Issue 3

Fin is a big lad now - what is he up to these days? What are the biggest differences between playing cricket in Scotland and Australia? There are just so many more quality players here and teams have more depth, especially in junior age groups. In senior cricket I had to learn really quickly that no-one is nice to you on the field, especially if you are young - the opposition try to intimidate so you have to have thick skin and if you make a mistake you are expected to recover really quickly. What do you miss about playing cricket in Scotland? I never had to play in 40 degrees in Scotland, and I definitely miss the teas. In Australia this season we had games called off or delayed for flooding lightning, heat (over 43 degrees), bushfires and Covid 19. I kind of miss cold days and drizzly rain. What level have you played at in Australia and who are the best players you have played with or against? In junior cricket I have played in the NSW State Challenge for the Country Sixers which is the equivalent of Eastern Knights and I am currently waiting to see if I have made the NSW Academy squad to train towards the national titles. I also played in the Green Shield under 16s for two years with Manly Warringah so got to play and train with Australian u16 players, the Australian u19s world cup team and Sheffield Shield players. In senior cricket I played a whole season of first grade in Newcastle so batted and bowled against former first class and Australian Country players. I made a couple of 30 not outs and my best wicket was Andrew Harriott, who is a Melbourne Renegades player, caught and bowled. Would you like to play in Scotland again? I am really keen to play in Scotland and get back to Grange Loan. I had already been talking my dad into trying to get there this season before Coronavirus. Playing in a Scotland age group team is one of my ambitions. Lastly, who is your favourite ever 4th XI captain? Well, I barely played 4th grade here so it has to be Fantasy Bob… (Surely he means favourite captain ever……..Ed)

u15s - 2015 Rob relives every moment In all my involvement over the years at Carlton - playing, captaining, parenting, socialising, quizzing... the Under 15s ECB Cup adventure was undoubtedly the most memorable. Our ECB Cup journey started with a challenging trip to Arbroath. This was a remarkable game as, after a typically classy 50 from Tom Simpson and some late power hitting from Gregor Shand led us to an impressive 135-5 off our 20 overs, Arbroath never looked like chasing them down despite only losing one wicket, and that was to a runout! This meant we had qualified for Scottish finals day. I couldn’t be there, so Fraggle took over coaching duties and inspired the lads to two almost perfect performances. First against Kinross, then our perennial nemesis Grange were second best by a long way, after bowling masterclasses from Callum Everett, Angus Beattie, Tristram Holden and Saif Khan. We were Scottish Champions! In the next round we were drawn at home to the best team from Durham, South Shields. Another great, Drummo, kindly spoke to the lads in the Grange Loan sheds before the game and reminded the boys to fight to the end. How right he was. Here is the original match report: So 6 needed off the last over – in effect only 5 as long as South Shields didn’t lose another wicket. With Saif bowled out it was left to Sam Marchbank to bowl the final over. His first ball was a beauty as it took Appleby’s edge and was caught by Tom. Up went the umpire’s finger to cue huge celebrations. However, square leg umpire Wilson had spotted a man short in the ring ... no ball! Surely Carlton’s last chance gone? Next ball Appleby hit out and came back for a second to get back on strike, leaving his partner stranded. 81 for 8 – just 4 runs needed. Next ball came flying off the middle of the big batsman’s bat – it looked all over but Olly Brown at long off came running round to take a brilliant catch. Next ball saw an inside edge into the pads, a panicked run and Tom stooped down to take off the bails. Somehow Carlton had won and the cheers from the home crowd surely wakened the neighbours from their peaceful Sunday afternoon slumbers. Next week - On to the next round…