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.

Shipwrecks Overhaul Juniors

Shipwrecks pulled away to a 2-1 victory in this year's regatta against St Michael's Junior Academy on the green, green (and rather long) grass of Kingholm 2 on Thursday, cruising to a six wicket victory.

Scores: St Michael's Junior Academy 65 - 8 (Holmes 30 ret, Henri 28 ret ; Taylor 3-7) : Shipwrecks 66 - 4 (Mahmood 26 ret, P Raverty 17 n.o.)

Having won the toss, the Juniors quickly lost Barnett, scuttled by McEwan, and the home port side were surprised to see overseas sailor Juan Henri joining Holmes at the oars for the second wicket partnership, the two navigating with more caution than in the previous skirmishes. With no Hutchinson to consign him to the depths, Henri managed to emulate Holmes by taking a maximum but it left the the other youngsters without much of a lifeline.

Pat Raverty plays through point

Taylor and Fallas made key thrusts to eliminate Jack and Moore, the latter superbly caught by Mahmood, and the other batters could only pick up a few extra singles.

In return, John Dougan again unwisely chanced a run to Henri and Service fell to a superb capture by Callum McLaughlin, running backwards off the starboard bow. But some patience from Pat Raverty and some lusty blows and sweet timingfrom Mahmood more or less got the Shipwrecks over the line.

Shipwrecks Drawn in Cup Quarter Final

Following consistent squalls, high tides on the on the Kingholm flood plain wiped out this week's return game against Burgh Boys, meaning neither fixture against them has been fulfilled this season.

Meanwhile the the quarter final matches for the Foster's Midweek League Cup have been revealed. After unadvisedly winning their group, Shipwrecks have been drawn against First Division outfit and cup holders RWS Forestry.  Whether we are to be hung and quartered as well remains to be seen.

Matches will be played on 9th or 10th August.

Explosive Alastair Destroys Juniors' Challenge

Shipwrecks overcame some uneven seas and uneven bounce at the K1 artificial on Wednesday night to win their final Round 1 cup encounter with St Michael's Junior Sailing Academy by 47 runs. Midshipman Alastair McEwan provided the killer thrust with an explosive four wicket haul that claimed key batsmen Henri and Holmes.

Scores:  Shipwrecks 104 - 6 (Service 26, Fallas 25, Taylor 17 n.o. ; Dalling 3-28, Holmes 2-1) : St Michael's Junior Academy 57 all out (Holmes 16, Moore 11, R. McNay 10 ; McEwan 4-18, Hutchinson 3-6, Taylor 3-9)

Although not the epic experienced in the League encounter, it was to be a battle in which the fortunes of war alternated sharply.  As Shipwrecks arrived with only one over the eight, Captain McCuaig wisely elected to bat but he and Mike "Senior Service" were soon struggling, particularly against opening bowling Ross Dalling and only one run - a no ball - was recorded in the first three overs. Dalling went on to dismiss McCuaig and then both of the Raverty brothers (last week's key skirmishers) within the space of just four deliveries.

In a change of fortune Service and Davey Fallas started to hit the boundary as hard as a rip tide and the crew were anticipating a big score as the run rate momentarily hit six an over.  Unfortunately "Pirate of the Caribbean" Tom Holmes dismissed both batters with his first two grenades in only the ninth over.

With only three wickets left, it looked like the Shipwrecks were inescably sinking into Davey Jones locker.  McEwan and Colin Taylor decided the only way forward was to batten down the hatches, resulting in the latter facing eighteen deliveries from Holmes without scoring a run.

Once McEwan went to Dan Turner for seven, Taylor and Chick McKenna drew on their 142 years of

Man of the Match McEwan

seafaring experience to plunder a vital twenty runs off the last couple of overs.

Having finally arrived from shore leave, Andy Hutchinson provided a real shiver-me-timbers moment when he produced a great catch at deep midwicket to dismiss Henri off McEwan for four. Ali then captured the wickets of McNay, Bainbridge to a superb catch by wickie Pat Raverty, and the vital one of the ominous Holmes who ladled a return catch.

