SHIPWRECKS PLOT A NEW COURSE
At their AGM on Friday in the Riverside Bar the crew members present agreed a new future for Shipwrecks CC.
The meeting was quorate but cabin boy Danny was reported missing presumed lost overboard, the crew agreed a keelhauling was the least he deserved.
The chair for the evening was Naebeard Dean who had taken stock of the provisions afore the meeting, The captain and vice-captain's report became a shaggy dog story of if's,buts, and maybes but crew mates agreed we had a season of calm seas and turbulent storms mixed together ,as ever, for the Shipwrecks.
Special mention was made of the development of the bowling of Jim (Francis Drake ) Worthington who seemed to master the art even whilst the Shipwrecks were floundering. Despite strenuous efforts by Naebeard his faultless display behind the timbers was not mentioned!
The treasurer (Naebeard again) reported on the need for more booty next year as the cash did not flow adequately this year , although there was a contribution to the grog and ships biscuits later.
The chief blogger reported the need for a little help/additional input and Naebeard volunteered again!! Those present made very positive comments about Colin's great work with the Ships (B)log thus far.
New crew members will be sought before the next season of voyages-several seaworthy names were mentioned and a raid on the good ship Thornhill may be made. Others mentioned as hearty fellows were Alan, Connor and the Blackbeard Shabba. Fallas D was agreeable to recruit or Shanghai as many as possible.
Donald was reinstated as captain of the team as he is on a steep learning curve and will be ably assisted by Fallas D and a whole host of crewmen shouting flotsam .
Burser will continue to be Naebeard with enforcement duties ascribed to Mike (Senior) Service.
A bounty of £20 will be paid by each player at the start of the season to avoid needing to collect every week, those who don't wish to pay £20 can continue to pay £2 per voyage, but will be more effectively collected.
A voyage to the far off reaches of the Sea of Mid-Nithsdale will be made to give the crew a run out before the start of next season.
Mike agreed to get information about the Sannox sixes as a tour option next hear. Some of the crew felt a little mal de mer at the thought but agreed to consider it.
The meeting then abandoned ship and headed for the Spice Islands across the road before briefly mooring at the Ship, anchor was not weighed here as they had a poor quality of grog on offer. A return to the Riverside followed where it appeared that some of the crew had either fallen over the side or had been taken by pirates to another place.
All reported to shore bases and arrived safely home, although some appeared wetter than others!!
The Shipwrecks blog will be in dry dock for a while now but should be seaworthy again come the spring.
Monday 12 September 2016
Sunday 28 August 2016
Shipwrecks Mugged
The Shipwrecks lost their Foster's Mug Final tie against to Healthpros at Nunholm.
On a slippery deck, some poor fielding and early bowling allowed the Healthpros to get off to a strong start through openers Orr and Hill, and although the last ten overs yielded slightly less runs, the only real highlight was a sensational one-handed diving catch by Alasdair McEwen off Andy Cameron to deny Hill a maximum.
Shipwrecks' chances were clearly fading into the horizon once Mike Lumb called McEwen for a tight single, but Lumb at least established a creditable partnership with last man Andy Cameron to take the Shipwrecks to a vaguely respectable 98-8.
Meanwhile some tampering by Mike Service meant that the electronic scoreboard was showing 123 after the eighteenth over but this was enough to cause only a momentary panic in the opposition ranks.
Afterwards in the Riverside Bar, it was generally agreed that the sea gods had not been in our favour.
Scores: HealthPros 130 for 4 (R Orr 43 retd, D Hill 38, D Strachan 26, M Williams 16 n.o.) : Shipwrecks 98 for 8 (M Lumb 26 n.o., J Dean 22, A Cameron 17 n.o. ; J Doig 3 for 12, F Strachan 2 for 13)
HealthPros won by 32 runs
On a slippery deck, some poor fielding and early bowling allowed the Healthpros to get off to a strong start through openers Orr and Hill, and although the last ten overs yielded slightly less runs, the only real highlight was a sensational one-handed diving catch by Alasdair McEwen off Andy Cameron to deny Hill a maximum.
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| Cameron to Williams |
After a stuttering start during which they lost three wickets, Shipwrecks maintained a tolerable run rate to make 47 off the first ten overs, but Chamilla and F. Strachan checked their progress in mid-ocean. A clear turning point took place when Davey Fallas was adjudged lbw first ball and turned for the pavilion after closely inspecting the edge of his bat.
Shipwrecks' chances were clearly fading into the horizon once Mike Lumb called McEwen for a tight single, but Lumb at least established a creditable partnership with last man Andy Cameron to take the Shipwrecks to a vaguely respectable 98-8.
Meanwhile some tampering by Mike Service meant that the electronic scoreboard was showing 123 after the eighteenth over but this was enough to cause only a momentary panic in the opposition ranks.
Afterwards in the Riverside Bar, it was generally agreed that the sea gods had not been in our favour.
Scores: HealthPros 130 for 4 (R Orr 43 retd, D Hill 38, D Strachan 26, M Williams 16 n.o.) : Shipwrecks 98 for 8 (M Lumb 26 n.o., J Dean 22, A Cameron 17 n.o. ; J Doig 3 for 12, F Strachan 2 for 13)
HealthPros won by 32 runs
Friday 19 August 2016
Blog in Dry Dock
This is just a belated note to say that the Shipwrecks' Blog has been suspended as Writer Colin Taylor has been suffering with a severe bout of scurvy.
