CLACKMANNAN CCC made a return to winning ways over the weekend with a victory against Edinburgh CC.

On a glorious summer day at The Arns Clackmannan County’s first 11 welcomed Edinburgh CC in a must win game after last week’s disappointing performance. Clackmannan won the initial battle with the toss and decided to bat first.

Clackmannan opened the batting with a rejigged opening partnership of David Hunt and Keith Hefer.

Both batsmen started well and looked good with Hunt in particular hitting two solid boundaries early doors from some wayward bowling. Unfortunately, as has been the case this season, Hunt got the one ball that popped at him from a good length and was caught behind for 12.

Hefer was joined at the wicket by returning wicketkeeper Daniel Johnson. The batsmen, like Hunt, showed promise and looked like they would get plenty of runs until Hefer – who had picked out the point fielder on numerous occasions previously – was caught from a full toss & was out for 22.

Soon afterwards, the partnership was 94 and Clackmannan were 163-4. Alfred Hearnshaw, who had brought up his second 50 of the season minutes earlier, was next to go for an excellent 62 caught behind by an excellent diving catch by wicketkeeper Butt.

The innings shortly concluded at the 50 over mark and Clackmannan had posted 215-7, the first time this season the 1’s had batted 50 overs.

Tom Hutchison, after landing awkwardly in the field, was given the ball and cleaned up the tail by bouncing out the tail end batsmen with some vicious bowling. Edinburgh were bounced out into submission in the 43rd over all out for 177 meaning Clackmannan had won by 38 runs.

The victory may seem an upset based on previous week’s results but this was a game that the entire team contributed to in some way and should be used as a stepping stone for the season, which continues next week with a trip to face Edinburgh Accies.