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

Davey Fallas - delighted

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.)