Look for it returning next season, if perhaps in a modified and briefer form. There are only so many seafaring puns you can get away with...
Meanwhile congratulations to the lads, who have made it to the Final of the Foster's Mug competition!
Look for it returning next season, if perhaps in a modified and briefer form. There are only so many seafaring puns you can get away with...
Meanwhile congratulations to the lads, who have made it to the Final of the Foster's Mug competition!
Sunday 19 June 2016
Tragedy At Sea
If Wednesday's cup performance was one of the Shipwrecks' better days, Thursday's league fixture against Dalton was one of their worst - a day when everything that could go wrong did go wrong and no amount of maritime puns can do justice to the full horror of the carnage that resulted.
First Mike Lumb had to be dispatched to pick up Danny McBryde at 6.00 pm, with the result that they did not arrive until four overs have been bowled. So instead of ten men in the field against Dalton's eight batters, there were effectively six as continuing injuries to Colin Taylor and Donald McCuaig limited their mobility in the field. On a murky evening where batting first would have been a clear advantage as well as buying some time to get organised, the toss had of course been lost.
Not only that, opening bowlers Alasdair McEwen and Peter Cooper lapsed into a series of half trackers on the slowest pitch in the League so that the score had rocketed to 44 - 0 as the Dalton openers Steele and Barnard gleefully helped themselves.
Cooper's second two overs did improve, enabling him to bowl the Dalton figurehead, Amanda Creedon who played on first ball and was followed shortly by W. Jack, but Chris Lumb also started poorly with a number of wides before settling down.
Colin Taylor struggled to get to the wicket at all and his first three deliveries were dispatched for four. There was a brief moment of hope when he caught and bowled both Scarfe and Graham-Campbell in quick succession, the former with a particularly good catch.
At this stage there was still a possibility that the game could be brought back in control, but it was effectively lost when Davey Davidson was dropped with the score on 79. Shipwrecks contrived to drop him twice more as he piled on the runs with Richmond and the returning Creedon, who wittily remarked that she would be keeping her legs together in future. Davidson was eventually very well taken by Chris Lumb at cover but by now the damage had been done.
Although there were plenty of runs to be had on a fast outfield, Dalton's 138 already looked an unlikely target. Sid Oates and Danny McBryde made a slow start, amassing 10 off four overs as McBryde ran two short runs. Both were quickly bowled by Davidson in his first over. The same bowler eventually accounted for Chris Lumb, who top scored with 17 after looking promising.
A little before that Richmond removed Mike Service, who had already clouted a couple of boundaries, with his first ball and Mike Lumb with his second. There was some resistance from Cooper, Jim Worthington and McCuaig but McEwen capped a poor night by getting out for four and Taylor was the second to record a golden duck. By this time anyway, Shipwrecks hopes of retaining their unbeaten League record had subsided far beyond the darkening horizon.
Home advantage on a pitch like Dalton is an important factor but Shipwrecks were completely out of sorts and, for the most, played like a team suffering from jetlag.
Scores: Dalton 138 -7 (Richmond 28 ret, Barnard 25 ret, Steele 25 ret, Davidson 22, Scarfe 12 ; Connor 2-22, Taylor 2-32) : Shipwrecks 88 – 8 (C. Lumb 17, Worthington 11 n.o., Connor 11 ; Davidson 3-16)
First Mike Lumb had to be dispatched to pick up Danny McBryde at 6.00 pm, with the result that they did not arrive until four overs have been bowled. So instead of ten men in the field against Dalton's eight batters, there were effectively six as continuing injuries to Colin Taylor and Donald McCuaig limited their mobility in the field. On a murky evening where batting first would have been a clear advantage as well as buying some time to get organised, the toss had of course been lost.
Not only that, opening bowlers Alasdair McEwen and Peter Cooper lapsed into a series of half trackers on the slowest pitch in the League so that the score had rocketed to 44 - 0 as the Dalton openers Steele and Barnard gleefully helped themselves.
Cooper's second two overs did improve, enabling him to bowl the Dalton figurehead, Amanda Creedon who played on first ball and was followed shortly by W. Jack, but Chris Lumb also started poorly with a number of wides before settling down.
Colin Taylor struggled to get to the wicket at all and his first three deliveries were dispatched for four. There was a brief moment of hope when he caught and bowled both Scarfe and Graham-Campbell in quick succession, the former with a particularly good catch.
At this stage there was still a possibility that the game could be brought back in control, but it was effectively lost when Davey Davidson was dropped with the score on 79. Shipwrecks contrived to drop him twice more as he piled on the runs with Richmond and the returning Creedon, who wittily remarked that she would be keeping her legs together in future. Davidson was eventually very well taken by Chris Lumb at cover but by now the damage had been done.
Although there were plenty of runs to be had on a fast outfield, Dalton's 138 already looked an unlikely target. Sid Oates and Danny McBryde made a slow start, amassing 10 off four overs as McBryde ran two short runs. Both were quickly bowled by Davidson in his first over. The same bowler eventually accounted for Chris Lumb, who top scored with 17 after looking promising.
A little before that Richmond removed Mike Service, who had already clouted a couple of boundaries, with his first ball and Mike Lumb with his second. There was some resistance from Cooper, Jim Worthington and McCuaig but McEwen capped a poor night by getting out for four and Taylor was the second to record a golden duck. By this time anyway, Shipwrecks hopes of retaining their unbeaten League record had subsided far beyond the darkening horizon.
