Bute v Alps (25/06/16) scorecard

Alps made the exotic journey to the Isle of Bute, with the sun beating down upon the team as they crossed the calm waters on the ferry. One could just about imagine being a test player in the 1930s travelling via a luxury liner on the way to Australia. The match itself was a splendid event, with a thrilling contest taking place at the picturesque Rothesay ground.Batting first, Bute wickets tumbled early in their innings, and it looked, fleetingly, like we would skittle out the home side for a low score. But the Bute side, perhaps seeking to redress the balance after their loss on the School Ground a few weeks earlier, dug in and withstood the Alps attack. it was veteran Australian Martin Crump and Captain Peacock who provided most of the Bute runs. Crump survived a noisy, hysterical and prolonged appeal from the Alps' wicket-keeper for a stumping, and went on to score a masterful 80. Peacock scored 72, and the Bute total rose to 199 at the end of the 40 overs.

The battling Alps team was determined to reach the target of 200; and it certainly looked a distinct possibility as openers Fraser Murray (54) and Martin Oliver (19) made scoring look easy in the early stages. But the quick loss of each player heralded a mini-collapse, with only Andrew Robinson (23) and captain McLaren (11) reaching double figures. In the end, Alps managed to reach 160, and reflected upon a match which could easliy have been won. It was a most enjoyable day nonetheless, and a pleasure to play against such a fine and witty team as Bute. We look forward to our final match against Bute at the School Ground later in the season.