Once Hutchinson had taken the ball to end Kieran Moore's last ditch effort, he and Taylor were left to swab up the wickets of the remaining sea scouts and the Juniors' innings foundered in the sixteenth over.

The Captain Morgan Man of the Match Award justifiably went to an alarmed Alastair McEwan for his decisive spell of bowling.

Shipwrecks Steering to Cup Gold?

The Shipwrecks won a victory that Francis Drake would have been proud of at Kingholm Channel on Wednesday, when they repelled the Healthpros' mighty Armada with only eight seaworthy vessels of their own.

Scores: HealthPros 118 for 8 (D Hill 31, Williams 15, Doig 14, Raj 11, Lawrie 10 ; R Raverty 2 for 25, C McKenna 2 for 21) : Shipwrecks 120 for 6 (P Raverty 40 ret, R Raverty 22, Fallas 14 n.o., Mahmood 13)

Close scrutiny of the Shipwrecks' Log suggests that stingy early overs by McEwan and Mahmood battoned down the hatches before relief bowling hands Richard Raverty and Chick McKenna captured their four wickets. For the opposition who were curiously lacking in Strachans, only Hill managed to build up much forward momentum.

Healthpros managed early breakthroughs when Service was run out for 2 and Captain McCuaig wnet for 4.  But from then on it was full steam ahead as the Raverty brothers pitched into the battle without running each other out and Mahmood and Fallas produced good backup rins to clinch the

Richard Raverty batting

contest in the last over.

On balance it was decided to award the Man of the Match to Richard Raverty for his contribution with both bat and ball.

There was less celebration on the Thursday when a reinforced squadron of players landed at Dalton, only to find that the game had been cancelled because of squally conditions.  Apparently a signalling error meant that Dalton's message was not picked up in time for our radio operators to issue an alert.

Incidentally, talk of cup glory is probably in vain as, even if we win the first round division, we would need to overcome one of the top teams in Division 1 to win it.

Shipwrecks Becalm Allstars

The Shipwrecks navigated their way calmly by the Allstars by five wickets in the first round of the Foster's Midweek Cup on Wednesday.  Having less firepower on display than in the League fixture, the Allstars never really got underway on batting first and did not manage a single boundary.

Scores: Galloway Allstars 42 - 5 (Teale 11 ; Cameron 2-9) : Shipwrecks 45 – 5 (Service 13, P. Raverty 10 ; McGrath 3-5)

Things started to go awry when Hamblin Sr. was run out by Taylor's underarm throw and J. McCulloch lobbed a catch to Fallas at mid-off.  Cameron then bowled Ramsay and Mahmood captured the key wicket of McGrath to a sharp caught and bowled, finally cradling the ball in between his forearms.

From there on there was no return passage for the Allstars and Shipwrecks were happy to let them drift quietly to their final total of 42.

In reply, the home team inevitably suffered some damage to the accurate canonballs of McGrath, who again bowled again off a run up of about 20 yards but fortunately it was not necessary to call the Ship's Surgeon.  Mike Service and Pat Raverty struck a couple of lusty blows before McEwan and Mahmood saw the boat in during the twelfth over.

Dougan survives an lbw appeal against McGrath

It had been agreed that the Shipwrecks would bat their full twenty overs to allow both teams some extra target practice, by which stage they had reached 95 - 7 after a couple of late run outs (Mahmood 24, McEwan 16 n.o., Cameron 13)

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 up his camera so the Man of the Match Award goes to home skipper Stuart Byers for handing it in at the bar.

Unchivalrous Shipwrecks

The Shipwrecks unchivalrously put the predominantly female Galloway Allstars to the sword by 37 runs in the latest skirmish at Kingholm 2 last Thursday.

Scores: Shipwrecks 105 - 6 (Fallas 29 ret., Dougan 15, McCuaig 14) : Galloway Allstars 68 - 8 (Teale 27 ret., G Montgomery 26 ret. ; Taylor 2-6, Fallas 2-7, Hutchinson 2-10)

Seafaring tales are full of the past exploits of women pirates like Anne Bonny and Mary Read but unfortunately none were available for selection by the Allstars, who would really have needed maximums from most of their male counterparts to overhaul Shipwrecks' fair to middling 105.