Home advantage on a pitch like Dalton is an important factor but Shipwrecks were completely out of sorts and, for the most, played like a team suffering from jetlag.
Scores: Dalton 138 -7 (Richmond 28 ret, Barnard 25 ret, Steele 25 ret, Davidson 22, Scarfe 12 ; Connor 2-22, Taylor 2-32) : Shipwrecks 88 – 8 (C. Lumb 17, Worthington 11 n.o., Connor 11 ; Davidson 3-16)
Shipwrecks Close To Cup Glory
To start the Foster's Midweek League Cup campaign, Shipwrecks were drawn against high floating Annandale Insurance Kirkmahoe (AIK), who are currently second in Division One.
Shipwrecks' High Command were not much amused by losing home advantage in faour of the Panther-Healthpros fixture as apparently no-one from Nunholm Port Authority would have been available to supervise the docking procedures. The 'Wrecks thought their best chance with a weakened team would be on the choppy meadows of Kingholm 2. As it happened Healthpros pulled out, leaving K2 to the seagulls.
In fact Shipwrecks distinguished themselves in what ensued at Nunholm - a tasty encounter that was only lost on the very last ball.
Eventually nine sailors only rolled up, of whom Skipper Donald McCuaig and Colin Taylor were carrying substantial injuries. Recognising the distress signals, AIK granted them permission to bat in spite of losing the toss again.
Sid Oates was quickly bowled by Jones, but his departure gave Mike "Senior" Service the opportunity to profit from the new Cup rules allowing batsmen to retire on a maximum of 39+. Only making two fours in his first twenty five and playing cautiously against the more dangerous balls, he then picked up the rate as others around him struggled.
Meanwhile Jim Worthington had put together a slow but steady 15 off 43 balls before falling on his own cutlass attempting a hopelessly ambitious quick single. Unfortunately neither Chris Lumb nor Alasdair McEwen, who might have been potential matchwinners, made any serious headway, so the usual disorderly run scarmble resulted in the last four overs, Mike Lumb fortunately manning the wheel for long enough to steer the innings home despite luring Andy Cameron to another run out.
Shipwrecks' innings concluded on 108 - 7, a total that felt relatively modest in view of the fast outfield.
Chris Lumb immediately transmitted his intentions by dispatching Andrew McDonald to the poop deck with a fast yorker, and continued to cause damage with the aid of two catches from McEwen. Taylor and Andy Cameron looked to hold the run rate down for a wicket apiece, and the former only went for 13 off his four overs, Worthington taking a good catch at mid off.
Unfortunately some minor slip-ups on deck meant AIK got runs they shouldn't have but the two teams were still neck and neck going into the last couple of overs, the last of which saw Mike Lumb bowling to a tight field, all crew members looking to save singles. Off his very last ball, however, Mark Irwin scrambled a single through fine leg to claim the result.
This was overall an above par performance by Shipwrecks with both bat 'n' ball. Man of the Match was Mike Service for his excellent 42 retired.
Scores: Shipwrecks 108 – 7 (Service 42 ret, Worthington 14 ; Elliot 2-20) : Annandale Insurance Kirkmahoe 109 – 7 (Muir 41 ret, Irwin 16 n.o., Elliot 15, Barr 15 ; C. Lumb 3-22)
Shipwrecks' High Command were not much amused by losing home advantage in faour of the Panther-Healthpros fixture as apparently no-one from Nunholm Port Authority would have been available to supervise the docking procedures. The 'Wrecks thought their best chance with a weakened team would be on the choppy meadows of Kingholm 2. As it happened Healthpros pulled out, leaving K2 to the seagulls.
In fact Shipwrecks distinguished themselves in what ensued at Nunholm - a tasty encounter that was only lost on the very last ball.
Eventually nine sailors only rolled up, of whom Skipper Donald McCuaig and Colin Taylor were carrying substantial injuries. Recognising the distress signals, AIK granted them permission to bat in spite of losing the toss again.
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| Mike Service strikes a maritime pose |
Meanwhile Jim Worthington had put together a slow but steady 15 off 43 balls before falling on his own cutlass attempting a hopelessly ambitious quick single. Unfortunately neither Chris Lumb nor Alasdair McEwen, who might have been potential matchwinners, made any serious headway, so the usual disorderly run scarmble resulted in the last four overs, Mike Lumb fortunately manning the wheel for long enough to steer the innings home despite luring Andy Cameron to another run out.
Shipwrecks' innings concluded on 108 - 7, a total that felt relatively modest in view of the fast outfield.
Chris Lumb immediately transmitted his intentions by dispatching Andrew McDonald to the poop deck with a fast yorker, and continued to cause damage with the aid of two catches from McEwen. Taylor and Andy Cameron looked to hold the run rate down for a wicket apiece, and the former only went for 13 off his four overs, Worthington taking a good catch at mid off.
Unfortunately some minor slip-ups on deck meant AIK got runs they shouldn't have but the two teams were still neck and neck going into the last couple of overs, the last of which saw Mike Lumb bowling to a tight field, all crew members looking to save singles. Off his very last ball, however, Mark Irwin scrambled a single through fine leg to claim the result.
This was overall an above par performance by Shipwrecks with both bat 'n' ball. Man of the Match was Mike Service for his excellent 42 retired.
