2s Lose to Ayr Seconds Despite Superb 85 from Meikle Jnr!

Contrary to the pattern of weather over the last 2 weeks, the 2s game at ayr went ahead with only 1 shower worth mentioning that didnt halt play.

East Kilbride arrived at New Cambusdoon and despite the track looking to have plenty in common with a road, were strangely invited to bat first by the Ayr skipper. Garry Smith and Gavin Meikle opened the batting but Garry was soon back in the hutch. He was quickly followed by number 3 bat Steven Moug who in a rush of blood tried to slog sweep Ayr's first change pie chucker and was clean bowled. This brought skipper Ralphs to the crease and despite taking some time to get going built a solid base along side Gavin who was playing quite beautifully.

Gavin "Chippy" Meikle's innings was one of some class for any batsman, never mind a 15 year old. He combined some amazing drop shots over the infield with some sumptuous drives and efficient tucks of his legs to bring up his maiden senior half ton at a good rate. He has been sometimes criticised in the past for failing to kick on from good starts but today there was none of this as he relentlessly drove, chipped and flicked his way towards what seemed like a certain ton. Then, out of nowhere, he tried to pull a length ball and had his furniture rearranged on 85. This was however, a superlative effort that was testament to the rewards that can be gained from properly building your innings. This should surely be one of many in Gavins future. Well batted Gav!

With good contributions alongside this from Ralphs, Khan and Mann, the 2s finished on could have been a testing score of 179 from their 50 overs.

It seemed to be match winning when Gramps bowling down the hill combined with Josh Richardson bowling up to produce a great spell of 10 overs for EK that saw Ayr at one point 3/24. However, it went down hill from there as number 4 and 5 set about regrouping and took Ayr inexorably towards the target. The number 4 was eventually out to Healy as he was deceived in the flight but the damage had been done and young Elliot Speirs came in and saw them home with some sweetly timed shots.

Ayr in the end proved to be just a class above the EK visitors who showed some good fight for portions of the game. However, what will be very disappointing to the EK side will be the utterly shambolic ground fielding from 2 or 3 guys that granted an extra 1 or 2 runs whenever the ball was hit near them. This must improve or EK will constantly find themselves on the wrong end of the dreaded 60 run swing and you simply cannot win games like that.

There is only one solution to this. Train hard, hone your fielding technique. Get fitter so you can sustain performances and finally train yourself to concentrate on every ball. Hard work at training will address these issues.

Finally and without going into detail, there is something to be said for the Spirit of Cricket.