The 1st XI played host at Myreside again this Saturday, this time entertaining Grange 2s. Gareth won the toss and opted to bat first on a fine afternoon. The decision proved wise with our top order finding good form quickly. Young Oscar Kirkwood opened with Mike Carson and contributed 18 to a solid 77-run first wicket stand. Wickets two (Carson) and three (Dan Kirk, on loan from the 2nd XI) were each worth more than a hundred, only the second time that the 1st XI has had two 100+ run partnerships in an innings, according to our record-keeper. The previous occasion saw Ewan Chalmers combine with brother Andrew and then Brendan (now teacher Mr) O’Connell against Stoneywood Dyce in 2015. This time, Carson made an excellent 135 (his ninth century for the 1st XI, moving him into third place on the 1st XI centurions leaderboard, ahead of Ewan Chalmers on 8 and Oli Hairs on 7) and Kirk almost achieved back-to-back centuries, making 98 after his 102 last week (so he’s averaging 100!) Tom Wylie contributed a valuable 40 helping us to 319/4, easily the highest score in the Championship so far this year.

Donovan du Randt got us off to a quick start with the ball, striking in the first over again. Matiullah Yar struck twice in two balls to make it 18/3 in the sixth over, a feat repeated by Gareth in the middle of the innings on his way to a superb 5-fer (9.4-2-16-5). Evan Howe also bowled a solid eight-over spell taking 2/38. Only Jonathan Brock (brother of our Andrew) and Rhett Hussey could muster a significant partnership (87) with the remaining wickets falling for less in combination, Grange 2 slumping to 158 all out. Oli Hairs, on return from injury, will have been delighted not to have been required with either bat or ball.

The 2nd XI one-upped the 1s with three centuries featuring in their match against RHC 2s at Barnton. Sadly, the first two were for RHC. Vikash Gautam took the wicket of one of the openers in the first over but thereafter Johann Joseph and George Gill put on a masterclass combining for an incredible 335 run second-wicket partnership. The partnership alone almost equals the highest score previously recorded against the 2nd XI (336 by Edinburgh CC in 2005). Each of Joseph and Gill hit 21 fours, Gill adding 5 sixes on his way to 175 while Joseph managed ‘only’ three but carried his bat on 145*. Rory High was most economical going at only 5 per over and Abid Shinwari took two late consolation wickets but RHC’s 384/3 from 45 overs was a truly intimidating total.

In reply, our batters showed a lot of character. Kevin Singh came in at three and anchored our innings superbly making his maiden century with 104 from 109 balls including 15 fours and a six. Debutant Vishal Chawan supported Kevin well with 25 off 33, Louis Ferguson batted patiently and last-minute substitute Patrick Crunden, a young debutant, carried his bat on 16*. We batted 44 of our potential 45 overs and scored a very good 212, frustrating the RHC field who were itching to celebrate their win much sooner.

The 3rd XI hosted Tranent & Preston Village 3s at Craiglockhart. Five of our eight bowlers took wickets, Aryaman Apte having best figures of 3/22 but each of Jamie Reid, Pranjan Patel and captain Jaideep Singh took two and Hamish Tucker one. Newcomer Sukhrajveer Singh was wicketless but our most economical bowler, conceding only 14 from his 5 overs – and he top-scored with the bat. Extras top-scored for T&PV with 35 but four other T&PV batters were in the 30s helping their side to a useful 214 all out. Our reply was marred by an unusual and unfortunate series of three consecutive runouts with the score barely in double digits. It was a day to forget with the bat (47 all out in 18 overs) and there are lessons to learn in the field, but this new group has lots of potential and will come back stronger.

The 4th XI played on Sunday on the artificial wicket at the Polmont Oval, home to Tranent & Preston Village 5th XI. This turned out to be the closest of the weekend’s games and a real nailbiter. Asked to bat first, we put on 116/8 from our 40 overs. This was a team effort with Edward Jones (21*), Chris Cox (19), Lachlan Morris (16) and Caylin Pickett (12*) notable contributors. T&PV’s opener, Mahesh Obulareddy, led from the front with 38, bowled Alec Fair. Otherwise, their batters found it no easier than we did to score, especially with Matt Burgess on top catching form, taking three. At 91/7 it was absolutely game on but Vinodh Rajendran’s 20* saw T&PV home, just, scoring 117 (roughly) with two wickets and eight balls in hand. Kevin Weavers led the bowling with 2/14 off 7 overs (2 maidens). Caylin and debutant Jeetaksh Rawat also took two wickets each and Jamie Stevenson and Alec one each.

This weekend saw the return of our Sunday Development League team, captained by Matt Lancashire. For the first game of 2025, we hosted Kelso at Myreside. In this format, it’s very difficult to line up on a like-for-like basis with the opposition, as each ‘Development’ team has a slightly different mix of youth and experience. Kelso’s openers proved more than ready, one retiring on 50 not out (league rules), the other only succumbing to Mike Carson’s single bowling over for 46. Thereafter the contest was much more even, seeing Thomas Lancashire and Gregor Haire take five wickets between them for only 20 runs in nine overs. Kelso’s 142 proved a little more than we could manage, because Mike sportingly didn’t face any balls, making a very rare 0* from 0. Young 1st XI batter Oscar Kirkwood made his weekend total up to 50 with 32 in this match and Matthew Nicolson and Thomas were among five other batters scoring in double figures getting us to 126 all out in the final over.

Many thanks to the three 1st XI players who supported the Development League this week. They’ll be busy with a second match of their own next weekend as we face Arbroath away in the first round of the Scottish Cup next Sunday. The Women’s 1st XI will also start their 2025 campaign travelling to Portgower Place to face Grange. Much to look forward to!