Despite the heavy overnight rain, Torrance House was in a reasonably good state but the morning showers meant that the start time was delayed till 1pm and the Captains agreed to a reduced 40 over match. EK skipper Mann won the toss and put Ayr into bat.

Ayr got off to a good start as opening bowlers Mann and Flynn struggled with their line and length but Mann made the breakthrough in the 5th over as Baines edged one behind to the keeper Matthew Deighan. The bowling was rotated around in an effort to get the second wicket but a mixture of decisions not going EK’s way and a few aerial shots not going to hand the Ayr batsman out on a very good partnership that saw the total move into three figures. Eventually Khan broke the partnership as Mann took a good catch above his head at extra cover to dismiss Cooper for 53. The other opener Henderson soon followed him to the pavilion and this started an Ayr collapse brought about by some wonderful bowling from Khan and Shahid Mahmood who finished with 4-11 in seven and a bit overs.

Ayr finished on 150 all out which was a very gettable total for EK. Overall it had been good bowling and fielding display and EK went into the break with confidence of forcing a good result.

This confidence was shattered not long into the innings when EK found themselves 4-3 and 12-4 as Meikle, Reid, Deighan and Moug fell cheaply. A recovery of sorts was lead by Dave and Liam but they too were caught as EK struggled to keep the ball down on a pitch that was holding the ball up a bit after some more rain during the tea break. Nick was also caught to leave EK seven down but hope of a win came alive again as Shahid and Usman batted well to take EK over half way to the target. Unfortunately Shahid was then caught for 19 but Usman continued the strike the ball cleanly and three fours in one over to edge EK over 100 needing 50 more.

Then the Ayr opening bowler who had bowled well came back on for his last two overs. A confident Usman decided to take him on and off the third ball of the over a thick outside edge looped up to third man and EK were 102-9 and the game was almost gone. Mann managed to play out Baines the opening bowler and him and Khan put on a few runs to edge EK closer but as the score reached 113 Mann was run out by a fantastic direct hit from about thirty yards away and was a foot short of his ground.

So Ayr won by 37 runs in a game where EK will really rue a missed opportunity for a scarce win. Next Saturday the 2s travel to Poloc.

Match details

Match date

Sat 28 Jul 2018

Kickoff

12:00

Team overview