Ship's Writer Sails Off Into Sunset

Depatches have recently been intercepted indicating that, barring a major storm, The Shipwrecks' Writer and Blog Author Colin Taylor will be departing for foreign shores imminently.

A rare triumph - Shield Winners 2005

All remaining Shipwrecks are therefore invited to join him in the Riverside on Thursday 6th March from 6.30 pm in order to pay their last respects, recall past triumphs and disasters (mainly the latter?) etc over the winter rum ration.

This also means there is a golden opportunity for someone to take over the blog and advance their own literary career.  A loose grasp of reality and an ability to string together a never-ending sequence of nautical puns are essential. Potential applicants should telegraph Captain McCuaig directly.

Note:  Please make all cheques payable to "The C Taylor Preservation Fund."

There was a sort of a meeting (formerly known as the AGM) at Captain McCuaig's table in Daksh last Friday night on eight and a half bells. Six Shipwrecks made it to the restaurant, Andy

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Hutchinson having retired to sick bay after trying to lift a tree.

It was generally agreed that the amalgamation with Kingholm Meadow had worked well as the season had been a good one.  In the absence of Purser Dean, the Captain explained that funds stood at a healthy figure after payment of TWO years' League fees (shome mishtake here shurely - Ed.)

There was an engaging discussion about what colour cannonballs to use next season, at the end of which it was agreed to spend £40 on a selection of red and orange balls from ebay. (Action: The Captain)

Although only used by Ali last season, it was agreed to encourage the annual sailing subscription of £20 as this ensures a good advance level of funds.

There was no change in the Officers' Mess as all were re-elected unopposed.  Midshipman Fallas retains his lead role on the field of play as Vice Captain to Donald McCuaig, who has responsibility for team selection.

It was however agreed that previous team lists need to be amalgamated to avoid over- and undermanning in future, and that Donald should be nominated match day contact as Purser Dean continues to sail the seven seas.

It was also decided after drinks had been taken that Daksh is the best Indian restaurant in Dumfries.

Journey's End

This week Shipwrecks played a final friendly against Galloway Allstars, who mustered a full crew to sink our coxless eight plus volunteer Rory.

Shipwrecks 85 for 7 (Taylor 25 ret, Service 12 ; Scobie 3-23, N. Hamblin 2-9) : Galloway Allstars 86 - 4 (G. Hamblin 28 ret, Williams 26 ret, T. McGrath 14 n.o.)

Scobie to Dougan

Batting first, Shipwrecks made heavy weather for themselves when their first four hands were dismissed for single figures trying to hoist the lady bowlers and it took a salty, Pugwash-like rearguard action from Taylor to post a vaguely respectable total.

As Shipwrecks struggled for bowlers the visitors nevertheless resorted to gender discrimination in easily knocking off the target of 86, of which the lady sailors made precisely two.

Meanwhile we look forward to the annual curry night on 22 September, kindly sponsored by the East India Company. 

Shipwrecks Fall Seriously Adrift

Shipwrecks went down heavily in what proved to be their final encounter of the season against RWS Forestry.  Only nine hands arrived in port from an expected eleven at the toss, Andy Hutchinson having missed the longboat and only arriving for the last two overs of the opposition innings.

Fortunately Sid Oates had stowed away to make up the numbers to ten, but short of two bowlers, things were made worse when Davey Fallas pulled up with a strain after one over and was consigned to sick bay.  The understandable result against stronger opposition was the inevitable carnage.

Scores: RWS Forestry 179 for 5 (J. Walker 43 retd., C.Brockwell 40 retd., C.Lumb 32, R.McNay 23, R. Geddes 11 n.o.) : Shipwrecks 99 for 5 (M. Service 42 retd., J.Worthington 19 n.o., A.McEwen 17 ; D.Armstrong 2-29)

To their credit, the batters made good use of their oars and several performed well faced by an insurmountable total, Mike Service notably making a splash with some firm strikes against the better bowling to take the Myers Rum Man of the Match award.

Andy Hutchinson Attacks A High No Ball

Overall the Shipwrecks can be pleased with their campaign this season.  Buried treasure in the cup was never a realistic option and they sailed on for many a nautical mile undefeated in League Division II, presumably finishing second.  They put involvement in the fray higher than success at any cost, fought according to the rules more than some, and basically enjoyed the cruise.

