Shipwrecks Win Early Skirmish

Shipwrecks notched up their first victory of the new Midweek League campaign when they overcame the Burgh Boys on Tuesday. It was a pleasant during a temporary outburst of fine weather - so much so that it was no longer necessary to use a boat to reach Kingholm 2, which had virtually dried out apart from a few remaining mudflats.  The boundary was however curtailed by an abandoned earthworks in memory of St Michael's former ground at the allotment end.

Following a revolutionary putsch a la "Battleship Potemkin", no-one knows who the team captain is so Ally McEwen was dispatched by the Revolutionary Council to make the toss.  Whatever the result, Burgh Boys' fleet of Collingwoods and Flacks ended up batting first. Peter Harrison opened up with a couple of shipshape, nifty overs and claimed an early wicket as did Alastair McEwen when Henderson edged to give Kelvin Maxwell his first ever catch behind the sticks. 

Mystery bowler Sarosh, floating the ball down from half-mast height, tricked Ben Flack into a false shot which Taylor picked out of the air at gulley to put Burgh Boys in some trouble. Victor Collingwood and Carmichael steadied the ship for a time until Maxwell hung on to another fine edge off Sarosh to the amazement of the fielding team.

Aiden Collingwood took a swipe at one of Dean's juicy spinners but Harrison took a fine low catch at wide mid-on and Taylor, switching ends at last found some aerial movement to dismiss V. Collingwood and

McCuaig and Dean -
the winning partnership

Flack in successive balls. McEwen and Harrison returned to finish the innings off on 58.

Tight bowling by Ben Flack and Aiden Collingwood meant Worthington and Oates were under the weather for a while but both batted sensibly and picked up runs steadily.  Worthington was relieved by McCuaig after being bowled by Collingwood, and the new batsman put together a steady shift to hold the innings together with 13 not out.  After being hit in the chest by a riser from Flack, Oates connected with a couple of characteristic shots and Harrison followed him with some classy efforts before trying to launch V. Collingwood into the heavens and missing.

It was then left to Geoff Dean to finish an enjoyable encounter by hoisting a lofty blow up the embankment in the fourteenth over, after which he quickly removed the stumps in celebration (see above).

Scores: Burgh Boys 58 all out (V. Collingwood 19, Carmichael 11 ; McEwen 3-9, Harrison 2-6, Sarosh 2-8, Taylor 2-23) : Shipwrecks 62 -3 (McCuaig 13 not out, Oates 13, Harrison 11, Dean 10 not out)

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)

Stand By For Action

An urgent semaphore message from Rear Admiral Dean was recently received to indicate that we are resuming hostilities against Nunholm Hybrids next Wednesday (Mayday!).  All hands should report on deck at the enemy port before 18.15 hours for inspection. Extra provisions are being loaded at The Ship Inn for the post-match celebrations/commiserations.

In the unlikely event that you have a) not received your call up papers or b) know someone else who would like to join the party play for us, please get in contact with Geoff (07712666794) immediately and he will welcome you aboard.

A recent outbreak of scurvy and desertions has left us with a reduced crew, so basically we need everyone we can get.

The Ship Inn expects that everyone will do their duty... and have at least one drink after the game.

Scoff Off

For those that had not already gathered, the AGM planned for 8th March did not take place, as our esteemed Leader Geoff Dean was called away to a secret assignment at Smugglers' Cove on the same evening and will presumably return laden with booty.

The fatted calf has therefore been given a reprieve and will now not be slaughtered until after Easter.  Hopefully this will be some consolation to crew members who are surviving on a diet of hard tack and Pursers' Rum.

AGM - Advance Warning!

Shipwrecks in AGM Training

For those who do not own a mobile phone (or have lost it), there has been an urgent semaphore transmission from our Hon. Purser, Geoff Dean concerning the details of this year's AGM:

Date:  Friday 8th March
Time: 19.30 hours (approx)
Location: The Ship Inn, Dumfries

As usual the AGM will be followed by a subsidised meal at a mystery location and a lengthy odyssey taking in various coastal hostelries.

Geoff also requests that all hands reaffirm their unswerving loyalty to the Shipwrecks' cause by agreeing to play again for the coming season.

Note: Being under age is no excuse for not attending the AGM as The Ship has a licence that allows juniors on the premises.

Shipwrecks Win Something!

Hot news from the world of pub quizzery: Last night witnessed a major upset when the Shipwrecks outfit came out tops of the Ship Inn pub quiz, astounding the bookies and bringing back vague memories of our double winning season on the field in 2004.

Less charitable participants claimed that the team had breached quiz rules by fielding five players instead of four, but those familiar with the Club will of course realise that this was just down to the usual disorganisation and remember all those occasions when we have turned up for games overmanned or short-staffed.

The hastily assembled squad of Colin Taylor, John McMillan, Donald McCuiag, Sid Oates and Jim Worthington all performed creditably on the night, amassing a total of 73 which compares favourably with some of our less auspicious cricket totals. Key moments in the quiz, besides gaining an amazing 22/25 in the music round,  were remembering the name of a hurling stick, Lord Rockingham XI's 1958 hit, the oldest whisky distillery in the world and Ronald Reagan's middle name, all of which were answered successfully.

The first prize of £20 was donated by unanimous consent of team members to club funds to help cover the heavy cost of the forthcoming AGM celebrations.

Whether we can maintain this sort of form when the season starts is another matter.

Anyone For Pre Season Training?

St Michael's are offering a one hour net practice session for all players interested in playing in their weekend side this summer - confident that the swamps and navigation channel on the way to Kingholm 2 will have been converted into something ressembling the Centre Court at Wimbledon by Mayday.

This seems like an excellent opportunity for us to sneak in some practice manoeuvres before the renewal of hostilities in the Midweek League.  The session will take place on Tuesday 19th February between 8.00 and 9.00 pm. at the Academy Sports Hall and any keenies could presumably progress to Saints' Sunday sessions throughout March.

This is also the time to start pressganging any would-be players who have some inkling of the game of cricket, so please send the details of any you have captured so far to Geoff.