On Sunday 26th August, Glasgow Accies sent a side down the A1 to Berwick to contest the second ever Anglo Scottish Sixes tournament. Twelve hours and four unbeaten matches later, they returned as champions.
Led by Andrew Smith, a team of Richard Andrew, Corrie Dick, Neil Dowers, Ash Ringin and Daniel Scott smashed their way through three group matches and an all-Scottish final to emerge victorious.
On a morning as beautiful as the setting of Pier Field, Accies got off to the best possible start; Neil Dowers slamming 25 runs off the opening over of the Alnwick match, on his way to 42 of a team total of 75-3. A solid all-round bowling performance rounded the match off, despite Shazhad's 42.
Accies then took on last year's play-off opponents Kelso, once again batting first. Dowers and Andrew fell early, but the two Aussies, Scott and Ringin, came together to steer Accies to 55-2. Tight overs from the Accies slow bowlers and another level-headed death over from Richard Andrew saw Accies home.
Against Berwick, Accies posted their lowest total of the tournament, 51-3, headed by Scott (21) and Dowers (14). Tournament best overs 2-7 from both Andrew and the skipper Smith pegged back Kelso as they fell 10 runs short and Accies progressed.
Accies faced Gala in the final, and produced a flawless performance to ease to victory. Dowers (25*) and Andrew (30*) shared an unbeaten opening stand of 65* to set up the bowlers to round off the job expertly. Dick took 1-6, including the key wicket of Gala's main run-scorer, Meins. Richard Andrew's final over conceded a miserly 4.
The team collected its silverware as darkness descended upon Berwick. To add to the two-trophy hall, the team received winners' medals, and Neil Dowers was awarded the player of the tournament trophy for his 88 runs, (5 6s, 8 4s) and three stumpings.
A marvellous day was had by all and the team looks forward thoroughly to defending their championship next year.