Extras reached double figures for the Healthpros, as they were all out for 76 in the last over. Pick of the bowlers was Duncan Muir with 2 for 3 from 3 overs, and skipper Gass Jnr, with 2 for 11.

In reply Meadow got off to a decent start, but lost Drew Dawson to a fine caught & bowled from David Strachan. Ally Bryden and Neil Gibson then punished any loose balls at they both reached their 25 not outs. It was left to Tom Maybank and Ross Dunlop to see us through to the target with almst five overs to spare.

Healthpros 76 all out. Irving Meadow 80 for 1. Irving Meadow won by 9 wickets.

A strong Annandale Insurance side proved to be too good for Meadow at Nunholm. Batting first, Drew Dawson and Duncan Muir both batted sensibly to reach their retirals, but the middle order struggled to get the ball away after their good start, and the eventual total of 96 for 3 was probably at least 20 runs short of what would have been a decent score to chase.

In reply, Annandale Insurance knocked off the runs in 15 overs, with Rennie and Farries both retiring, and it was left to Potts to score the winning runs, although he was lucky to still be there after escaping a run out which would definitley have been referred to the third umpire, and a dropped chance.

Irving Meadow 96 for 3, Annandale Insurance 100 for 1, Irving Meadow lost by 9 wickets.

Meadow began their 2009 League season with a comfortable win over Lockerbie. Batting first, we managed 99 for 5, with Duncan Muir (27) and Neil Gibson (25) both reaching maximums, aided by a useful knock from new skipper, Gass Junior (13). Pick of the Lockerbie bowlers were S. Crawford, who swung the new ball well, and A. Veitch, who picked up 2 for 19.

In reply, Lockerbie got off to a good start, but a suicidal run out started a bit of a collapse, and despite some big hitting from Andy Veitch (24), they were all out some 20 runs short of the target. Michael Gass mopped up the tail, with three wickets and Duncan Muir and Neil Irving picked up a couple each. Even Harry managed a wicket! It was a fine fielding performance too, with catches taken well in the outfield - just don't mention the keeper!

Irving Meadow 99 for 5, Lockerbie 79 all out. Irving Meadow won by 20 runs.

It was back to Kinghom 2 last week for the next match against the Police. Last season saw two very opposite matches with them, with one game being over 130 runs each, and the other saw them bowled out for 22, so it was perhaps no surprise there were no such fireworks this season.

With light drizzle falling, the match got underway, with the Police batting first, and opener Ian Leggatt showed his class notching a fine 30 n.o. Fortunately, the other batsmen struggled against some tidy bowling, and only Lowrie reached double figures, but the total reached was 74, thanks to 23 extras. Best of the bowlers was Dylan Muir with 2 for 5 (3 of these being wides), and Neil Irving with 2 for 18.

Immediately sfter the changeover, the rain which had more or less kept away during the first innings returned with a vengeance, and with Meadow on 18 without loss after 3 overs, the match was sensibly abandoned, with Bob Davidson generously concedeing the match to Irving Meadow based on the overs played. Neither side will threaten to win the league, so this should have little effect to the overall standings.

Police 74 for 6, Irving Meadow 18 for 0. Irving Meadow win on Duckworth/Lewis method!

It was a first visit to Nunholm for the season to take on the strong Coatbridge Coldstore Colts, boasting 3 of the APD Dumfries 1st XI squad, as well as five or six more of the Nunholm second team players, and the youngsters proved too strong, despite a battling performance from Meadow.

Vice captain Michael Gass lost the toss and was invited to bat first, and Meadow struggled against the opening attack of R. McBride and A. Kyle, losing two quick wickets, and taking only 19 runs from the first 8 overs. M. Carig and N. Irving then tried to push the run rate a bit, only for Neil to lose his wicket to a mis-timed drive. Alan Gass did not trouble the scorers, and George had to be helped from the field with a torn calf, trying to turn a 2 into a 3. Mark retired unbeaten on 27, and a sparkling partnership between skipper Gass and young Dylan Muir, added valuable late runs, with Gass firing a rapid 25 n.o. and Dylan managing an undefeated 8. 22 extras helped the score reach 100.

In reply, the Colts rattled along at a fast run rate, but had a scare or two along the way, with opener Hoyle removed for just a single, and Richardson out to a fine one handed caught & bowled from Michael Gass. First XI opener Bellwood reached his retiral, and Tommy McBride was close to it before being deceived in flight by Stephen Brown, and it was left to Howard and Forsyth to see the home side home with more than 6 overs to spare. Pick of the bowlers was Mark Wharton, fresh from his spell in Oz, with 1 for 19 from his 4 overs.

Irving Meadow 100 for 5, CC Colts 103 for 3. CC Colst won by 7 wickets.

It was a similar story to the previous week as Annan crashed their way to a comfortable victory at the Kingholm.

Batting first, Pagan and Wield set off at a run a ball, with Wield taking 16 runs off George Aitchison's last over to spoil his figures somewhat. Bellis, Irving and McCann all made useful contributions, with Bellis joining Wield in reaching his unbeaten maximum, and the innings finished on 122 for the loss of just four wickets. Pick of the bowlers despite not taking a wicket was Alan Gass, conceding only 12 runs from his 3 overs.

Irving Meadow replied with the new opening partnership of Bryden and Dumfries CC under 13 captain, Seymour. The skipper played on, and that summed up the batting performance of the team, as we could only manage 56 for 7 in the 20 ovrs, with Seymour out in the last over for a battling 20. Pagan and Paterson picked up 2 wickets apiece. The difference between the two side was the number of boundaries, with Annan managing 11 fours and 3 sixes, to Meadow's single four - a clear sign of too many shots along the ground!

Annan 122 for 4, Irving Meadow 56 for 7. Irving Meadow lost by 66 runs.

