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)