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.

Shipwrecks On The Rum

Official communications from the Admiralty (aka Geoff Dean) today revealed that the Shipwrecks have once again revived from their winter voyage and are reporting fit and well for the new season.

Scene from past AGM

Many have also selflessly volunteered to take part in the so-called AGM, which takes place at seven bells in the Ship Inn, St Michael's Street, Dumfries on Friday 20th March, when frequent visits to the rum barrel will be briefly interrupted by a visit to the Captain's Table at a yet-to-be-revealed local eatery.

First-time sailors should come prepared for a lengthy trip.  On one occasion in the 'noughties, the so-called AGM lasted two days when our then figure-head, John McMillan, omitted to declare the meeting closed until 3.00 a.m. in the bar after the night club.

Shipwrecks are always looking to press gang new players. To avoid any resulting unpleasantness, all prospective old hands or young bloods looking for a game of beach cricket in the Dumfries Midweek League should contact Geoff Dean on 07825619718

Shipwrecks Plumb The Depths

Shipwrecks failed to do their duty in the Midweek Cup Quarter Final, losing against Lockerbie at the Kingholm on Thursday.  But for the first time in the current campaign, the performance was at such a low level that the result was in little doubt after the first quarter of the game.

Having elected to bat first, Donald McCuaig and Jim Worthington made a slow but steady start for only 28 off first eight overs before Worthington, becalmed on 3, was run out shortly to be followed by Danny McBryde in like manner and McCuaig - eventually bowled by Gracie, whose away swing proved troublesome when on target.

This heralded a middle order collapse as Alex Taylor and Davey Fallas were bowled in successive deliveries. After Geoff Dean was extremely well caught off his own bowling by Gracie for 10, who then had Mike Service very lbw, Colin Taylor and Alasdair McEwen scratched around until McEwen hit a couple of

Skipper McEwan -
not best pleased

decent shots off Jamie Crawford in the eighteenth over.  Shipwrecks finally docked at 75 - 7 after recording no retirals and only three boundaries.

It was never likely to be enough and Lockerbie quickly knocked off the runs inside 12 overs, Dean's opening three overs having conceded 25.  Alasdair McEwan, although struggling with a back strain managed to pick up the only two wickets to fall in addition to his top-scoring 17 not out, but did not seem overjoyed to be nominated by officers and men as the Man of the Match.

Scores: Shipwrecks 75 - 7 (McEwan 17 n.o., McCuaig 12, Dean 10 ; Gacie 3 - 16, A. Veitch 2-9) : Lockerbie 76 - 2 (R. Crawford 27 n.o., S. Crawford 20 n.o. ; McEwan 2-14)

This was an unfortunate finish to an unlucky season, when Shipwrecks ended up second in the League because of the rainoff against J. Walker & Sons last week, having failed to play Burgh Boys and let only fielded a full team in three of the ten fixtures that were played.

Not just any pork scratchings...

Perhaps most tellingly they ended with four long-term injuries to the sqaud and Lockerbie off the hook in the home League fixture.

In a lighter vein, it has been noted that Mr Porky's Pork Scratchings are no longer available in The Ship Inn, having been replaced by what at first apears to be a more up-market offering, M. S. Pork Scratchings. However on closer inspection, it seems that M. S. stands for "Midland Supplies".

With the season effectively over, Shipwrecks have only possible friendlies, tour rumours and the so-called AGM to look forward to.

Shipwrecks Haulted Mid-Voyage

Shipwrecks' final League game against the J. Walker & Son haulk (St Michael's Youth) was diverted onto Kingholm 1 after their home strip was commandeered by pirates last Thursday.

Lieutenant Geoff Dean won the toss and chose to bat against a strengthened Juniors' team, including former

Donald McCuaig retires

Shipwrecks Peter Harrison and Kevin Kirkpatrick.  Mike Service and Donald McCuaig struggled against the pace of weekender Tom Holmes, who eventually bowled Service for 5 before Alex Taylor nervily hoisted one to Saints pro Thapar in the covers.  Fallas then took slightly longer than usual to run up his 25 not out, but the innings maintained forward momentum as Dean and McCuaig plundered maximum runs from the younger bowlers.

