Shipwrecks On Course

Shipwrecks latest fixture against the Healthpros was played in Caribbean conditions at Kingholm II on Thursday, when they navigated a precise course to victory to overcome a late fightback by the visitors.

Alasdair McEwan was surprised to be asked to bat first by an understrength opposition in thirsty conditions. After a solid start from Jim Worthington and Donald McCuaig, Alex Taylor went full steam ahead aiming

Donald McCuaig gets one away behind square off Doig early in the innings

some lusty blows before being joined by Davey Fallas for his habitual typhoon maximum, including three sixes despatched seaward.  Initially out of touch, Geoff Dean knuckled down in similar vein with an impressive six off Kirsty Strachan, leaving time once Taylor retired to run Sarosh out as well as himself for 24 before the 'Wrecks innings disembarked on 114 - 6.

Meanwhile Mike Service - fatally undecided between attack and defence - and Colin Taylor - sliced a wide onto his own stumps - had been left behind to mutter a few choice naval curses on the boundary and Danny McBryde recorded a proud 1 not out.

Still in bright sunshine, Healthpros' Learie and Morisetty made a breezy start against Taylor (Sr.) and McEwan, testing out the sea legs of the older sailors with some sharp singles from the off.  But a neat spell of spin from Fallas halted the doctors' progress and, once McEwan bowled Learie, the introduction of the very tall Sarosh again caused bamboozlement as he lobbed a series of grenades down onto the pitch from about mast high to dismiss both McKinnel and Williams.

Shipwrecks' fielding also tightened up and Donald McCuaig took two outstanding catches at point - all the more impressive as, although shunning the traditional black patch, he is still recovering from a recent eye operation.  Then McEwan hit the stumps with a brilliant throw from about 30 yards to finally run out Morisetty.

MoM Alex Taylor -
Nice T shirt!

Considerably ahead on run rate but short of a fifth bowler, McEwan reluctantly called on legspinner Dean, who bowled a series of wides down the channel of total incredulity before yorking David Strachan with a much faster surprise delivery. Kirsty Strachan was run out soon after but Mutthiah and the returning Learie hit out across the line against the returning opening bowlers, and only six was needed when McEwan produced a dot ball off the last delivery.

So it all went to plan - sort of. The Berghain Man of the Match Award went to Alex Taylor for his important innings, finishing with a straight six.

Scores:  Shipwrecks 114 - 6 (A. Taylor 28 n.o., Fallas 26 n.o., Dean 24, McBryde 1 n.o.) : Healthpros 108 - 7 (Learie 13 & 12 n.o., D. Strachan 20, Morisetty 18 ; Sarosh 2-10)

Cup Dreams For Walking Wounded

Shipwrecks' controversial last round cup success has justified Petty Officer Dean's speculations on the night as a recent telex confirms that we have unfortunately progressed into the Sulwath Brewers' Cup through the repechage system, rather than the Shield, in which we would have strongly fancied our chances.

Preparing for next Shipwrecks' game - the scene below deck at Sulwath Brewers

Ironically we have also been drawn against Lockerbie at Lockerbie, so a repeat of last week's canoe race (see post below) looms on 6th August. Meanwhile, Derek "Shabba" Rankine has reported unfit with a broken finger during net practice, making the ship's injury list even more formidable.

Ship's surgeon Donald McCuaig is working flat out in the hope that at least two of the current long-term casualties, which also include Sid Oates, Chris Lumb and Mike Lumb, are fit to sail to Lockerbie.

This has been an unprecedented outburst of major injuries and our best wishes go out to all those affected.

Meanwhile, the remaining crew managed to pull off a six run victory against the Healthpros on Thursday, which alarmingly hauls us up to equal first place in Division II (full match report to follow soon).

Skeleton Crew Buried

Depleted once more by long-term illnesses, Shipwrecks could only manage to send a coxless eight out for the away fixture at Lockerbie on Thursday.  The home team themselves mustered just nine hands but superior batting strength eventually gave them a comfortable victory by seven lengths.

Condemned to bat first on the bouncy new Lockerbie wicket and moderately fast outfield, Shipwrecks nevertheless performed creditably in the Caribbean evening sunshine.  Donald McCuaig, promoted up the order by necessity was the only crew member to lose his wicket as Shipwrecks notched a reasonable target of 98 - 1 after a steady-as-you-go first few overs.

