Clackmannan County 1st XI v RHC

RHC 113 A/O (Y.Ali 37 N.Jahinger 4-28)

Clackmannan 115-3 (G.S.Oliver 28 G.Anderson 23)

Clackmannan won by 7 wickets

A TERRIFIC fielding and bowling performance helped secure a fantastic victory for Clackmannan County 1st XI against Royal High Corstophine last Saturday.

For much of the day Clackmannan seemed to be in control of their own destiny.

But the day was a battle of patience and wills, and a battle Clacks fought and won.

RHC continued to lose wickets and at drinks the visitors were 78-6 from 25 overs.

After the break, however, Yasser Ali batted with great maturity and saw his side to a decent total. He fell late on to give Noor Jahinger one of his first wickets for the 1st XI for three years and overall figures of four wickets for 28 runs from his eight overs.

The tail fell quickly including a stunning catch taken by Alan Deacon fielding at deep square leg. Suddenly, 113 to win looked a very achievable target.

Looking to get off to a great start with the bat, Tariq Mehboob and his new opening partner Graham Oliver opened the innings.

With the very first ball Mehboob smashed a pull shot through mid wicket for four then found another boundary off the fourth ball through square leg.

However, he met his demise chasing another big hit straight to the waiting hands of square leg.

Anderson was next to the crease to join Oliver. The pair would bat for 24 overs and score 54 runs, the longer the pair batted and eked out the runs the quieter the opposition got in the field. Drinks were called 62-1, with Clackmannan on top.

Ten the second ball Oliver fell lbw for 28. A good innings in the context of the game but he was gutted not to be there at the end to see his side home.

Kagumba joined Anderson hoping that his excellent bowling performance would be transferred to his batting.

This was evident quickly as two beautiful straight drives through mid off and mid on for three and four quickly settled any nerves.

Anderson at the other end was enjoying a block-a-thon, until mis-reading a short slower ball which sat in the pitch. He had looked solid but was caught for 23 and Clacks were 79-3 – just 35 runs short of victory.

Up stepped Ash Rasul in at number five. He produced some excellent stroke play and typically with Rasul was a run out candidate all day long..

With less than 10 to win, Rasul produced an excellent reverse scoop over third slip which had the umpires, scores and fellow team mates laughing at the unexpected cherry on top of the beautiful cake which was the overall performance.

Victory was assured when Rasul carved a square drive through point and Clackmannan had won with 10 overs to spare.

The result proves that this season Clackmannan can compete with the top of the league and judging by today there could be a close run race for the remainder of the season.

It will be onwards and upwards for Wee County side as they go into Saturday's game against Edinburgh South looking to build on this morale boosting victory.