Competitive innings gives Oban the edge over Dollar

Oban Cricket Club have enjoyed their busiest season since the Covid interrupted years and have already played home and away games against Glasgow Accies as well as away trips to Comrie and Dollar this year.

 

On Sunday August 6, Oban welcomed Dollar Cricket Club to Taynuilt and, having lost convincingly to the Stirlingshire Club two weeks ago, knew they had to put in a good performance to have any chance against strong opposition who play league cricket regularly in Central Scotland division one.

 

Oban batted first and started slowly against some tight bowling from the visitors.

 

Early wickets fell and the Oban innings was struggling. Tristan Carre joined Archie Bird and they put together a good partnership of 35 before Carre was out.

 

Archie Bird was caught on the boundary for 31 before Josh Tristram and Alfie Bartholomew started punishing any wayward bowling to take Oban past 100.

 

Tristram fell for 39 and Bartholomew finished 38 not out as Oban posted a very competitive 138 for seven from their 30 overs.

 

Dollar must have fancied chasing this total down but their innings started in disastrous fashion, losing three wickets in the first over.

 

Batting hero Alfie Bartholomew's brother Ben was the bowler with two wickets and a run out leaving Dollar three wickets down and in real trouble trying to chase the Oban total.

 

Eric Roberts chipped in with three wickets as the Oban bowlers continued to cause problems for Dollar.

 

Only Peter Simon, with 30, was able to defy Oban as Dollar finished all out for 82.

 

Jack Whiteley took the last two wickets as Oban finished victors by 56 runs.

 

This was a fine performance from an Oban side just getting used to returning to regular games and the team are due to play Clydesdale from Glasgow at Taynuilt on August 13 in their next fixture.

 

Anyone interested in playing cricket should contact Ronnie Kelly on 07986 405961.

 

Scores - Oban 138 -7 (Tristram 39, A Bartholomew 38 not out)

 

Dollar 82 (Simon 30 ; B Bartholomew 3-14, E Roberts 3-12)