The first round cup match on Thursday saw Meadow slump to a 46 run defeat to a strong Kingholm XI.

Batting first, despite the early loss of opener Bedford, P Rafferty and G Dalziel took a liking to the Potter-less attack and raced the score onto 62 from the first 8 overs, with Rafferty retiring on 25 and Dalziel on 29. The change bowlers then took a tighter grip on things and Tom Woodhouse and Colin Wallace struggled to get the ball away. Another couple of wickets fell before Woodhouse finally reached 26 and the final total posted was 114.

In reply, Irving Meadow struggled against the experienced opening attack of T. Woodhouse and C. Wallace, with only 19 runs coming from the first 8 overs, but for the loss of three wickets, including the in-form skipper Ally Bryden. Tom Woodhouse rounded off a fine all round performance with 2 for 6 from his 4 over spell. The two Neils then set about steadying the ship, but struggled to raise the run rate, particularly against the veteran campaigner Willie Woodhouse, before Neil Irving fell to a fine catch by the diving Southam for 21. Michael and Tom tried their best to score some quick runs without avail, and the innings ended on 68 for 6, with Neil Gibson carrying his bat for 24 not out.

Kinghol XI - 114 for 3, Irving Meadow 68 for 6. Kingholm XI won by 46 runs.

A disappointing turnout of only 5 from the opposition resulted in a claimed win for Irving Meadow on Tuesday. Those that were there had a useful practice batting in pairs for four overs each, joined by the Burgh Boys that had turned up.

Irving Meadow recorded their first win of the season with a 7 wicket win over the Shipwrecks. Both sides were under strength, with Meadow managing 9 and Shipwrecks 10.

Shipwrecks batted first, with the Taylor father and son combination and they saw off the pace attack of Dunlop and Wharton, reaching 30 without loss from the first 8 overs. Taylor junior showed his father how to do it retiring after reaching 25. Change bowlers Gass Snr and Bryden were both a little more expensive, but both achieved breakthroughs, the highlight being Alan Gass diving to deflect a straight drive from his own bowling onto the stumps to leave Colin Taylor run out on 18. Wickets then fell regularly to the closing bowlers Irving and Gass Jnr, with both taking two and effecting a run out between them. Sid Barbour did his best to hold the innings together, scoring a useful 16 not out whcih took the final score to 96 for 7.

After last week's defeat, we knew the target was achievable and skipper Bryden took the attack to the opening bowlers Eustace and Cameron, reaching his 27 in the 8th over. Unfortunately Gordon and Alan had both lost their wickets to the tricky left hander Cameron in that time. This brought the two Neils to the middle, and some sensible batting, taking the 1's and 2's that were there took the score to within a dozen of the target with three overs to go before Neil Gibson was bowled by Jeffrey. Neil I and Harry saw the innings through, reaching the target with 5 balls to spare, Neil reaching 26 with the winning boundary.

The match was played with a white ball, and despite the sightscreens actually being in the right place, the general consensus was that it was much easier for batsmen, fielders and umpires to see the ball, particularly in the latter stages when the light was fading. Good job we've got a few more to use this season.

Shipwrecks 96 for 7. Irving Meadow 100 for 3 - Irving Meadow won by 7 wickets

Meadow slumped to a second league defeat after Kirkmahoe chased down a respectable 97 runs to win with and over to spare.

Irving Meadow opened with A. Gass and G. Aitchison and Alan soon showed the new bat was broken in with a nice straight drive for 4, before departing for 10. N. Irving joined George at the crease and took the score along to 31 after the 8 overs from K. Wilson and D. Armstrong. George went next over and M. Craig and Neil took the score on to 51 after 13 at which point Neil retired with 28 n.o. Despite a couple of further lusty blows from Mark resulting in his retiral, a total of 96 for 5 was the best that could be achieved in the face of some pretty accurate bowling that was difficult to get away. Arran and Harry combined well in the last couple of overs with some smart running, which was certainly an improvement from last week! Pick of the bowling figures was C. Rankine's 2 for 9, and the general consensus was that the score could have done to have been 10 or 15 runs more.

In reply Kirkhamoe opened with the reliable Wilson and Armstrong, but despite a good spell from R. Dunlop there was no early breakthrough. In fact as the innings progressed there was no breakthrough at all. Wilson retired on 25, C. Rankine replaced him and completed a fine all round performance as he reached his 25 also. R. Steele hit a few powerful shots (as Neil Irving will testify to!) to race to 20 n.o. supported by Davy Armstrong who carried his bat to 22 n.o. as the target was reached in the 19th over.

Irving Meadow 96 for 5, Kikrmahoe 97 for 0. Kirkmahoe won by 10 wickets.

Irving Meadow started their campaign on Wednesday 7th May, and were obviously too confused by not being at Annan, or requiring thermals and three jumpers as they slipped to defeat by 12 runs to the Loreburn Centre (St Michaels).

After inserting the opposition, some fairly tidy bowling restricted the opposition to 94 all out, with M. Gass, M. Wharton, G. Aitchison, A. Gass and N. Irving all amongst the wickets. The opposition score was made on the back of retirals for C. Brockwell and Ahsnaful (Arsenal!), backed with a couple of lusty blows by Fahruk at the end.

In reply, only A. Bryden and M. Craig reached double figures, with both retiring and only a useful cameo by N. Gibson towards the bottom of the order made the target look like it could be reached. M. Lumb was the pick of the bowlers, but the batting efforts weren't helped by four run outs - two by direct hits. There's also no truth in the rumour that Dwayne Chambers left Castleford Rugby League without a contract as he failed the fitness test of running with the IMCC skipper!

Loreburn Centre 94 for 7, Irving Meadow 82 for 8. Irving Meadow lost by 12 runs.