Scores: Shipwrecks 108 – 7 (Service 42 ret, Worthington 14 ; Elliot 2-20) : Annandale Insurance Kirkmahoe 109 – 7 (Muir 41 ret, Irwin 16 n.o., Elliot 15, Barr 15 ; C. Lumb 3-22)
Friday 10 June 2016
Shipwrecks Sail Close To The Wind
The Shipwrecks overcame an old sailor's curse at the Kingholm on Thursday, when they finally managed to triumph over the Healthpros by three wickets in their Midweek League Division II encounter. But success only came after a distinctly creaky batting performance, which nearly saw them sunk without trace.
In fair to sweltering conditions, the start of the match was unfortunately delayed as Ali McEwen was late after jetting into Annan* and still had the boundary marker buoys in his car after the last game. Meanwhile the Healthpros won the toss and chose to bat.
Colin "Old Man of The Sea" Taylor and McEwen himself delivered a series of eight tight overs in a game of Ship's Cat and Mouse as the early batters refused to be drawn into any misadventures. Dave Hill was calmly caught at gully by Mike Service off Taylor's third delivery and McEwen soon bowled Sue Strachan. No more wickets fell on their watch but by the end of it Taylor had figures of 1-4 and McEwen's were only spoiled by a big six from Williamson off his last delivery.
With only around 20 on the board, the pressure was now on the Healthpros to tighten the sails. Although Chris Lumb first struggled to find rhythm, Jason Hall picked up a couple of wickets, including the vital one of Doig, who was bowled for 20. Mike Lumb conjured up a seaworthy spell, bowling the threatening Chezian for 9 and having Chamilla neatly caught amidships by Lumb (Jr.).
The latter then returned to good effect to remove David Strachan and Kalaya, Davey Fallas picked up a couple of stumpings, Williamson took nearly the full 20 overs to complete his retirement and experienced sailor Ben Rayen, surprisingly held back at No.11, was left stranded with Rosie Ryan on small not outs.
That the final total hoisted was 92 for 9 reflected the fact that Shipwrecks managed to concede 21 wides, so it was a good job they weren't sailing an aircraft carrier. There was nevertheless an air of complacency below decks at the dinks interval.
This proved entirely misplaced as Doig quickly had Mike Service caught at mid-off and then scuppered Kelvin Maxwell with a straight one. At the other end Chamilla's bowled two overs of left arm spin that could have done more damage than just bowling Geoff Dean for 2. Hall survived an lbw appeal to a rising delivery but was soon bowled by D. Strachan. Chris Lumb, perhaps sensing danger charged down the wicket for a quick single and was run out. At this point no Shipwreck had made more than his 6 and the team was running out of firepower.
Fortunately it fell those veterans of many a battle off the Clyde Coast, Mike Lumb and Davey Fallas to hold firm in stormy weather. Fallas fired a couple of quick boundaries as the score finally began
to pull away.
Doig and Chamilla were brought back to break the Shipwrecks' lines and the pair responded with caution but still kept the required run rate at no more than five an over. Lumb played a couple of nice deflections to the short boundary and Fallas hit a fine six before each retired in quick succession.
This left McEwen and Taylor to get 15 off the last four overs in poor light but McEwen hit one four off Strachan and two off Ryan to complete the job unaided.with two overs to spare.
The result puts the Shipwrecks ahead of J. Walker & Son at the top of Division 2, resulting in lengthy celebrations in The Riverside Bar
Man of the Match was a clearly delighted Davey Fallas for his vital 25 retired and two stumpings.
Scores: Healthpros 92 – 9 (Williamson 28 ret., Doig 20 ; M. Lumb 2-11, Hall 2-12, C. Lumb 2-25) : Shipwrecks 94 – 7 (Fallas 25 ret., M. Lumb 25 ret., McEwen 14 n.o. ; Doig 2-17)
Shipwrecks won by three wickets
*Some mistake here surely (Ed.)
In fair to sweltering conditions, the start of the match was unfortunately delayed as Ali McEwen was late after jetting into Annan* and still had the boundary marker buoys in his car after the last game. Meanwhile the Healthpros won the toss and chose to bat.
Colin "Old Man of The Sea" Taylor and McEwen himself delivered a series of eight tight overs in a game of Ship's Cat and Mouse as the early batters refused to be drawn into any misadventures. Dave Hill was calmly caught at gully by Mike Service off Taylor's third delivery and McEwen soon bowled Sue Strachan. No more wickets fell on their watch but by the end of it Taylor had figures of 1-4 and McEwen's were only spoiled by a big six from Williamson off his last delivery.
With only around 20 on the board, the pressure was now on the Healthpros to tighten the sails. Although Chris Lumb first struggled to find rhythm, Jason Hall picked up a couple of wickets, including the vital one of Doig, who was bowled for 20. Mike Lumb conjured up a seaworthy spell, bowling the threatening Chezian for 9 and having Chamilla neatly caught amidships by Lumb (Jr.).
The latter then returned to good effect to remove David Strachan and Kalaya, Davey Fallas picked up a couple of stumpings, Williamson took nearly the full 20 overs to complete his retirement and experienced sailor Ben Rayen, surprisingly held back at No.11, was left stranded with Rosie Ryan on small not outs.
That the final total hoisted was 92 for 9 reflected the fact that Shipwrecks managed to concede 21 wides, so it was a good job they weren't sailing an aircraft carrier. There was nevertheless an air of complacency below decks at the dinks interval.
