Dornoch will ‘come back stronger’ says club captain after loss at Fort Augustus
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Dornoch Cricket Club captain Chris Schleter says his side will “come back stronger” next year, after falling short of victory in the second of three competitive fixtures planned for the summer.
The North of Scotland Cricket new boys played their first competitive match for almost 30 years on April 14, finishing six runs short of a win against Skye & Lochalsh in their opening NoSCA Development Cup fixture.
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The Sutherland men returned to the field on Sunday, hosted by the second string of Fort Augustus CC at the Abbey Ground by the Highland Club in Fort Augustus.
But after all was told, Dornoch fell 23 runs short of the host’s total of 130 from 30 overs.
Despite the result, captain Chris Schleter spoke with pride about his teammates’ efforts.
He said: “We gave it a red hot go today but just fell short again. I’m really proud of the effort of all the lads and there’s real talent in this team.
“There are a couple of things we need to tighten up in the field, but to have run some talented opposition so close in our first two competitive games is a huge achievement and we will be back stronger next year for the experience.”
The home side opened the batting with Ross Lavin and Dave Peers.
Dornoch’s Cameron Hook and Phil Scott took the new ball for the visitors.
The batting pair were going well, putting on a partnership of 39 before Scott got the breakthrough, clean bowling Peers for 13.
Wickets then began to fall as number three batsman, Nilesh Pote was bowled by Schleter for nine, and Scott claimed a second victim trapping Oswald Crato’s leg before wicket for five.
Harshal Vaidya was then dismissed for 12 off the bowling of Colin Fraser, caught by Scott.
Fraser also took the next wicket, dismissing opener Lavin for 34, caught and bowled for the highest individual score for the home side.
Although wicketkeeper Mayank Varma hit hard and quick, his 24 was ended by wily veteran Matt Millward before Schleter, twice, Millward again and Hook mopped up the tail for 15 runs in total.
All out for 130 in 28 overs at the change of innings.
In reply, Dornoch opened with Stuart Tode and Cameron Hook.
Both players paced their innings in a similar vein to the home team. Hook was dismissed for 14, clean bowled by Osh Mackenzie with the score at 31-1.
Scott joined Tode at the crease and the pair added 11 before the opener was dismissed for 20.
Millward now joined Scott at the crease and the pair added 31 together before Millward fell for 13 caught by Varma, bowled by Vaidya, with the score at 73-3.
At 20 overs, light rain started, and persisted, but after consultation with both captains play continued.
Despite Schleter’s battling 18, the final five wickets fell for three runs and the Sutherland side finished 23 runs short of what would have been a memorable victory.
Fort Augustus - Ronan Blakey, Oswald Crasto, Ross Lavin, George Man, Osh Mackenzie, Dave Peers, William Peers-Wood, Nilesh Pote, James Ryder, Hashal Vaidya, Mayank Varma
Dornoch - Stuart Tode, Cameron Hook, Chris Schleter, Matt Millward, Phil Scott, Colin Fraser, Jamie Fraser, Scott Mathieson, Lewis Andrew, Philip Fenech, James Hart
