After the Lord Mayor’s Show

Sunday June 6th 2018 saw the 2nd fixture in two days of two of the prominent City Centre Clubs – AGSFP’s and The Mighty Portcullis.

The fixture was a very different style- a SPCU R&D North fixture. Portcullis packed their side with their wanabees – the players who just love to play cricket. The Rubislaw XI bizarrely wanted to do the same, and in a way they did. The AGSFP’s committing to the fixture, however with a lack of juniors they had to rely on some seniors to make up the numbers.

Oh the luxury!

This result was never in doubt. Both sides having to field mismatched sides to complete the fixture. It was still a cracking game of cricket!

The skippers – Paul Norwood of Rubislaw XI and the Greatest Ever Portcullisian ever to draw breath -(and Captain for the day) Bob Adie – decide the game would be best played in 35/35 rather than a T20/20.

Such is the joy of a R& D fixture!

What can we say what happened next?

The Rubislaw XI’s innings finished on 220- 7(8). They were fine knocks for the Rubislaw Rockets by Mike Nattrass who scored 44 with seven fours and a six. He was cruising to a 50 when he got out in the grimmest of ways. Sam Knudsen struck a full delivery from the bowling of Andy Philip. Philip tried to trap the ball with his right foot to stop it passing him at pace. However his touch was both poor and tragic – the ball spinning off his foot and onto the non-striker’s stumps for the most unfortunate of dismissals.

It really was the crappiest run out I have ever experienced.

Sam Knudsen himself retired on 44. Graeme Stuart started a fine all-round display with a knock of 39 before being bowled by Richard Collinson. D. Russell had a quick-fire 42. His last four balls were 444W- Falconer ultimately buying a wicket.

Collinson captured a second wicket by bowling Alvi, debutant Rowan Stuart took two fine wickets in a promising bowling spell bowling Norwood for 10 and trapping Farhan lbw. The other wicket of the day went to Andy Phillip bowling Fahzan.

The not out batsmen were Simon Winstanley with 7 not out and Roland Knudsen 4 not out.

Despite the onslaught there was still time for a little humour. A homage to ex-Portcullisian Simon Winstanley was made when he faced his first delivery. A ‘special’ field was set up in his honour. Jake Dawson was in the covers whilst Toby Williams kept wicket. With Andy Philip still bowling the other 8 fielders went to deep square leg and deep mid-wicket! We were not sure if the cheeky tribute was accepted in the manner it was meant. After that delivery we went back to normal.

AGSFP’s finished on 220-7 after their 35 overs.

Tea was taken and then it was the turn of Portcullis to post their reply.

It was a bit ridiculous an ask for Portcullis to chase down a 200+ plus score again and it was never going to happen.

In reply they got to 80 thanks to some rolling wickets and knocks by Richard Collinson (22), Andrew Blackwell (10) and Ronnie Falconer (10). Collinson and Falconer enjoyed a fine partnership of 35 for the ninth wicket. Although Rubislaw bowled very well, the Portcullis batting display ws a little disappointing. They were never going to chase down the total but are capable of posting a better batting display thank they did.

For Rubislaw Farhan lead the way with 4-9 – he took his fifth wicket with a rolling wicket. Alvi finished with 2-8 whilst there were wickets for Roland Knudsen, M. Fahzan, M. Nattrass and G. Stuart. Portcullis finally threw in the towel in the 32nd over. It was the cricketing equivalent of Roberto Duran “no mas” (Oh google it!).

The Recreational and Development match finished in a fine 140 run win for Rubislaw. Despite the result it was recreational as the match was played throughout in good spirits on a fine sunny day. Matches like these always help in the development of our Portcullis squad and the Rubislaw players as more players gain valuable experience in all aspect of the game. 20 of the 22 players got a bat, the other two resting their minor ailments whilst 15 players got to bowl.

PORTCULLIS MAN OF THE MATCH.

RICHARD COLLINSON takes the honours for Portcullis with his 2-20, his knock of 22 and for going to the pub after!

RUBISLAW MAN OF THE MATCH.

MIKE NATTRASS takes the honours for his fine 44, his fine wicket and for going to the pub after!

Saturday, 12 May, 2018