This proved entirely misplaced as Doig quickly had Mike Service caught at mid-off and then scuppered Kelvin Maxwell with a straight one. At the other end Chamilla's bowled two overs of left arm spin that could have done more damage than just bowling Geoff Dean for 2. Hall survived an lbw appeal to a rising delivery but was soon bowled by D. Strachan. Chris Lumb, perhaps sensing danger charged down the wicket for a quick single and was run out. At this point no Shipwreck had made more than his 6 and the team was running out of firepower.
Fortunately it fell those veterans of many a battle off the Clyde Coast, Mike Lumb and Davey Fallas to hold firm in stormy weather. Fallas fired a couple of quick boundaries as the score finally began
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| Davey Fallas - delighted |
Doig and Chamilla were brought back to break the Shipwrecks' lines and the pair responded with caution but still kept the required run rate at no more than five an over. Lumb played a couple of nice deflections to the short boundary and Fallas hit a fine six before each retired in quick succession.
This left McEwen and Taylor to get 15 off the last four overs in poor light but McEwen hit one four off Strachan and two off Ryan to complete the job unaided.with two overs to spare.
The result puts the Shipwrecks ahead of J. Walker & Son at the top of Division 2, resulting in lengthy celebrations in The Riverside Bar
Man of the Match was a clearly delighted Davey Fallas for his vital 25 retired and two stumpings.
Scores: Healthpros 92 – 9 (Williamson 28 ret., Doig 20 ; M. Lumb 2-11, Hall 2-12, C. Lumb 2-25) : Shipwrecks 94 – 7 (Fallas 25 ret., M. Lumb 25 ret., McEwen 14 n.o. ; Doig 2-17)
Shipwrecks won by three wickets
*Some mistake here surely (Ed.)
Sunday 29 May 2016
Shipwrecks Stumble on Hidden Treasure
On Thursday Shipwrecks were eventually adjudged winners (see previous post) after crossing the line equal with Nunholm Colts on a mudflat of a pitch which contrasted strongly with the fast-running surface usually found up the river.
This actually made for quite an interesting tie as strokes that would normally have sailed away for four were left struggling in the foam at the edge of the boundary. But apart from increasingly Able Seaman Chris Lumb, it was a night when Shipwrecks were often their own worst enemies.
Having won the toss but with players still to arrive, Skipper Donald McCuaig decided to bat and donned the pads to open the innings with Mike Service. What happened was not reminiscent of a graceful ocean liner pulling away in the breeze, more like a tug trying to free itself from a sandbank as neither player managed to score well against accurate bowling from Lewis and especially Sam Thornely. McCuaig edged behind for 4 in the fifth over and Service struggled on to 14 accompanied by some skylarking from Danny McBryde before he was bowled by Lewis' last delivery.
Chris Lumb immediately went on the attack and advanced his team's cause considerably with a quick 25 and once McBryde had hit one in the air off Malik, there was the chance to restore order on board through Jason Hall and Alasdair McEwan.
At this point the sea-gods did not favour the Shipwrecks as Hall was luckily caught when a parried shot fell nicely to be recaptured by square leg, and then McEwan played a full toss firmly to leg but not hard enough to defeat sweeper Thornely.
After Lumb retired rookies Danny Davison and Alvin Dunn were unsure when to run and spurned several opportunities, which incidentally was the case for much of the Shipwrecks innings. Oldsters Taylor and Mike Lumb were left with the task of trying to scrape a few runs in the last three overs and the ship's surgeon was on emergency standby when they ran a five from a double overthrow off Lyburn. Bad luck once again played its part when Lumb then was run out by a throw that ricochetted onto the stumps off the bowler's legs.
Shipwrecks had struggled to 99 - 9.
McEwan and Chris Lumb opened the bowling with some tight overs and Lumb found a beauty to splice the mainbrace of the threatening Black in an excellent 1-4. Lyburn plodded to a maximum and Malik produced some fine shots but Dunn and Hall kept the tiller under control until the 17th over as Thornely struggled to make effective contact in worsening conditions.
Unfortunately a stiff Taylor and a rusty Davison, entrusted with the last four overs with nearly thirty needed produced a series of wides that let the Colts back into the game. Although Davison bowled Thornely the last ball went down with the totals even and it took a run out to stop the home team reaching the target. At which point the technicalities started and it eventually emerged that an ineligible player was at the crease for Nunholm - but not before an extensive post mortem had been held in The Riverside Bar by Shipwrecks High Command who at that point thought they had lost.
Undisputed Man of the Match was Chris Lumb for his all round contribution.
Scores: Shipwrecks 99 – 9 (C. Lumb 25 ret., Service 14 ; Hussein 2-8, Lyburn 2-15, Lewis 2-20) : Dumfries Colts 99 – 7 (Malik 26 ret., Lyburn 25 ret., Thornely 13)
Dumfries Colts forfeited game for fielding an ineligible player.
This actually made for quite an interesting tie as strokes that would normally have sailed away for four were left struggling in the foam at the edge of the boundary. But apart from increasingly Able Seaman Chris Lumb, it was a night when Shipwrecks were often their own worst enemies.
Having won the toss but with players still to arrive, Skipper Donald McCuaig decided to bat and donned the pads to open the innings with Mike Service. What happened was not reminiscent of a graceful ocean liner pulling away in the breeze, more like a tug trying to free itself from a sandbank as neither player managed to score well against accurate bowling from Lewis and especially Sam Thornely. McCuaig edged behind for 4 in the fifth over and Service struggled on to 14 accompanied by some skylarking from Danny McBryde before he was bowled by Lewis' last delivery.
