Shipwrecks Suffer Engine Failure

Once again a lack of adequate charts is hampering the maintenance of the Ship's Log of the second half of Shipwrecks' latest voyage.  This time it had been supposed that Dumfries Colts were maintaining our scorebook, which proved to be not correct. Suffice it to say that Shipwrecks went down by about three wickets to the Colts after the batting acceleration achieved against Burgh Boys last week distinctly failed to kick in.

Slow progress was understandable at first as Mike Lumb and Danny McBryde faced an accurate attack from Sam Thornley and Nunholm's unknown Aussie Pro. During this phase the most notable event was the invention of a new defensive shot to the leg-side wide by McBryde, unfortunately for no runs.

Definitely Not in the Coaching Manual - Danny's New Shot

Both openers were eventually bowled trying to get a head of steam up, Lumb playing on unluckily from well wide of the stumps. Donald McCuaig then played some neat shots in his not out but could not reach the boundary while Alex Taylor, looking seriously out of form against the variable bowling, could not find his sea legs at all.  By the time the innings was half over, Shipwrecks were still foundering in the forties.

As the breeze turned even cooler Davey Fallas typically managed to dispatch a few salvos towards the Arctic Circle, but Shipwrecks failed to get their other hitters into battle early enough and finshed on 105 - 3, well short of par for the Nunholm course.

After a lively start Fallas broke through the Nunholm opening partnership, which however only brought unknown Aussie Pro to the crease to lash all bowlers unmercilesly around the ground for a high speed retiral.  From then on defeat looked the likeliest outcome but a couple of wickets from Andy Cameron brought the junior Colts up on deck and Shipwrecks were able to put the anchors on the run rate.

With Thornley still needing to wield the heavy blade, Colin Taylor's swing produced a couple more wickets and a run out in the last few overs to leave faint hopes of a miraculous rally.  He should have had a third when he induced a false shot from Thornley, only to spill the resulting gentle caught and bowled as the batsmen paddled home for the winning run.

Overall, not a good day in the wheel room for the Shipwrecks.

Incomplete Scores: Shipwrecks 105 – 3 (Fallas 27 ret., McCuaig 23 n.o., Lumb 18, McBryde 13) : Dumfries Colts  106 - 7 (C. Taylor 2-8)

Shipwrecks' Maiden Victory

The Shipwrecks charted their first victory of the 2015 season at a breezy Kingholm Park on Thursday evening. Victory came thanks to a hearty batting performance delivering 144 - 3, one of the highest Shipwrecks tallies since nautical records began.

Batting first, Mike Lumb and Donald McCuaig pirated four runs from the first over before the latter was bowled by a good'un from Aidan Collingwood, who then nearly disposed of Alex Taylor with a yorker.  Lumb and Taylor then built a steady partnership. Lumb looked increasingly in control and

Top Scorers - Lumb and Fallas

started to play some firm shots, finishing on 28 retired after a couple of late sixes. Struggling for form, Taylor adopted a "hit out or get out" policy and was obligingly dropped by the Burgh Boys half a dozen times before a catch finally stuck when he was on 23.

Both left the field in quick succession and, after Jason Hall departed early, there was still a need to increase the knots when Colin Taylor joined Davey Fallas with about six overs to come. Fortunately Fallas succeeding in propelling a typical series of missile launches on the legside before retiring and Mike "Senior" Service continued the assault, hitting his first ever six and following with another shortly afterwards.  Meanwhile elder Taylor scuttled round the decks in the normal manner for another not out.

At this point records of the conflict become hazy as we neglected to get a look at the Burgh Boys log book before they retreated sharply in the face of the chill wind after the game.

Shipwrecks fielding display did not start brilliantly when wicketkeeper Lumb was struck by friendly fire - a grenade lobbed by Taylor (Sr.) with untypical accuracy to hit him just above the left eye while he was arguing a point of naval etiquette with the umpire.

A notable asset in the covers was new recruit Nerea Ferrando, who was recently conscripted off the Spanish Main by deckhand Danny McBride. Nerea attacked every ball with gusto and impressed High Command with the power of her throwing, which nearly caused a run out. Suitably inspired, the old lags caught everything going including a nice take by Lumb standing up and seemingly unaffacted by his earlier wound apart from a bruise the size of a grapeshot.

Meanwhile some good accurate bowling, notably from Fallas and left-armers Andy Cameron and Hall meant Shipwrecks were always in control.

For the Burgh Boys, Ben Flack was unfortunate to be last out off the last ball of the innings from Hall when on for a maximum.

Very Approximate Scores: 

Shipwrecks 144 - 3 (Lumb 28 ret., Fallas 25 ret., A. Taylor 23, Service 22 n.o., C. Taylor 12 n.o) : Burgh Boys ?? all out (B. Flack 2? ; sorry no bowling figures)

Shipwrecks Relaunch

Although still without a home port and watering hole, Shipwrecks take to the water again this Thursday (7th May) for their first Midweek League fixture against Burgh Boys.