On his first trip of the season, Jason Hall also cleared the decks several times succeeding Dean and a volley of runs came off the last over when he and Colin Taylor ran a chancy two overthrows off the last ball to raise the nominal home team's flag to 130 - 2.

The usual storm of big sixes followed from Dario Cummings, who nearly demolished the Pavilion, and Holmes, the latter turning down half a dozen singles before launching his last effort. This ball was actually very well caught by Mike Service but he was unfortunately standing on the boundary line.

In the meantime, Alex Taylor had caught Lynch off the bowling of Bowie and Taylor C. bowled Kirkpatrick and Harshit Morisetty in successive deliveries before a nasty squall sent the players scuttling from the pitch with the innings interestingly poised at 70 - 3 after 9.1 overs. Once the rain eased at 8.40 p.m., the Captains agreed to abandon it as a draw.

In the Ship Inn afterwards, it was generally agreed that Shipwrecks would probably have won, as the Juniors only had Thapar of the big hitters still at the crease.

Donald McCuaig was nominated Man of the Match for surviving early pressure to record a solid retiral.

Scores: Shipwrecks 130 - 2 (Dean 27 n.o., McCuaig 25 n.o., Fallas 25 n.o., Hall 22 n.o.; Holmes 2-8) : J. Walker & Son 70 - 3 (Holmes 30 n.o., Cummings 26 n.o. ; C. Taylor 2-14)

Shipwrecks On Course

Shipwrecks latest fixture against the Healthpros was played in Caribbean conditions at Kingholm II on Thursday, when they navigated a precise course to victory to overcome a late fightback by the visitors.

Alasdair McEwan was surprised to be asked to bat first by an understrength opposition in thirsty conditions. After a solid start from Jim Worthington and Donald McCuaig, Alex Taylor went full steam ahead aiming

Donald McCuaig gets one away behind square off Doig early in the innings

some lusty blows before being joined by Davey Fallas for his habitual typhoon maximum, including three sixes despatched seaward.  Initially out of touch, Geoff Dean knuckled down in similar vein with an impressive six off Kirsty Strachan, leaving time once Taylor retired to run Sarosh out as well as himself for 24 before the 'Wrecks innings disembarked on 114 - 6.

Meanwhile Mike Service - fatally undecided between attack and defence - and Colin Taylor - sliced a wide onto his own stumps - had been left behind to mutter a few choice naval curses on the boundary and Danny McBryde recorded a proud 1 not out.

Still in bright sunshine, Healthpros' Learie and Morisetty made a breezy start against Taylor (Sr.) and McEwan, testing out the sea legs of the older sailors with some sharp singles from the off.  But a neat spell of spin from Fallas halted the doctors' progress and, once McEwan bowled Learie, the introduction of the very tall Sarosh again caused bamboozlement as he lobbed a series of grenades down onto the pitch from about mast high to dismiss both McKinnel and Williams.

Shipwrecks' fielding also tightened up and Donald McCuaig took two outstanding catches at point - all the more impressive as, although shunning the traditional black patch, he is still recovering from a recent eye operation.  Then McEwan hit the stumps with a brilliant throw from about 30 yards to finally run out Morisetty.

MoM Alex Taylor -
Nice T shirt!

Considerably ahead on run rate but short of a fifth bowler, McEwan reluctantly called on legspinner Dean, who bowled a series of wides down the channel of total incredulity before yorking David Strachan with a much faster surprise delivery. Kirsty Strachan was run out soon after but Mutthiah and the returning Learie hit out across the line against the returning opening bowlers, and only six was needed when McEwan produced a dot ball off the last delivery.

So it all went to plan - sort of. The Berghain Man of the Match Award went to Alex Taylor for his important innings, finishing with a straight six.

