Shipwrecks Close To Cup Glory

To start the Foster's Midweek League Cup campaign, Shipwrecks were drawn against high floating Annandale Insurance Kirkmahoe (AIK), who are currently second in Division One.

Shipwrecks' High Command were not much amused by losing home advantage in faour of the Panther-Healthpros fixture as apparently no-one from Nunholm Port Authority would have been available to supervise the docking procedures. The 'Wrecks thought their best chance with a weakened team would be on the choppy meadows of Kingholm 2. As it happened Healthpros pulled out, leaving K2 to the seagulls.

In fact Shipwrecks distinguished themselves in what ensued at Nunholm - a tasty encounter that was only lost on the very last ball.

Eventually nine sailors only rolled up, of whom Skipper Donald McCuaig and Colin Taylor were carrying substantial injuries. Recognising the distress signals, AIK granted them permission to bat in spite of losing the toss again.

Mike Service strikes a maritime pose

Sid Oates was quickly bowled by Jones, but his departure gave Mike "Senior" Service the opportunity to profit from the new Cup rules allowing batsmen to retire on a maximum of 39+.  Only making two fours in his first twenty five and playing cautiously against the more dangerous balls, he then picked up the rate as others around him struggled.

Meanwhile Jim Worthington had put together a slow but steady 15 off 43 balls before falling on his own cutlass attempting a hopelessly ambitious quick single.  Unfortunately neither Chris Lumb nor Alasdair McEwen, who might have been potential matchwinners, made any serious headway, so the usual disorderly run scarmble resulted in the last four overs, Mike Lumb fortunately manning the wheel for long enough to steer the innings home despite luring Andy Cameron to another run out.

Shipwrecks' innings concluded on 108 - 7, a total that felt relatively modest in view of the fast outfield.

Chris Lumb immediately transmitted his intentions by dispatching Andrew McDonald to the poop deck with a fast yorker, and continued to cause damage with the aid of two catches from McEwen. Taylor and Andy Cameron looked to hold the run rate down for a wicket apiece, and the former only went for 13 off his four overs, Worthington taking a good catch at mid off.

Unfortunately some minor slip-ups on deck meant AIK got runs they shouldn't have but the two teams were still neck and neck going into the last couple of overs, the last of which saw Mike Lumb bowling to a tight field, all crew members looking to save singles.  Off his very last ball, however, Mark Irwin scrambled a single through fine leg to claim the result.

This was overall an above par performance by Shipwrecks with both bat 'n' ball.  Man of the Match was Mike Service for his excellent 42 retired.

Scores: Shipwrecks 108 – 7 (Service 42 ret, Worthington 14 ; Elliot 2-20) : Annandale Insurance Kirkmahoe 109 – 7 (Muir 41 ret, Irwin 16 n.o., Elliot 15, Barr 15 ; C. Lumb 3-22)