Needless to say the pre-season seamanship exercise and practice voyage proposed at the AGM have come to nothing so it's straight into action with cannons blazing and cutlasses unsheathed.

All hands have been asked to report their availability to Cap'n Dean before polling day.

All Hands To Battle Stations!

In direct contravention to the Shipwrecks' Constitution, Commodore Dean has called a practice (!?) to take place at Kingholm Slipway this Sunday (26th April) between 10 and 12 bells.

This will be a full-scale drill of battle tactics in preparation for the resumption of hostilities in the Dumfries Midweek League on 7th May, when it is hoped to overthrow the current government.

We will however not be able to set sail on Sunday unless there are enough hands to man the rigging. All old and new sailors should contact Geoff to let him know if they are fit for duty.

Shipwrecks' Honour Impugned!

Not mentioned in the recent sober account of the Midweek League AGM was the fact that Treasurer Everett Jeffrey (ironically himself a Shipwreck) repeatedly accused the seafarers of not having paid their League subscription for the past two years and described them as "bad debtors".

Shipwrecks' Purser Geoff Dean has however issued an angry communiqué  to state that all appropriate charges (including harbour fees) have been paid up in full.

The Only Answer?

Part of the ensuing diplomatic row may be based on a misunderstanding in that the Shipwrecks, understandably aware of the risky nature of maritime trade, have historically paid the League in arrears, and then only on sight of a full and accurate bill of lading.  But there remains a clear factual dispute over the payments made over the past ten months and only one way in which our honour can be satisfied - flintlocks at ten paces.

Otherwise people will say we're just a band of pirates!

Midweek League AGM - Highlights and Lowlights

The AGM was held in the mess bar at Nunholm last night.

The main things to emerge were:

League Format

There will still be two six-team Leagues playing on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Teams and fixtures in each will be exactly the same as in 2014. From this season one-up, one-down promotion and relegation will apply unless both teams involved do not wish to change.

Fixtures will commence from 6th and 7th May (hopefully no Shipwrecks are on Polling Station duty for the Election).

The Cup

Will be played according to last season's format, which was felt to be successful.  We were drawn with Lockerbie and Dumfries Juniors for the mini-League stage.

The Rules

It was agreed to stick with the ruling that the first three batsmen in a side may not bowl.  The only exception to this is where only seven players are present, in which case No. 3 may bowl.

However there were some notable rule changes in other areas:-

• On a vote, it was decided to return to a maximum of four overs per bowler, although the batting captain can agree in exceptional circumstances to relax this requirement.
  
• Teams who have not paid their League fees by 1st June will be deducted five points.  Non-payment by 1st July brings a further 5 point deduction.  Trophies will not be awarded to teams who have not paid their entry fees. (Memo to Ship's purser needed)
  
• It was agreed that players can only represent one team (including Cup competitions) unless they are Under 15s. A side transgressing this rule will forfeit the fixture in question. Presumably MCC Laws on age criteria will apply. (Memo to Skipper: this could affect us, better have a word with a couple of folk.)

It was also emphasised that the toss is scheduled for 6.10 p.m. and if no representative of a team is available at that time, they will be deemed to have lost the toss. This is not a change but an enforcement of an existing rule in the hope of getting games started earlier.

Shipwrecks Cast Adrift

Shipwrecks pre-season preparations were badly thrown off course by the news that their home port, The Ship Inn, has itself been decommissioned pending extensive refit.

Last Friday Shipwrecks' AGM therefore had to take place in the unfamiliar surroundings of the Snug Room in the Hole in the Wa' before proceeding to the Captain's Table at Daksh Indian Restaurant, where some star players were sprayed with Cobra Beer by over-enthusiastic fans.

Temporarily Closed for Refurbishment?

The local CAMRA website suggests that The Ship is "temporarily closed for refurbishment" but the word on the poop deck is that it has been acquired by an 'investment company' who intend to convert it into a so-called 'theme pub'.  It is not clear whether this outfit will be prepared to finance further voyages of discovery from the Kingholm, or indeed how far they will match up to our demanding ethical standards. So the Shipwrecks may need to find an alternative source of booty as well as a home port.

In an exclusive interview with "Saucy Sailor" magazine last week, Geoff Dean said: "Aye, aye me hearty, will keep a look out for it. If not afloat we will reharbour elsewhere."

Meantime the full minutes of the AGM are being transmitted by semaphore as we speak and will be published here when they arrive in a month's time.  The Midweek League AGM looks to be on 2nd April, so please flag up any issues with our designated attache, Colin Taylor.