Shipwrecks' Cruise Nearly Wrecked!

Shipwrecks eventually scraped over the finish line in Thursday's match against Dumfries Colts in a tight game that went down to the last ball, Chick McKenna throwing caution to the winds and scudding home for a decisive bye in an 'exciting' finish.

Scores: Dumfries Colts 87 – 5 (Malik 25 ret, Byers 25 ret, Ahmed 18 n.o.) : Shipwrecks 88 – 9 (McCuaig 18, Service 16, Hutchinson 15, R. Raverty 10 ; Byers 3-6, McBurnie 3-20)
Shipwrecks won by 1 wicket

Having lost the toss, Shipwrecks took the field minus Davey Fallas, who had an attack of yellow fever, to face a band of enthusiastic sea scouts under the command of Bosun Stuart Byers.

Byers and Adam Malik duly reached their maximums, though not without initital difficulties but there was little further support with the bat apart from late on from Ahmed and the final total of 87 was decidedly gettable on a fast surface.  Ali McEwan was the sole wicket taker in an innings that included two run outs.

A notable contribution in the Shipwrecks innings came from youngster Katie Atkinson who quickly speared Sid Oates and impressed in battle with her classic bowling action.

Mike returned-to-duty Service and Captain McCuaig however pulled their oars together to build a steady partnership and from 39-1 off eight overs, Shipwrecks should have cruised home easily. But some ill-advised attacking shots and Mahmood hitting his own wicket ended the complacency.

Mike Service on the drive

Byers came on to sink Pat Raverty lbw and bowl Hutchinson and Richard Raverty while Taylor was well run out by Malik and the shift to cold panic was underway.  But with just a few singles needed and the excitement mounting, the tailenders held out and McKenna's amazing charge from the bowler's end with the ball in the wicketkeeper's gloves just saw him home.

In the ensuing celebrations and pandemonium, Ship's writer Taylor forgot to pick his camera so the Man of the Match Award goes to home skipper Stuart Byers for handing it in at the bar.

Unchivalrous Shipwrecks

The Shipwrecks unchivalrously put the predominantly female Galloway Allstars to the sword by 37 runs in the latest skirmish at Kingholm 2 last Thursday.

Scores: Shipwrecks 105 - 6 (Fallas 29 ret., Dougan 15, McCuaig 14) : Galloway Allstars 68 - 8 (Teale 27 ret., G Montgomery 26 ret. ; Taylor 2-6, Fallas 2-7, Hutchinson 2-10)

Seafaring tales are full of the past exploits of women pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read but unfortunately none were available for selection by the Allstars, who would really have needed maximums from most of their male counterparts to overhaul Shipwrecks' fair to middling 105.

It could have been different. Faced by a breezy attack from G. Montgomery and McGrath, who in particular appeared unaware of the 10 fathom run up rule, Shipwrecks lost both Ravertys and Mahmood for just 10 between them and found themselves becalmed on a paltry 29 at the half way stage.

However Dougan and Captain McCuaig steadied the ship before Davey Fallas fired off a lightning 28.  The Allstars pulled off some fearless stops in the field but a rising tide of extras helped the old salts to a reasonable score.

A solid shot from Fallas

John Dougan goes aerial

Some steady as-you-go bowling from Ali McEwan and Andy Hutchinson pinned down the visitors run rate but it was Man of the Match Davey Fallas who made the crucial breakthrough, beating T. McGrath with one that did not turn (Does he turn any? - Ed.)  For the Allstars, Natalie Hamblin batted sensibly and judged the runs well but Taylor returned with some big in-swingers, the runs dried up and the Allstars were left stranded in the sixties.

Shipwrecks Go Down in Dramatic Last Over

After easy sailing against Burgh Boys in Week 1 when the enemy failed to appear on the horizon, a few practice manoeuvres took place instead in the form of a double wicket competition. A small wager was suggested and pieces of eight thrown in the hat.  Colin Taylor and newcomer Mahmood duly looted the hidden treasure by scoring 35 without loss in their three overs.

Unfortunately, the 'Wrecks next came up against a highly trained and spirited crew of youngsters from St Michael's Junior Academy last Thursday, eventually sinking in the last over after a close tussle.

Scores:

Shipwrecks 96 all out (Hutchinson 25 ret., Mahmood 24, Fallas 12 ; Mikey 3-9, Lynch 2-14, Geddes 2-24) : St Michael’s Junior Academy 97 – 7 (Holmes 27 ret, Moore 27 ret. ; Mahmood 2-9, Hutchinson 2-10)

St Michael’s Junior Academy won by three wickets

Highlights and Low Lights

Having imported several sailors from the former SS Kingholm Meadow, it soon became clear that a common culture had been established as the new crew stumbled towards a decidedly mixed performance as several hands shot themselves in the foot with their bats. Typical Shipwrecks! It's good to see the old traditions preserved.

Richard Raverty is about to dispatch this ball for four - through the midwicket boundary

The innings was held together with a stylish maximum from Andy Hutchinson and a good contribution from Mahmood.  But the turning point of the innings and probably the game came when "Executioner" Oates condemned Davey Fallas on an lbw charge although it looked like the salvo from Geddes would have cleared all three masts.

From then on battle panic took hold, cool was lost and swashbuckling shots failed as the innings was mercifully terminated in the sixteenth over.

It looked like game over when Buccaneer Tom Holmes, having risked an early stumping, proceeded to lose several cannonballs in the long grass.

However the youngsters' South African pro Henri, in his first innings since arrival, went from Golden Hind to golden duck when he mistimed and was beautifully taken by bowler Hutchinson running back from the stumps.

The battle then swung completely as the youngsters tried to fend for themselves and it looked like Shipwrecks might have just done enough to scrape home. But Kieran "Mad Sea Dog" Moore turned the game with some strong late hitting.  Nearly taken in the deep by Taylor in the penultimate over, he lashed two sixes in the last to settle a good game.