It could have been different. Faced by a breezy attack from G. Montgomery and McGrath, who in particular appeared unaware of the 10 fathom run up rule, Shipwrecks lost both Ravertys and Mahmood for just 10 between them and found themselves becalmed on a paltry 29 at the half way stage.

However Dougan and Captain McCuaig steadied the ship before Davey Fallas fired off a lightning 28.  The Allstars pulled off some fearless stops in the field but a rising tide of extras helped the old salts to a reasonable score.

A solid shot from Fallas

John Dougan goes aerial

Some steady as-you-go bowling from Ali McEwan and Andy Hutchinson pinned down the visitors run rate but it was Man of the Match Davey Fallas who made the crucial breakthrough, beating T. McGrath with one that did not turn (Does he turn any? - Ed.)  For the Allstars, Natalie Hamblin batted sensibly and judged the runs well but Taylor returned with some big in-swingers, the runs dried up and the Allstars were left stranded in the sixties.

Shipwrecks Go Down in Dramatic Last Over

After easy sailing against Burgh Boys in Week 1 when the enemy failed to appear on the horizon, a few practice manoeuvres took place instead in the form of a double wicket competition. A small wager was suggested and pieces of eight thrown in the hat.  Colin Taylor and newcomer Mahmood duly looted the hidden treasure by scoring 35 without loss in their three overs.

Unfortunately, the 'Wrecks next came up against a highly trained and spirited crew of youngsters from St Michael's Junior Academy last Thursday, eventually sinking in the last over after a close tussle.

Scores:

Shipwrecks 96 all out (Hutchinson 25 ret., Mahmood 24, Fallas 12 ; Mikey 3-9, Lynch 2-14, Geddes 2-24) : St Michael’s Junior Academy 97 – 7 (Holmes 27 ret, Moore 27 ret. ; Mahmood 2-9, Hutchinson 2-10)

St Michael’s Junior Academy won by three wickets

Highlights and Low Lights

Having imported several sailors from the former SS Kingholm Meadow, it soon became clear that a common culture had been established as the new crew stumbled towards a decidedly mixed performance as several hands shot themselves in the foot with their bats. Typical Shipwrecks! It's good to see the old traditions preserved.

Richard Raverty is about to dispatch this ball for four - through the midwicket boundary

The innings was held together with a stylish maximum from Andy Hutchinson and a good contribution from Mahmood.  But the turning point of the innings and probably the game came when "Executioner" Oates condemned Davey Fallas on an lbw charge although it looked like the salvo from Geddes would have cleared all three masts.

From then on battle panic took hold, cool was lost and swashbuckling shots failed as the innings was mercifully terminated in the sixteenth over.

It looked like game over when Buccaneer Tom Holmes, having risked an early stumping, proceeded to lose several cannonballs in the long grass.

However the youngsters' South African pro Henri, in his first innings since arrival, went from Golden Hind to golden duck when he mistimed and was beautifully taken by bowler Hutchinson running back from the stumps.

The battle then swung completely as the youngsters tried to fend for themselves and it looked like Shipwrecks might have just done enough to scrape home. But Kieran "Mad Sea Dog" Moore turned the game with some strong late hitting.  Nearly taken in the deep by Taylor in the penultimate over, he lashed two sixes in the last to settle a good game.

News from AGM

The AGM of the Midweek League took place at the Admiralty (aka Nunholm Bar) last night. This is a summary of the main telegraphs to be issued:

• We are once again the only club to behind with League Subscriptions as Club Purser Geoff "Naebeard" Dean is still clinging on to his pieces of eight,
  
• Kingholm Meadow are retiring to the scrapyard and some of their former hands are opting to sign up with us this season. Tremendous news in view of last season's crop of injuries, etc.
  
• Although entitled to avoid relegation Lockerbie have decided to drop to Division 2, which will mean a couple more voyages for us this year as St Michael's Juniors now have an extra crew.
  
