Shipwrecks Stumble on Hidden Treasure

On Thursday Shipwrecks were eventually adjudged winners (see previous post) after crossing the line equal with Nunholm Colts on a mudflat of a pitch which contrasted strongly with the fast-running surface usually found up the river.

This actually made for quite an interesting tie as strokes that would normally have sailed away for four were left struggling in the foam at the edge of the boundary.  But apart from increasingly Able Seaman Chris Lumb, it was a night when Shipwrecks were often their own worst enemies.

Having won the toss but with players still to arrive, Skipper Donald McCuaig decided to bat and donned the pads to open the innings with Mike Service.  What happened was not reminiscent of a graceful ocean liner pulling away in the breeze, more like a tug trying to free itself from a sandbank as neither player managed to score well against accurate bowling from Lewis and especially Sam Thornely. McCuaig edged behind for 4 in the fifth over and Service struggled on to 14 accompanied by some skylarking from Danny McBryde before he was bowled by Lewis' last delivery.

Man of Match - Chris Lumb

Chris Lumb immediately went on the attack and advanced his team's cause considerably with a quick 25 and once McBryde had hit one in the air off Malik, there was the chance to restore order on board through Jason Hall and Alasdair McEwan.

At this point the sea-gods did not favour the Shipwrecks as Hall was luckily caught when a parried shot fell nicely to be recaptured by square leg, and then McEwan played a full toss firmly to leg but not hard enough to defeat sweeper Thornely.

After Lumb retired rookies Danny Davison and Alvin Dunn were unsure when to run and spurned several opportunities, which incidentally was the case for much of the Shipwrecks innings.  Oldsters Taylor and Mike Lumb were left with the task of trying to scrape a few runs in the last three overs and the ship's surgeon was on emergency standby when they ran a five from a double overthrow off Lyburn.  Bad luck once again played its part when Lumb then was run out by a throw that ricochetted onto the stumps off the bowler's legs.

Shipwrecks had struggled to 99 - 9.

McEwan and Chris Lumb opened the bowling with some tight overs and Lumb found a beauty to splice the mainbrace of the threatening Black in an excellent 1-4. Lyburn plodded to a maximum and Malik produced some fine shots but Dunn and Hall kept the tiller under control until the 17th over as Thornely struggled to make effective contact in worsening conditions.

Unfortunately a stiff Taylor and a rusty Davison, entrusted with the last four overs with nearly thirty needed produced a series of wides that let the Colts back into the game. Although Davison bowled Thornely the last ball went down with the totals even and it took a run out to stop the home team reaching the target.  At which point the technicalities started and it eventually emerged that an ineligible player was at the crease for Nunholm - but not before an extensive post mortem had been held in The Riverside Bar by Shipwrecks High Command who at that point thought they had lost.

Undisputed Man of the Match was Chris Lumb for his all round contribution.

Scores: Shipwrecks 99 – 9 (C. Lumb 25 ret., Service 14 ; Hussein 2-8, Lyburn 2-15, Lewis 2-20) : Dumfries Colts 99 – 7 (Malik 26 ret., Lyburn 25 ret., Thornely 13)
Dumfries Colts forfeited game for fielding an ineligible player.

Tied?... Lost?... Won!

The outcome of most sea battles is usually clearcut, but not so Shipwrecks' encounter with Dumfries Colts at Nunholm last night.

The game finished tied after Nunholm made 99 -7 in answer to 99 - 9 by the Shipwrecks, most of whom thought the game tied. According to League Rules however, tied games are won by the team losing less wickets, so a victory to the young horses seemed the right result.

But this morning an urgent semaphore from Colts' Skipper Sam Thornely was received forfeiting the game as the youngster who came in in the last over was not eligible to take part.

Tributes are due to Colts' Capt. Thornely for conceding the fixture as all those hands on watch duty had their eyes fixed firmly on The Riverside and did not notice anything untoward.

A full report will follow over the weekend as the Ship's writer is out dancing the hornpipe tonight.

Shipwrecks Come Unstuck

Geoff Dean facing in the first over

Shipwrecks went down after a bright start versus Nunholm Colts last Wednesday evening in what may or may not have been the first League game of the season, as there have been signs that the Colts, who frequently crossbreed with Annandale Insurance, are just playing friendlies this year.

Having presumably won the toss, Geoff Dean and Mike Service opened against a depleted home crew and moved the total forward nicely for the first three or four overs, until Mike holed out for 13 .  Unfortunately, things deteriorated after that point.  Sid Oates started well before he was bowled and Dean mistimed a full toss to square leg, having perhaps unwisely given the Colts permission to recruit D. Strachan in mid-voyage.

Taylor was clearly out of form and newcomer Sarosh couldn't get runs but couldn't get out either.  It was left to another new hand, Peter Harrison, who renews the Shipwrecks almost forgotten affiliation with the teaching profession, to steady the ship with a measured innings of 26 not out.  After a couple of decent blows by McEwen and Maxwell but a rather laid back aproach to the last three overs, Shipwrecks were eventually becalmed on 84 - 7.

Harrison also provided the best bowling on the restart when he trapped the Nunholm opener lbw in the first over and soon snared Strachan Jr. caught and bowled.  Momentarily the Shipwrecks flag flew high but it was not to last as Brotherston, Walker and D. Strachan (see earlier) picked off the runs with some ease.

The only other high spot for the 'Wrecks - apart from turning up with almost a full team - was a creditable performance by Kelvin Maxwell behind the stumps.

Scores: Shipwrecks 84 -7 (Harrison 26 not out, Service 13, Dean 11) : Nunholm Colts 85 - 3 (Harrison 2-14)