Take That! - Fallas In Brutal Mood

Jim Worthington discovered some nice legside shots to retire on 26 (including four 4s!) and was replaced by Davey Fallas, who lashed the ball around in brutal fashion for another 26 retired in only nine deliveries. Mike Service meanwhile played an uncharacteristic anchor role while Colin Taylor eventually knotted together another slightly fortuitous 25 not out, leaving Skipper McEwan to face the last ball of the innings and bring the total to a respectable 98 - 1.

Unfortunately, the bowling was not as tight as usual. The six outfielders looked like small yachts in a large ocean as Lockerbie openers Ross Crawford and (Ship's?) Carpenter launched rockets towards the horizon. Eventually Carpenter shaved one from Fallas to 'keeper Service who duly clung on.

But unfortunately all gunners deployed by the Shipwrecks went for more than six an over except for Taylor,

Mike "hands of glue" Service

who captured left-hander Bray with one that nipped away and Service did the honours once more to clinch the Velcro Man Of the Match Award.

More sharp work from the wicket keeper accounted for Stevie Crawford, when Service threw down the bowler's end wicket at ten paces with the batsman still strolling on deck.  However, further flurries from Andy Veitch and Graine, although nearly bamboozled by Sarosh on a couple of occasions, meant that Lockerbie got home with more than five overs to spare.

Future navigators might like to note that it is important to take a full squad to Lockerbie, where most wickets are likely to fall to catches due to the nature of the wicket, which pretty much takes bowled and lbw out of the game. However the real losers were those who could not play in what was a very pleasant game on a lovely evening - just right for a sea cruise.

Scores: Shipwrecks 98 - 1 (Worthington 26 n.o., Fallas 26 n.o., Taylor 25 n.o., Service 13 n.o.) : Lockerbie 99 - 3 (R. Crawford 25 n.o., A. Veitch 24 n.o., Carpenter 17)

Shipwrecks Cruise Home

Shipwrecks cruised to victory against a Dumfries Juniors outfit strengthened by club pro Loz and an influx of returning public schoolboys.

It was another balmy evening on the Costa del Kingholm, on which the football pitch had been cut shorter than the rest of the ground, obviously reflecting the sporting priorities of our times. Alasdair McEwan lost the toss and led his troops into the field.

Derek "Shabba" Rankine opened with three tight overs, but no wickets fell until Alex Taylor took a fine catch, performing a superb backward hornpipe at long on to dismiss Thornely (Sr.) off McEwan in the fourth over. The innings was nearly half way through before Fallas took a towering catch off Cameron just in front of the boundary to remove Birkbeck.

MoM Davey Fallas

Only three more wickets were to fall but, crucially, none of the juniors made many runs while Lyburn and Loz steamed ahead to record their maximums in the away side's 91 - 5.

Jim Worthington and Geoff Dean opened in pokey fashion until the former was well taken low by Loz at mid on, at which point Dean unleashed a series of stylish off drives to starboard.  Joined by Davey Fallas after Alex Taylor slipped up, the duo found the boundary with great regularity until Dean prodded back to Loz, called for an impossible run and duly walked the plank.

Once Fallas retired after the usual couple of sixes, Rankine was in similar mood and the remaining batsmen were really only needed in a supporting role.  Mike Service and Colin Taylor nevertheless managed to get out before Rankine won the game with his third four in the eighteenth over.

The Ship Inn Man of the Match Award went to Davey Fallas for his match-winning 28 and excellent catch.

Scores: Dumfries Juniors 91 - 5 (Lyburn 30 n.o., Loz 29 n.o ; Cameron 2-31) : Shipwrecks 92 - 5 (Fallas 28 n.o., Dean 24, Rankine 15 n.o. ; Currie 2-21)

No Show Shipwrecks Forfeit Game

Shipwrecks conceded this week's fixture against Burgh Boys, therefore forfeiting a distinctly winnable fixture immediately before poorer weather moved in as often happens in early July.

According to dispatches, only five players were available to enlist on Thursday following an outburst of heatstroke and tropical diseases, although later research suggests that in fact seven could have turned out.

As no general order to 'stand down' was issued, three of the squad actually turned up for the game, only to find themselves crewing the S.S. Marie Celeste against no opposition.