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| Man of Match - Chris Lumb |
At this point the sea-gods did not favour the Shipwrecks as Hall was luckily caught when a parried shot fell nicely to be recaptured by square leg, and then McEwan played a full toss firmly to leg but not hard enough to defeat sweeper Thornely.
After Lumb retired rookies Danny Davison and Alvin Dunn were unsure when to run and spurned several opportunities, which incidentally was the case for much of the Shipwrecks innings. Oldsters Taylor and Mike Lumb were left with the task of trying to scrape a few runs in the last three overs and the ship's surgeon was on emergency standby when they ran a five from a double overthrow off Lyburn. Bad luck once again played its part when Lumb then was run out by a throw that ricochetted onto the stumps off the bowler's legs.
Shipwrecks had struggled to 99 - 9.
McEwan and Chris Lumb opened the bowling with some tight overs and Lumb found a beauty to splice the mainbrace of the threatening Black in an excellent 1-4. Lyburn plodded to a maximum and Malik produced some fine shots but Dunn and Hall kept the tiller under control until the 17th over as Thornely struggled to make effective contact in worsening conditions.
Unfortunately a stiff Taylor and a rusty Davison, entrusted with the last four overs with nearly thirty needed produced a series of wides that let the Colts back into the game. Although Davison bowled Thornely the last ball went down with the totals even and it took a run out to stop the home team reaching the target. At which point the technicalities started and it eventually emerged that an ineligible player was at the crease for Nunholm - but not before an extensive post mortem had been held in The Riverside Bar by Shipwrecks High Command who at that point thought they had lost.
Undisputed Man of the Match was Chris Lumb for his all round contribution.
Scores: Shipwrecks 99 – 9 (C. Lumb 25 ret., Service 14 ; Hussein 2-8, Lyburn 2-15, Lewis 2-20) : Dumfries Colts 99 – 7 (Malik 26 ret., Lyburn 25 ret., Thornely 13)
Dumfries Colts forfeited game for fielding an ineligible player.
Friday 27 May 2016
Tied?... Lost?... Won!
The outcome of most sea battles is usually clearcut, but not so Shipwrecks' encounter with Dumfries Colts at Nunholm last night.
The game finished tied after Nunholm made 99 -7 in answer to 99 - 9 by the Shipwrecks, most of whom thought the game tied. According to League Rules however, tied games are won by the team losing less wickets, so a victory to the young horses seemed the right result.
But this morning an urgent semaphore from Colts' Skipper Sam Thornely was received forfeiting the game as the youngster who came in in the last over was not eligible to take part.
Tributes are due to Colts' Capt. Thornely for conceding the fixture as all those hands on watch duty had their eyes fixed firmly on The Riverside and did not notice anything untoward.
A full report will follow over the weekend as the Ship's writer is out dancing the hornpipe tonight.
The game finished tied after Nunholm made 99 -7 in answer to 99 - 9 by the Shipwrecks, most of whom thought the game tied. According to League Rules however, tied games are won by the team losing less wickets, so a victory to the young horses seemed the right result.
But this morning an urgent semaphore from Colts' Skipper Sam Thornely was received forfeiting the game as the youngster who came in in the last over was not eligible to take part.
Tributes are due to Colts' Capt. Thornely for conceding the fixture as all those hands on watch duty had their eyes fixed firmly on The Riverside and did not notice anything untoward.
A full report will follow over the weekend as the Ship's writer is out dancing the hornpipe tonight.
Saturday 14 May 2016
Piracy On The High Seas!
This Thursday's encounter with the young scrap merchants of J. Walker & Son (St. Michael's Youth) presented a major strategical difficulty for the scurvy dogs known as The Shipwrecks. A Council of War showed that, with Davey Fallas on compassionate leave and Geoff Dean awol, the remaining squad would have difficulty coping with a well-drilled young crew led by two experienced Aussie merchantmen.
Fortunately, Mike "Yo ho ho and A Bottle of" Lumb came up with a dastardly underhand plot. In an act of total piracy, an ambitious raid led by Lumb succeeded in kidnapping known mercenary and
buccaneer Pat Druce, the Scourge of Galloway, as he set sail from the Isle of Whithorn on a maiden voyage to Amsterdam. Having been forced to swear an oath of lifelong loyalty to the Shipwrecks with a cutlass to his throat, he was allowed to sail freely to Kingholm No. 1 Dock, where he arrived with only a few balls bowled.
Meanwhile, Skipper Donald McCuaig had continued his excellent naval record of losing the toss and Shipwrecks took the field in some disarray. Opening bowler McEwan soon accounted for Geddes, who succeeded in clearing the masthead with a steepling shot, only to be calmly taken by Danny McBryde on the poopdeck. But Aussie pros Lulham and Jordan were already on the attack, launching cannonballs toward the horizon, so it was helpful that Druce entered the fray for the second over after a leisurely discussion on the Shipping Forecast with the opposition.
A key skirmish ensued between the still sharp bowling of Druce and the batting skills of the Aussies and, once Lulham had retired, youngster Connor Lynch, who is starting to shape up like a real sailor. A key moment in the game came when Chris Lumb, with only one mast to aim at, ran out Jordan with a rocket of a throw.
A quick discussion in the Officers' Mess decided on the introduction of slower bowling from the top end, a ploy which worked well as Andy Cameron then Jason Hall, both claimed two wickets with lobbed grenades in short spells, young Lumb now taking a great catch running sideways off Cameron. Druce had meanwhile ditched the promising Levi White with another sharp throw, and the dastardly Lumb Sr.had stumped the last senior serviceman, Ross Lamb.
