On Saturday 13th May, the 1XI got out the passports and ventured across the river to Titwood to take on the Clydesdale 2XI. By their 73 run victory they secured 25 more points and, at 75/75, top spot in the WDCU Division 1.
Fraser Murray lost the toss and Accies were invited to bat - you may notice a pattern is forming to Saturday games. Titwood assumed that run-chasing would be easy on their lightning outfield; and that it would be difficult to judge how many runs would be enough batting first.
Richard Andrew was lost early, Ellis (1-77 from 11) sneaking one through his defence. After this blip, the runs started to flow for Accies. Hunter, the keeper, and his skipper scored freely on both sides of the wicket, bringing up their partnership of 119 inside 24 overs. Ed went to 50 with a textbook perfect extra-cover drive, neatly bisecting mid-off and cover and holding the pose as the ball clattered the advertising boards. He was dismissed playing a tired shot to spinner Ali (4-54 from 15). Fritzy soldiered on regardless, driving through midwicket and the covers with equal poise and punishing short balls from the medium pacers on the flat deck. No sooner than everyone in Accies gear thought, 'Here comes Fritzy's ton, finally,' he took on one pull-shot too many, and lobbed a top-edge to square leg. His 82 came quickly, in 98 balls, and was the linchpin of the Accies innings.
Useful quick down the order contributions from Dan Scott, Roddy Kelso, Euan Sheridan and Andy Smith pushed the Accies total to 265-7. Andy's 18* took him to 67 runs for the season without a dismissal.
Al Miller and Kash Rashid took up the attack as the 'Dale began the chase. Al bowled a little too full for the wicket and was punished accordingly by the young openers Sinclair and Hollier. Kash's style proved far more effective, causing both batsmen to look very edgey, before cleaning up Hollier with a jaffa, knocking back his off-stick.
Demoted 1XI batsman, Singh, fared little better against Kash, picking up just a single before knicking off to Hunter. Clydesdale 2-24. Kash picked up Ellis for the same score, caught Murray, then should have had turncoat Hugh Fulton on his way without troubling the scorers - if Nige's hands were what they used to be. Shuggie never looked set and was run out by Dodson for just 5. Nige's drop cost 25 in partnership.
At 52-4, Madden tried to hit Clydesdale out of trouble. His 21 included 2 nice 4s and a massive 6 before he miscued one and Miller gratefully accepted the chance at long-off.
From this point, an Accies victory looked certain. Progress was held up by Forsyth, who smashed a quick 50, including 22 off one Smith over. When he fell and Sinclair followed, so ended any hope of a successful chase.
The only question that remained was whether Clydesdale might salvage the draw, but the tail offered little resisted as the innings capitulated for 190, the last 2 wickets ousted for just 10.
4 from 4 now for the Accies, who welcome Hillhead to Accies for the first home league tie of the season this weekend, and would also welcome any supporters with open arms.