That was an exciting start to the fourth ESCC indoor league competition, with two games going to the last ball and the third decided in the final over. Eleven players featured for the first time (including three new to the club), and all sections across the club (including the women’s and juniors) were represented.
The opening game of the league was between Waverley Fire and Marchmont Originals, with the latter under a new captain, Ankur Sharma. Gordon Walker kindly stayed on as Fire captain, and the continuity told in the end as Waverley edged a close-run game.
Fire won the toss and put Originals into bat. The Originals’ opening pair put on 30 without loss, a great start that was built on by the second pair, who added a further 21. Fire fought back with some good bowling and restricted the last Originals pair to 2 runs while taking 4 wickets. Originals closed on 53.
Fire started with their strongest pair, who scored 33 for the loss of only one wicket. The second Fire pair added 25 without loss, taking Fire past the Originals’ score and leaving Originals needing wickets to win. The last Fire pair batted cautiously, scoring 6 and, more importantly, not losing a wicket, which sealed the win for Fire.
Final result: Fire 64 v Originals 53
Points: Fire 20, Originals 4
The second game was Waverley Fire v Leith Rockets. Fire again won the toss and decided to bowl. Rockets began fast: their opening pair put on 47, a great effort with both players debuting. Tight bowling pegged back the second pair, who were out five times and finished on -4. The final pair recovered well with 22, giving Rockets 65.
Fire’s opening pair made 30 for one wicket. The second pair added 35, putting Fire two runs ahead and leaving Rockets needing wickets to win. The final pair batted safely and looked comfortable before a wicket fell in the 10th over, leaving Rockets ahead by 3. The 11th over was a maiden, so Fire still needed 4 going into the last over. One came from the first ball, two dots followed, the odds favouring Rockets, but 3 from the fourth ball put Fire ahead, and they saw out the final delivery for a nail-biting win.
Final result: Fire 66 v Rockets 65
Points: Fire 22, Rockets 5
Spirit won the toss and put Superchargers into bat. Superchargers’ first pair started quickly, putting on 42 without loss. The second pair added 21 despite two wickets. The final pair blasted 26 before late wickets meant the last two overs went for -2. Superchargers finished on 87.
Spirit’s first pair made 27 without loss. The second pair added 28 for one wicket, leaving 33 needed. After 11 overs Spirit were 81, needing 7, but a wicket first ball of the last over, then another, left 6 needed off the final ball to tie which they were unable to achieve.
Final result: Superchargers 87 v Spirit 76
Points: Superchargers 22, Spirit 7
Batters of the week (net scores)
Kasun 26
Rod 24
Nipun 23
Kav 21
Shaman 21
Bowlers of the week
Nipun 2-1
Cammie 2-9
Kesh 2-20
Fire top the table after two wins, and Originals are bottom, but it’s very early days.
| POS |
TEAM |
P |
w |
l |
BatP |
BowlP |
BP |
Pts |
| 1 |
Edinburgh South CC - Waverley Fire |
2 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
7 |
12 |
42 |
| 2 |
Edinburgh South CC - Silverknowes Superchargers |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
22 |
| 3 |
Edinburgh South CC - New Town Spirit |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
| 4 |
Edinburgh South CC - Leith Rockets |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
| 5 |
Edinburgh South CC - Marchmont Originals |
1 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
Key: P = Played, w = Won, l = Lost, BatP = Batting Bonus Points, BowlP = Bowling Bonus Points, BP = Bonus Points, Pts = Points
It was a great first week, notwithstanding the initial technical difficulties, and it’s shaping up to be a very close contest. On to next week, when Superchargers play Fire (9:00), Superchargers play Originals (10:00), and Rockets play Superchargers (11:00).