• This means some revisions to draft fixtures, but our first encounter looks to be with the Burgh Boys on Thursday 4th May
  
• There was only one minor rule change, allowing cabin boys and girls stationed in S1 and below to bowl from the popping crease to a back foot no-ball rule using a junior ball.  All other League and Cup rules remain the same.
  
• In the Cup, Shipwrecks find themselves in an enlarged elimination group of four.  The other vessels involved in the skirmish are: Healthpros, St Michael's Juniors and Galloway Allstars - thereby increasing the chances that we actually get to play the Allstars for the first time this campaign.

Is now the time to start the annual discussion about a pre-season practice?

Sadie the Goat expects that every man will do his duty!

SHIPWRECKS PLOT A NEW COURSE

At their AGM on Friday in the Riverside Bar the crew members present agreed a new future for Shipwrecks CC.

The meeting was quorate but cabin boy Danny was reported missing presumed lost overboard, the crew agreed a keelhauling was the least he deserved.

The chair for the evening was Naebeard Dean who had taken stock of the provisions afore the meeting, The captain and vice-captain's report became a shaggy dog story of if's,buts, and maybes but crew mates agreed we had a season of calm seas and turbulent storms mixed together ,as ever, for the Shipwrecks.
Special mention was made of the development of the  bowling of Jim (Francis Drake ) Worthington who seemed to master the art even whilst the Shipwrecks were floundering. Despite strenuous efforts by Naebeard his faultless display behind the timbers was not mentioned!

The treasurer (Naebeard again) reported on the need for more booty next year as the cash did not flow adequately this year , although there was a contribution to the grog and ships biscuits later.

The chief blogger reported the  need for a little help/additional input and Naebeard volunteered again!! Those present made very positive comments about Colin's great work with the Ships (B)log thus far.

New crew members  will be sought before the next season of voyages-several seaworthy names were mentioned and a raid on the good ship Thornhill may be made. Others mentioned as hearty fellows were Alan, Connor and the Blackbeard Shabba. Fallas D was agreeable to recruit or Shanghai as many as possible.

Donald was reinstated as captain of the team as he is on a steep learning curve and will be ably assisted by Fallas D and a whole host of crewmen shouting flotsam .

Burser will continue to be Naebeard with enforcement duties ascribed to Mike (Senior) Service.

A bounty of £20 will be paid by each player at the start of the season to avoid needing to collect every week, those who don't wish to pay £20 can continue to pay £2 per voyage, but will be more effectively collected.

A voyage to the far off reaches of the Sea of Mid-Nithsdale will be made to give the crew a run out before the start of next season.

Mike agreed to get information about the Sannox sixes as a tour option next hear. Some of the crew felt a little mal de mer at the thought but agreed to consider it.

The meeting then abandoned ship and headed for the Spice Islands across the road before briefly mooring at the Ship, anchor was not weighed here as they had a poor quality of grog on offer. A return to the Riverside followed where it appeared that some of the crew had either fallen over the side or had been taken by pirates to another place.

All reported to shore bases and arrived safely home, although some appeared wetter than others!!

The Shipwrecks blog will be in dry dock for a while now but should be seaworthy again come the spring.

Shipwrecks Mugged

The Shipwrecks lost their Foster's Mug Final tie against to Healthpros at Nunholm.

On a slippery deck, some poor fielding and early bowling allowed the Healthpros to get off to a strong start through openers Orr and Hill, and although the last ten overs yielded slightly less runs, the only real highlight was a sensational one-handed diving catch by Alasdair McEwen off Andy Cameron to deny Hill a maximum.

Cameron to Williams

After a stuttering start during which they lost three wickets, Shipwrecks maintained a tolerable run rate to make 47 off the first ten overs, but Chamilla and F. Strachan checked their progress in mid-ocean. A clear turning point took place when Davey Fallas was adjudged lbw first ball and turned for the pavilion after closely inspecting the edge of his bat. 