After a promising start, the J. Walker youths sunk to 101 all out and were in need of a salvage operation.
The start of Shipwrecks' innings was certainly not plain sailing as talented White used the sea breeze to good effect to eliminate McBryde after Mike Service perished to Fraser Jack, both offering rather unseaworthy shots.
Opener and chief conspirator Mike Lumb however settled down in the anchor role, as Lamb came on to bowl with pace and accuracy while Druce, who had not taken a wicket, started to show what a skilled helmsman he is, steering his rippling shots to all points of the compass. Gradually, the innings took a calmer course. After Druce's inevitable retiral, the laid-back Chris Lumb took the
wheel in impressive fashion as the two batters avoided a couple of typical Father and Son runout situations.
After Chris was stumped wandering too far amidships against Dan Turner, the force of the bowling had abated and even his piratical father ended with a flourish in tandem with Hall, before Alastair McEwan struck two fours to finish the game as Shipwrecks cruised home by five wickets.
The Man of the Match Award went to Mike Lumb for his resolute 28 retired, but most of all for the dastardly capture of Druce.
Scores: J Walker & Sons 101 all out (Lynch 28 ret., Lulham 26 ret., Jordan 16 ; Hall 2-6, Cameron 2-14, McEwan 2-25) : Shipwrecks 104 - 5 (M. Lumb 28 ret., Druce 26 ret., Hall 14 n.o., C. Lumb 13)
Fortunately, Mike "Yo ho ho and A Bottle of" Lumb came up with a dastardly underhand plot. In an act of total piracy, an ambitious raid led by Lumb succeeded in kidnapping known mercenary and
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| Pat Druce The Scourge of Galloway |
Meanwhile, Skipper Donald McCuaig had continued his excellent naval record of losing the toss and Shipwrecks took the field in some disarray. Opening bowler McEwan soon accounted for Geddes, who succeeded in clearing the masthead with a steepling shot, only to be calmly taken by Danny McBryde on the poopdeck. But Aussie pros Lulham and Jordan were already on the attack, launching cannonballs toward the horizon, so it was helpful that Druce entered the fray for the second over after a leisurely discussion on the Shipping Forecast with the opposition.
A key skirmish ensued between the still sharp bowling of Druce and the batting skills of the Aussies and, once Lulham had retired, youngster Connor Lynch, who is starting to shape up like a real sailor. A key moment in the game came when Chris Lumb, with only one mast to aim at, ran out Jordan with a rocket of a throw.
A quick discussion in the Officers' Mess decided on the introduction of slower bowling from the top end, a ploy which worked well as Andy Cameron then Jason Hall, both claimed two wickets with lobbed grenades in short spells, young Lumb now taking a great catch running sideways off Cameron. Druce had meanwhile ditched the promising Levi White with another sharp throw, and the dastardly Lumb Sr.had stumped the last senior serviceman, Ross Lamb.
After a promising start, the J. Walker youths sunk to 101 all out and were in need of a salvage operation.
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| Mike Lumb - wanted for piracy |
wheel in impressive fashion as the two batters avoided a couple of typical Father and Son runout situations.
After Chris was stumped wandering too far amidships against Dan Turner, the force of the bowling had abated and even his piratical father ended with a flourish in tandem with Hall, before Alastair McEwan struck two fours to finish the game as Shipwrecks cruised home by five wickets.
The Man of the Match Award went to Mike Lumb for his resolute 28 retired, but most of all for the dastardly capture of Druce.
Scores: J Walker & Sons 101 all out (Lynch 28 ret., Lulham 26 ret., Jordan 16 ; Hall 2-6, Cameron 2-14, McEwan 2-25) : Shipwrecks 104 - 5 (M. Lumb 28 ret., Druce 26 ret., Hall 14 n.o., C. Lumb 13)
Friday 6 May 2016
A New Nautical Record?
The Shipwrecks' campaign got underway in damp conditions at the Kingholm on Thursday against The Burgh Boys. Although squad members from the 'Wrecks and from Panthers, not wanting to suffer any loss of life in their first battles, had thoroughly swabbed the artificial, it was still distinctly slimey and the outfield could not have absorbed any more water without sinking.
Perhaps it should have been foreseen that so much water would favour the seafarers, but what resulted was of Leicester City proportions as the Burgh Boys foundered in the murk.
New skipper Donald McCuaig followed a long-established naval tradition by losing the toss and was invited to field. The first couple of overs passed off without event until the ball became spongey and Davey Fallas cast a curse on the opposition with a series of shooting spinners that did not turn - a bit like that West Indian guy who looks like something out of "Pirates of the Caribbean". Having bowled Edgar and had Webb caught, Davey produced a crucial ball from his locker to fell Aiden Collingwood lbw first ball and bowled Carmichael before leaving the battle scene grinning like a sea scout with a "job done" sticker.
McEwan picked up a couple of wickets as Mike Lumb took a nice legside catch off G. Cother's feather and Colin Taylor bowled two successive wides before managing to make the sponge move miraculously in the air to bowl Ben Flack. Next ball McEwan caught cleanly to end G. Cother's second attempt and the innings finally fell apart in spite of some last minute resistance by young R. Cother who played a couple of nice shots before Chris Lumb bowled him for 2.
Burgh Boys were all out for 18, probably the lowest total made by any side against Shipwrecks in maritime history... unless of course someone knows better.
