2nd XI v Fettes (16 May)

Winning the toss we elected to bat but lost two wickets quite quickly and cheaply.  This resulted in Harry coming to the wicket to start an outstanding innings making 53 before he was bowled.  Ross added a creditable 16 and by the end of the twenty overs we had scored 124.

The pattern we had set was followed by Fettes, losing two early wickets before their innings was stabilised by their captain with a good knock of 46 n.o.  However, in spite of some poor fielding on our part (six catches were dropped!) we contained their remaining batsmen so that after their twenty overs they had scored 94 for 8. Harry, not content with his excellent batting performance, took three wickets for nine runs.  The other wickets were shared between Thomas, Milo and Ross.

Victory was achieved but we were left in no doubt that our fielding will have to improve.

U10B v Edinburgh Academy (5 May)

A good start for the U10B's season, recording a convincing victory against EA. Both teams agreed to start with 200 runs each and EA elected to bat first. The format of the game included 2 extras for a wide or no ball, -5 runs for a wicket taken and normal runs recorded.

Merchiston started well in bowling and managed to collect 4 wickets in the first six overs. It could have been an impressive score; however, 10 wide balls added to the EA's batting total. Merchiston fielded extremely well cutting out any extra runs in between the stumps. It was noticeable that there was much more communication between the boys to help each other out. EA's batsmen missed several opportunities to run extra balls on over throws and with more back up between shots their score could have been significantly increased. EA's total came to 232 runs.

With Merchiston batting next it was evident that they had more technique in defence and hit out at the appropriate time. They didn't concede a wicket until the 16th over, which is an incredible achievement. By then they had massed a total 258 runs - a combination of good backing up between the wickets, far too many wides from EA and some confident batting strokes from Merchiston. One outstanding performance should be noted - Alex F managed 3 boundaries during his 2 over spell which pushed the team total along. The difference between the two teams was Merchiston ran more singles backing each other up. Also Merchiston didn't give away so many wides. Well done to the all the boys on a great team effort.

1st XI vs Cargilfield (28 April)

It was thanks to two acts of generosity that the Pringle 1st XI was able to open the season as scheduled against Cargilfield in a much anticipated 40 over game: the hosts were most kind to risk the future of their square and prepare a wicket after such an horrendous week of weather, and Coach Osborne's benevolence in sending us some Saturday Saudi sun will not be forgotten quickly. It was cold, windy and the wicket sticky, but Angus (55) won the toss and, alongside Michael (36), forged a superb opening partnership of over 80. This would have deflated many teams but Cargundians are a resilient bunch and fought hard to stem the flow of runs. There was, however, nothing they could do when debutant Jamie (55) took a fancy to a bowling change and proceeded to launch an entire over's worth of balls at the terrified parents gathering for tea and eclairs (one notable exception was Mr R who nonchantly snaffled a towering 6 with one hand and without spilling his tea). The 29 runs coming from this assault was instrumental in taking the team to a competitive 188-7 off the full allocation of 40 overs. Lorne (1-12) and Xander (2-8) opened the bowling and immediately hit a good full length. The rewards came quickly. One opening batsman yorked and the other cleaned bowled after a vicious bounce hit him in the chest and rebounded onto the stumps (he can consider himself unfortunate). Charlie and Cian then entered the match and continued to build on the pressure. Charlie (1-12) claimed his first wicket for the first XI in his opening over and Cian (4-18) proved that spinners can bowl on slow pitches by hitting an ideal length and spinning the ball prodigious distances. He was too much for the opposition batting line up and, despite two resilient partnerships from the last three batsmen, Cargilfield were bowled out for 53. A victory by 135 runs is an excellent way to start the season and many thanks again to Cargilfield for preparing a pitch in such adverse circumstances.