Shipwrecks' chances were clearly fading into the horizon once Mike Lumb called McEwen for a tight single, but Lumb at least established a creditable partnership with last man Andy Cameron to take the Shipwrecks to a vaguely respectable 98-8.

Meanwhile some tampering by Mike Service meant that the electronic scoreboard was showing 123 after the eighteenth over but this was enough to cause only a momentary panic in the opposition ranks.

Afterwards in the Riverside Bar, it was generally agreed that the sea gods had not been in our favour.

Scores: HealthPros 130 for 4 (R Orr 43 retd, D Hill 38, D Strachan 26, M Williams 16 n.o.) : Shipwrecks 98 for 8 (M Lumb 26 n.o., J Dean 22, A Cameron 17 n.o. ; J Doig 3 for 12, F Strachan 2 for 13)
HealthPros won by 32 runs

Blog in Dry Dock

This is just a belated note to say that the Shipwrecks' Blog has been suspended as Writer Colin Taylor has been suffering with a severe bout of scurvy.

Look for it returning next season, if perhaps in a modified and briefer form. There are only so many seafaring puns you can get away with...

Meanwhile congratulations to the lads, who have made it to the Final of the Foster's Mug competition!

Tragedy At Sea

If Wednesday's cup performance was one of the Shipwrecks' better days, Thursday's league fixture against Dalton was one of their worst - a day when everything that could go wrong did go wrong and no amount of maritime puns can do justice to the full horror of the carnage that resulted.

First Mike Lumb had to be dispatched to pick up Danny McBryde at 6.00 pm, with the result that they did not arrive until four overs have been bowled.  So instead of ten men in the field against Dalton's eight batters, there were effectively six as continuing injuries to Colin Taylor and Donald McCuaig limited their mobility in the field. On a murky evening where batting first would have been a clear advantage as well as buying some time to get organised, the toss had of course been lost.

Not only that, opening bowlers Alasdair McEwen and Peter Cooper lapsed into a series of half trackers on the slowest pitch in the League so that the score had rocketed to 44 - 0 as the Dalton openers Steele and Barnard gleefully helped themselves.

Cooper's second two overs did improve, enabling him to bowl the Dalton figurehead, Amanda Creedon who played on first ball and was followed shortly by W. Jack, but Chris Lumb also started poorly with a number of wides before settling down.

Colin Taylor struggled to get to the wicket at all and his first three deliveries were dispatched for four. There was a brief moment of hope when he caught and bowled both Scarfe and Graham-Campbell in quick succession, the former with a particularly good catch.

At this stage there was still a possibility that the game could be brought back in control, but it was effectively lost when Davey Davidson was dropped with the score on 79. Shipwrecks contrived to drop him twice more as he piled on the runs with Richmond and the returning Creedon, who wittily remarked that she would be keeping her legs together in future.  Davidson was eventually very well taken by Chris Lumb at cover but by now the damage had been done.

Although there were plenty of runs to be had on a fast outfield, Dalton's 138 already looked an unlikely target.  Sid Oates and Danny McBryde made a slow start, amassing 10 off four overs as McBryde ran two short runs.  Both were quickly bowled by Davidson in his first over. The same bowler eventually accounted for Chris Lumb, who top scored with 17 after looking promising.

A little before that Richmond removed Mike Service, who had already clouted a couple of boundaries, with his first ball and Mike Lumb with his second.  There was some resistance from Cooper, Jim Worthington and McCuaig but McEwen capped a poor night by getting out for four and Taylor was the second to record a golden duck.  By this time anyway, Shipwrecks hopes of retaining their unbeaten League record had subsided far beyond the darkening horizon.

Home advantage on a pitch like Dalton is an important factor but Shipwrecks were completely out of sorts and, for the most, played like a team suffering from jetlag.

Scores: Dalton 138 -7 (Richmond 28 ret, Barnard 25 ret, Steele 25 ret, Davidson 22, Scarfe 12 ; Connor 2-22, Taylor 2-32) : Shipwrecks 88 – 8 (C. Lumb 17, Worthington 11 n.o., Connor 11 ; Davidson 3-16)