In spite of overwhelming complacency, Shipwrecks opening pair of Geoff Dean and Mike Service had no trouble in navigating their way to victory in a game during which no single boundary was scored.
In spite of having gone AWOL, the Man of the Match Award went to leading seaman Davey "Jones" Fallas for his astounding bowling figures of 4 - 4 off four overs, a feat that was duly celebrated in The Riverside where Danny McBryde succeeded in emptying the fruit machine.
Perhaps it should have been foreseen that so much water would favour the seafarers, but what resulted was of Leicester City proportions as the Burgh Boys foundered in the murk.
New skipper Donald McCuaig followed a long-established naval tradition by losing the toss and was invited to field. The first couple of overs passed off without event until the ball became spongey and Davey Fallas cast a curse on the opposition with a series of shooting spinners that did not turn - a bit like that West Indian guy who looks like something out of "Pirates of the Caribbean". Having bowled Edgar and had Webb caught, Davey produced a crucial ball from his locker to fell Aiden Collingwood lbw first ball and bowled Carmichael before leaving the battle scene grinning like a sea scout with a "job done" sticker.
McEwan picked up a couple of wickets as Mike Lumb took a nice legside catch off G. Cother's feather and Colin Taylor bowled two successive wides before managing to make the sponge move miraculously in the air to bowl Ben Flack. Next ball McEwan caught cleanly to end G. Cother's second attempt and the innings finally fell apart in spite of some last minute resistance by young R. Cother who played a couple of nice shots before Chris Lumb bowled him for 2.
Burgh Boys were all out for 18, probably the lowest total made by any side against Shipwrecks in maritime history... unless of course someone knows better.
In spite of overwhelming complacency, Shipwrecks opening pair of Geoff Dean and Mike Service had no trouble in navigating their way to victory in a game during which no single boundary was scored.
In spite of having gone AWOL, the Man of the Match Award went to leading seaman Davey "Jones" Fallas for his astounding bowling figures of 4 - 4 off four overs, a feat that was duly celebrated in The Riverside where Danny McBryde succeeded in emptying the fruit machine.
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| Cricket in the Wet - Geoff Dean ponders Ben Flack's "slower ball" |
Thursday 28 April 2016
New Season Starts
Distress flares have recently been issued by a number of Shipwrecks (well, two actually) who state they have not been receiving any wires concerning the start of the forthcoming cricket season and are therefore ignorant of what course to set after Mayday.
For the eradication of all doubt, our first game will be against Burgh Boys on May 5th (that's next Thursday!) assuming a Royal Navy icebreaker succeeds in breaking up the ice on Kingholm 2.
All fixtures are now available on on the Midweek League Website together with an updated list of team contacts (except Gatehouse/Galloway Allstars) and the confusing new rules, which could cause a lot of yarns below decks at night in The Riverside.
Now is anyone up for a practice session?...
For the eradication of all doubt, our first game will be against Burgh Boys on May 5th (that's next Thursday!) assuming a Royal Navy icebreaker succeeds in breaking up the ice on Kingholm 2.
All fixtures are now available on on the Midweek League Website together with an updated list of team contacts (except Gatehouse/Galloway Allstars) and the confusing new rules, which could cause a lot of yarns below decks at night in The Riverside.
Now is anyone up for a practice session?...
Friday 15 April 2016
Pre Season Semaphore!
Attention all Shipwrecks! Here follows a couple of urgent communications on behalf of The Admiralty!
Practice Drills
Egged on by Danny McBryde, it is time for slumbering Shipwrecks to raise from their bunks. A practice session is likely to be annonced shortly. Stay on this frequency for further briefings!
2006 League's AGM
As you possibly know, the League AGM took place last week, with Captain MacCuaig nobly representing the Shipwrecks.
There are now some notes on the AGM outcomes, but you'll need to read them via the following links, as Telegraph Officer Taylor was too lazy to type them all out again in morse code:
https://themidweekleague.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/2016-agm-highlights-promotion-and-relegation/
https://themidweekleague.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/2016-agm-highlights-rule-changes-new-teams-and-cup-draw/
Incidentally, League fixtures will commence on 4th May.
Practice Drills
Egged on by Danny McBryde, it is time for slumbering Shipwrecks to raise from their bunks. A practice session is likely to be annonced shortly. Stay on this frequency for further briefings!
2006 League's AGM
As you possibly know, the League AGM took place last week, with Captain MacCuaig nobly representing the Shipwrecks.
There are now some notes on the AGM outcomes, but you'll need to read them via the following links, as Telegraph Officer Taylor was too lazy to type them all out again in morse code:
https://themidweekleague.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/2016-agm-highlights-promotion-and-relegation/
https://themidweekleague.wordpress.com/2016/04/15/2016-agm-highlights-rule-changes-new-teams-and-cup-draw/
Incidentally, League fixtures will commence on 4th May.
Monday 21 March 2016
Sea Trial
As the waters have now subsided around the Kingholm, we are now planning a pre-season practice to help us find our sea legs.
A discussion is underway over the Captain's Virtual Table to establish possible dates, so watch this space and await further instructions.
Please comment below if you would like/will avoid at all costs the idea of a practice session.
A discussion is underway over the Captain's Virtual Table to establish possible dates, so watch this space and await further instructions.
Please comment below if you would like/will avoid at all costs the idea of a practice session.
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| Exercise at Sea - Going Round in Circles |
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