Last Saturday RWS Forestry St. Michaels CC played host to Stenhousemuir at Kingholm Park in a WDCU Division 1 league match and once again emerged a disappointing second losing by 104 runs.
This margin would have been a lot less if four regulation catches had been pouched early on in the away team’s innings. One of the drops was especially costly with overseas professional R. Jappie taking full advantage of his good luck, scoring a ton and holding the Stenhousemuir innings of 236 for 9 in 50 overs together.
Pick of the bowlers was skipper Tom Holmes with two wickets for 29 in his ten over spell. Other wicket takers were Juan Martins with three, Ross Lamb with two and Ross Dalling and Alan Lamb with one apiece.
If Holmes was pulling his hair out after the poor catching display, it was all but gone after the home teams batting performance, with RWS Forestry only scoring 132 in 25.3 overs on a pitch that was improving as the match wore on.
Chris Brockwell carried his bat for 67 not out showing that a win was distinct possibility if he had received any support from the other end. Brockwell batted splendidly, showing grit and a varied shot selection, with the only partnership of note being one of 59 with Alan Lamb who scored 20.
Martins was unlucky, being the victim of a harsh LBW decision, but a veil will be drawn once again on the rest of the batting effort, determination and therefore results.
RWS Forestry St. Michael’s are at the wrong end of the table at the half-way stage of the season, and unless each individual player and the team as a whole can regroup and galvanise behind skipper Holmes, and start to produce the required performances and results, relegation is sadly a distinct possibility.
Chris Brockwell was an easy choice for Nith Place Dental Practice Man of the match.
Stenhousemuir CC: 236 for 9. R. Jappie 100. H. Martins 10-0-44-3, T. Holmes 10-1-29-2, C. Brockwell 10-1-26-0, A. Lamb 7-1-45-1, R. Lamb 10-0-72-2, R. Dalling 3-0-16-1.