Scores:  Shipwrecks 114 - 6 (A. Taylor 28 n.o., Fallas 26 n.o., Dean 24, McBryde 1 n.o.) : Healthpros 108 - 7 (Learie 13 & 12 n.o., D. Strachan 20, Morisetty 18 ; Sarosh 2-10)

Cup Dreams For Walking Wounded

Shipwrecks' controversial last round cup success has justified Petty Officer Dean's speculations on the night as a recent telex confirms that we have unfortunately progressed into the Sulwath Brewers' Cup through the repechage system, rather than the Shield, in which we would have strongly fancied our chances.

Preparing for next Shipwrecks' game - the scene below deck at Sulwath Brewers

Ironically we have also been drawn against Lockerbie at Lockerbie, so a repeat of last week's canoe race (see post below) looms on 6th August. Meanwhile, Derek "Shabba" Rankine has reported unfit with a broken finger during net practice, making the ship's injury list even more formidable.

Ship's surgeon Donald McCuaig is working flat out in the hope that at least two of the current long-term casualties, which also include Sid Oates, Chris Lumb and Mike Lumb, are fit to sail to Lockerbie.

This has been an unprecedented outburst of major injuries and our best wishes go out to all those affected.

Meanwhile, the remaining crew managed to pull off a six run victory against the Healthpros on Thursday, which alarmingly hauls us up to equal first place in Division II (full match report to follow soon).

Skeleton Crew Buried

Depleted once more by long-term illnesses, Shipwrecks could only manage to send a coxless eight out for the away fixture at Lockerbie on Thursday.  The home team themselves mustered just nine hands but superior batting strength eventually gave them a comfortable victory by seven lengths.

Condemned to bat first on the bouncy new Lockerbie wicket and moderately fast outfield, Shipwrecks nevertheless performed creditably in the Caribbean evening sunshine.  Donald McCuaig, promoted up the order by necessity was the only crew member to lose his wicket as Shipwrecks notched a reasonable target of 98 - 1 after a steady-as-you-go first few overs.

Take That! - Fallas In Brutal Mood

Jim Worthington discovered some nice legside shots to retire on 26 (including four 4s!) and was replaced by Davey Fallas, who lashed the ball around in brutal fashion for another 26 retired in only nine deliveries. Mike Service meanwhile played an uncharacteristic anchor role while Colin Taylor eventually knotted together another slightly fortuitous 25 not out, leaving Skipper McEwan to face the last ball of the innings and bring the total to a respectable 98 - 1.

Unfortunately, the bowling was not as tight as usual. The six outfielders looked like small yachts in a large ocean as Lockerbie openers Ross Crawford and (Ship's?) Carpenter launched rockets towards the horizon. Eventually Carpenter shaved one from Fallas to 'keeper Service who duly clung on.

But unfortunately all gunners deployed by the Shipwrecks went for more than six an over except for Taylor,

Mike "hands of glue" Service

who captured left-hander Bray with one that nipped away and Service did the honours once more to clinch the Velcro Man Of the Match Award.

More sharp work from the wicket keeper accounted for Stevie Crawford, when Service threw down the bowler's end wicket at ten paces with the batsman still strolling on deck.  However, further flurries from Andy Veitch and Graine, although nearly bamboozled by Sarosh on a couple of occasions, meant that Lockerbie got home with more than five overs to spare.

Future navigators might like to note that it is important to take a full squad to Lockerbie, where most wickets are likely to fall to catches due to the nature of the wicket, which pretty much takes bowled and lbw out of the game. However the real losers were those who could not play in what was a very pleasant game on a lovely evening - just right for a sea cruise.

Scores: Shipwrecks 98 - 1 (Worthington 26 n.o., Fallas 26 n.o., Taylor 25 n.o., Service 13 n.o.) : Lockerbie 99 - 3 (R. Crawford 25 n.o., A. Veitch 24 n.o., Carpenter 17)