Foul Weather Affects Shipwrecks' Progress

The Shipwrecks went down narrowly in their final League fixture, a top of the table encounter with Dalton at the Kingholm on Thursday in which the home team got the worst of some stormy conditions.

Scores: Dalton 90 - 6 (Barnes 25 ret, Irwin 25 ret, Scarfe 17 ; Hutchinson 2-14) : Shipwrecks 85 - 5 (R Raverty 22, P Raverty 21, Hutchinson 17 n.o. ; Newport 2-12)
Dalton won by five runs

Having lost the toss, Shipwrecks took the field and restricted the run rate until a heavy westerly gale set in causing dangerously slippery decks and a number of no balls that should probably have resulted in an abandonment. Complicated navigational calculations however suggested that the Second Division Championship probably depended on the outcome so the match was continued with some enthusiasm - at least from the visitors - after a brief interruption.

Meanwhile the match ball had started to ressemble a bar of Wright's Coal Tar Soap and the Shipwrecks accordingly dropped a fistful of takeable chances.  Nevertheless, Davey "Jones" Fallas ran out the mysteriously enrolled FGc by kicking the ball onto the stumps and Andy Hutchinson removed McCutcheon with a slow yorker.  So Dalton had to run hard to record any sort of decent score.

Shipwrecks innings was marred by an early incident when John Dougan retired offended by an insulting remark from an oppostion fielder after nearly having been decapitated by a dangerous no ball. Fortunately the matter was resolved by an exchange of semaphore signals between the two captains and the rest of the game was played according to the normal rules of engagement.

Newport fell over twice on the by now soaking artificial as the Raverty brothers made steady progress without running each other out. But at the end of the game Shipwrecks best batters, Hutchinson and Fallas, were left stranded with not enough balls to mount a decisive final attack.

A mighty six by Hutchinson off Newport's last over gave momentary hope but Dalton ran out winners, helped by two sharp catches by a shoeless and padless unnamed Aussie freeloader behind the sticks.

The Sailor Jerry Man of the Match Award went to the cheery Andy Hutchinson for his strong overall contribution.

Shipwrecks On Course

The Shipwrecks remain dangerously on course for the Second Division title in the Foster's Midweek League after another close nine run victory against Dumfries Colts at Nunholm on Thursday.

Scores: Shipwrecks 110 - 7 (R Raverty 28 ret., Service 25 ret., Hutchinson 25 ret. ; McBirnie 3-31) : Dumfries Colts 101 - 7 (Malik 26 ret., Corbett-Byers 26 ret., Little 19 n.o. ; Taylor 2-17)

Batting first, Shipwrecks nearly foundered at the outset as Dougan (all guns firing), Pat Raverty and Sid Oates were all caught out.  The innings was effectively rescued by a strong partnership between Richard Raverty, who finished with a sweet cut shot and Mike Service, who later did a creditable job of keeping Corbett-Byers at bay and scoring a few runs off him too.

Andy Hutchinson scrambled on board late (as usual) to make a third maximum with some measured blows.

On restart Taylor used the moderate southerly to get some swing and fortuitously captured Kyle, who chased a wide'un. Malik never managed full steam in making his retirement and Captain McCuaig skillfully manipulated his available bowling troops so that MacEwan and Hutchinson were held back to strangle the runs in the last few overs.

The OVD Man of the Match Award went to Mike Service for his crucial innings.

Richard Raverty Cuts - Service Looks On

For the avoidance of confusion amongst the ranks, please note that our last two League fixtures are on 2nd (Healthpros) and 3rd August (Dalton) - i.e. consecutive sailings.

Shower Scuttles Shipwrecks

Shipwrecks had a futile maiden voyage to Gatehouse to play Galloway Allstars on Thursday when a heavy storm put an end to hostilities after only sixteen overs with the home crew on 40 for 3.

Having planned to sail with only enough hands to man a coxless eight, Shipwrecks arrived with enough to handle a twelve man schooner and found the home team themselves struggling to put to sea with just eight men, women and children afloat.

Sid Oates treacherously volunteered to jump ship and proceeded to make more runs (14) than he has done all season for his own team at number three.  Meanwhile Taylor eliminated Teale and newcomer Kenny ? put McGrath to the sword before McKenna ran Oates out to put the mariners in complete control.

But foul weather had by then moved in from South East Iceland and the home umpires were finally forced to abandon the game, having first ensured that  all on board got a thorough soaking.