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.