Sixes Match Report: The Final "Another time Highlander"

The MCC, having won the league now looked like favourites for the cup - after easily chasing the 90 runs set by 'Gnomes' in the second semi. Could the Reekers overcome the odds and create an upset against old enemies - as they so very nearly had done twice in the past? They are certainly capable of it but as mentioned already in this column, batting and bowling well in unison would be a must - as would winning the toss. Unbelievably Ingram again lost the toss and as expected Reekers were put into bat, with the knowledge that bowling was the weaker element of the MCC's game. Hence a good total was a must so as to offer a realistic challenge to the 'pros'. With the same batting line up as in the semi, Edinburgh started well scoring a healthy 40 from the first 6, and with, much more importantly all wickets still in hand. Then disaster struck, with Ingram having started so well, he carelessly threw his wicket away when on 22 - 3 short of the not-out retirement total needed. Elliot seemingly having not yet mastered the '6's method' crabbed for runs until going weakly again, ending a poor indoor season with the bat. The 2 new batsmen - Haydon and Comer M then sought to redress the balance planning to consolidate, and then force the pace in the final few overs. After 2 more overs Haydon was bowled through the gate, head up trying to drive the MCC off-spinner. Desperate for runs, Comer M followed soon after in the 9th over, run-out chancing his arm to deep mid-off.


		Lord's Indoor 6-a-side Competition 2000/01, Sunday December 3rd T Ingram M Comer S Roundell T Haydon J Scowen J Elliot Final: Auld Reekers Vs MCC: "Another time Highlander" The MCC, having won the league now looked like favourites for the cup - after easily chasing the 90 runs set by 'Gnomes' in the second semi. Could the Reekers overcome the odds and create an upset against old enemies - as they so very nearly had done twice in the past? They are certainly capable of it but as mentioned already in this column, batting and bowling well in unison would be a must - as would winning the toss. Unbelievably Ingram again lost the toss and as expected Reekers were put into bat, with the knowledge that bowling was the weaker element of the MCC's game. Hence a good total was a must so as to offer a realistic challenge to the 'pros'. With the same batting line up as in the semi, Edinburgh started well scoring a healthy 40 from the first 6, and with, much more importantly all wickets still in hand. Then disaster struck, with Ingram having started so well, he carelessly threw his wicket away when on 22 - 3 short of the not-out retirement total needed. Elliot seemingly having not yet mastered the '6's method' crabbed for runs until going weakly again, ending a poor indoor season with the bat. The 2 new batsmen - Haydon and Comer M then sought to redress the balance planning to consolidate, and then force the pace in the final few overs. After 2 more overs Haydon was bowled through the gate, head up trying to drive the MCC off-spinner. Desperate for runs, Comer M followed soon after in the 9th over, run-out chancing his arm to deep mid-off.







		With the Reekers collapsing to 55 for 4 Roundell and Scowen needed to bat out the last 3 and post some kind of total to bowl at. At 62 from 10 Roundell drove well, but with some further bad luck, the ball brushed the top netting, and instead of going for what looked like a precious 6 runs, came down short into deep mid-off's hands. Last man James Scowen tried valantly but the innings was cut short by Roundell - again running himself out (and thus Scowen) through dawdling and hesitancy. For the first time ever, Edinburgh had committed the cardinal sin of not batting out the allotted 12 overs, being all out for a meagre 66 with 9 balls to spare. With the odds now stacked against them could the Reekers pull this one out of the bag with one final effort? The MCC, as arrogant and cocky as ever started steadily with Sedgebeer looking to take Scowen and Roundell on. Dancing up the pitch once too often Haydon craftily caught a sliced off-drive from Sedgebeer off Scowen's bowling. However, at 33 for 1 from 5, the MCC still looked set for a comfortable win. As Haydon and Comer M took up the second spell, and with MCC's batsmen liking the drive, a mixture of slower and quicker balls seemed Reekers only chance. The MCC continued to bat in a controlled, but rather cocky manner until Comer M took two quick caught and bowled wickets, removing the opener and dangerous number 3. With a glimmer of hope the Reekers heads now rose only for Comer to spill another caught and bowled chance. At 50 for 3 Comer M then redeemed himself by taking a catch at deep mid-on off Haydon's bowling. With 14 to win the MCC had now lost 4 wickets, and in the unlikeliest of circumstances the Reekers had now made more than a game of it. Another caught and bowled by Comer M in the 11th over brought the final to a tense finish. Supported by the Reekers contingent Toby Cresswell and Alex Comer, Washington (all but their still-sulking captain) now as spectators - gamely cheered for a Reekers victory. With 7 balls left and the MCC needing just 3 to win a massive upset was begging to be made. Comer M duly delivered a straight pitched-up delivery to the last man, who managed to get bat on ball just before the Reekers were about to explode with an LBW appeal. Cometh the hour…….With MCC needing just 3 to win, Tom Haydon nervously stepped up to bowl the final over of the final game of the season - hoping to be hailed a hero by all past and present alumni of Edinburgh University. One ball is all it takes, but after 2 bowled and with the Reekers surrounding the batsman a drive was squeezed past fielder and bowler giving MCC a close-run victory. Reekers had so nearly brought off an amazing win, and with it the sizeable trophy. With another 20 or 30 runs who's to say what would have been? Sadly, for the 2000 season it was not to be, with captain Ingram no doubt eyeing both league and cup trophies for next winter. Reekers will no doubt be back, stronger, fitter, faster, more determined and more difficult to beat then ever. The summer season beckons…….