June Match Reports
NOSCA RESERVE CUP MATCH
Ross County Reserves vs Orkney / Caithness (ORCA) - Sunday 13th June
Ross County’s second cup match against a Orkney / Caithness team proved to be a close encounter, with both teams taking to the pitch on a wet showery Sunday afternoon.
Ross County won the toss and elected to bat, After the early wickets of openers Ross Rae and Harry Tolliday fell, it was left up to the old guard of Pete Dolan and Lennox Boyd to steady the Ship. James Blake made it 35 and therefore retirement, as the score ticked over steadily until after 30 overs the total reached was 144. Pick of the bowlers was Chris Rae, who bowled with good pace and accuracy on a wet wicket.
After lunch the ORCA opening batsmen Jonathon Morgan and Andrew Dixon took the crease knowing that they would have score 5 an over to win the match.
The opening bowlers – the father and son pairing of Howard and Harry Tolliday ensured that the score stayed well below that level. Jonathon Morgan however did manage to reach his 35 before retiring. A steady fall of wickets ensured that Ross County were always in command of the game, and with the dismissal of the last batsmen the Orkney / Caithness travelling side, were all out for 20 short of the total.
A good second win for a Ross County side whose match ball was sponsored by AS Don Inverness. Although Ross County are struggling with league form, they look favourites to progress from their west section onto the semi finals.
Ross County Cricket Club vs Forres St Lawrence CC
Macallan Senior League Saturday 12th June 2010
Ross County were humbled by Forres with a crushing 10 wicket defeat at Castle Leod on Saturday. The jubilant scenes following a 170 run victory the weekend before were soon a distant memory as County failed to perform with the bat. Forres fast bowler Derrick Ross again proving to be the undoing of the batsmen as they failed to handle his variety of short deliveries. Opener Dave Smart fell cheaply to Gus Farr trying to cut the ball through 3rd slip, while Harry Tolliday was caught attempting to pull a short delivery – something his skipper had explicitly told him not to do! Drew Cole steadied the ship with a patient partnership with captain Chris Blake, before again succumbing to the bowling of Ross, who finished with 7 wickets for 25. With the help of some quickfire stroke play by veteran Renato Belli the County batsmen staggered to 74 runs before the last wicket fell.
For Ross County to win the match sponsored by Maclean Electrical they needed to bowl very well and take early wickets. As the ball fell time and again into gaps in the field, it was apparent that it was not going to be their day. Forres reached 75 without loss, Ali Farr knocking 48 and claimed Forres a comprehensive victory. This defeat can be solely attributed to under performance with the bat, and County will be looking to practice hard mid week before facing Keith at home in the cup.
