Leith Franklin Academicals Beige Cricket Club

Leith’s midweek season started last night in pleasant conditions at Roseburn v Maccabi, starring Edinburgh cricketing stalwarts such ex-Leith old timer Gus “Mr Cricket” McLean and Norman Berger, and 2 debutantes for Leith - Alex Jones and Matt Meecham. Late call off from Alex Sutcliffe meant a vacancy for the position of wicket keeper so there was overall relief when Leith batted first. The donning of the wicket keeping pads was nominated to Gavin Fisher due to perennial excuse of delayed buses, and there was considerable interest to see if he would push to make this position permanent.

Despite various complaints from Maccabi players about how slow their team were getting ready and lack of organising, play started at what for midweek cricket is an early time of 620 pm. McLean (with assistance from Ben Wood as umpire immediately pounced in the opening over), trapping Tariq lbw for 0 before he was settled at the crease, however this proved a mixed blessing for Maccabi as new boy David Harper lashed the bowling to his heart’s content, reaching 50 in less than 30 minutes, featuring some elegant off drives on a pitch that was playing surprisingly well.

His innings was not chanceless though as two catchable skiers were put down by the Maccabi fielders and he also survived a good lbw shout from an inswinging delivery from McLean. He was receiving steady support from Murray McKean and Leith were in a strong position at 70-1 of 8.4 overs when what had been a warm and pleasant evening descended into a hail storm and play was swiftly abandoned. So Leith’s first win of the season will have to wait for another day!