Better week for the weather (still a bit chilly mind) but a mind boggling array of games awaited the Livi Scheme Team mentalists at the junior level.
In what feels like an eon ago, but was actually only the Monday the 30th May, Livi took on Linlithgow in the "Battle of the best junior sections in West Lothian". Livi were asked to bat and despite losing Srikar early, Livi posted a decent 143 from their 20 overs with retirements for Alex, Vivaan and Matthew. When it came to bowling, Livi took to their task well and wickets came for amazing, Naman and the Renegades of Funk. Linlithgow got to 64 form their 20 and a good night was had by all.
Not to be outdone on the Tuesday, with the u18s again not happening, the adults asked us to come and have a go if we thought we were hard enough. Well indeed they do...but on this occasion, the adults managed to put the whipper snappers in their place with a comfy 20 runs between then int he end. Adults had featured Imtiaz and Omais...two AMAZING batsman from the 1s...no excuses though.
On the Wednesday, we welcomed Kelso to take on our u16s B team (?) and despite losing Adit to a golden, boring sensible batting from the team all the way down the order got the team to 147 or so. Kelso went about their task, aided by as many wides / no balls as they scored with the bat, but could only get past 65 or so. Two possible hat tricks apparently for Haroon and Jonty...not taken....or were they?
Did we get Thursday off then? No.
Under 13s went to Reddings to take on Callander and Westquarter in th ECB Vitality Cup QF. On a beautiful evening and at a lovely location, the really nice kids of the opposition gave us a good go...batting first, Livi put on 155 runs with Alex and Srikar retiring having batted solidly. In response, the Renegades of Funk took to their task with the ball in a frightening opening spell of pace and accuracy. Both were on hat tricks...Srikar not getting his, but taking 3 wickets for no runs...and Matthew decided to keep him self on to try get it...but no dice. Later on in the game, Naman and his right arm mystery madness got 2 wicket in 2...
Friday night off then? No.
DV and 0.5 of the Renegades took in the Lancashire game...that Tim David is a decent player BTW.
Juniors netted
Under 12s visited our good besties at Watsons who welcomed them and complimented them. Keep the faith dudes.
Saturday???
Many juniors playing in the 1s and 2, with Jared taking 3 wickets against a quality Edinburgh South CC team including a screamer of a catch off his own bowling and in the 2s Srikar deeks started to come of age with a 44....however...
Sunday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
With the 40th anniversary party on going, Edinburgh South 4s visited and the 3rd XI with 4 juniors took about them. Wickets for Zaki (4 off) and Adit (3) held them to 138, and in response, with Adit and Matthew falling cheaply, it was left to Zaki (49) and Srikar (48no or 51no....depending on who you speak to) to have a 101 run partnership to see the team over the line in front of many past and present members. A fitting end to a great day...
MONDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Non stop innit.
Hotly contested Perth vs. Livi at Livi finished us off mentally with a gritty and determined win for the scheme team over a very spirited and talented Perth team coached by Jack Emslie. Livi ground out a total of 118 despite 3 run outs and very very very decent and fast bowling. In response, this reporters opinion, Livi fielded out of their skin and and bowled accurately. Pick of the bowlers, 11 year old Vivaan who bowled from the 7th over and conceded only 12 runs from 4 overs including 1 maiden and 1 wicket.
Ok, have a day job...better crack on