East Lothian Courier | Sport | Village People slip up on artificial playing surface

Monday, 12th May, 2008

Published: Thursday, 1st May, 2008 08:00

Village People slip up on artificial playing surface

aPRESTON Village CC firsts started their East League Division 3 campaign travelling to Royal High/Corstorphine in Edinburgh.

They found themselves playing on another artificial surface and were asked to bat first after losing the toss.

When they slumped to seven for two wickets after only three overs the omens weren’t good when Patterson joined captain Dougie Russell at the wicket.

Russell was his unusual careful self with studied defence interspersed with some superb driving shots, whilst his veteran partner chose belligerence was patient in an unusually quiet innings.

The tactics worked, however, as the pair put on 50 runs to take the People to 57 for two in the 21st over, before Patterson played a lazy shot and was easily caught at mid-on for 17.

Russell carried on serenely to his first 50 of the season, but none of the other batsmen made any real impression and despite useful cameos from Brunton and new signing, Scott Taylor, the People’s innings subsided to 128 all-out.

At tea, it looked as if this score was around 40 shots short even allowing for the slow outfield, but the visitors came out fighting.

Nick Grainger grabbed a wicket with his second ball in a good start for the Prestonpans side in the field.

They stayed in the match with aggressive fielding and switching bowlers.

Russell’s bowling changes were well planned and seemed to bring wickets every time as the hosts were reduced to 96 for seven.

However a stubborn unbeaten stand of 33 between Geoghean and West eased the hosts to victory in the 47th over.

Best of the bowling for the People were Grainger with two for 23, Barrie with 2 wickets and Ramzan with three for 19.

Despite acquitting themselves well, against one of the pre-season favourites for the title, the People will have to improve their batting further down the order if they are to have any chance of a successful season after winning promotion.

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