On the summer’s most temperate day so far, the Dollar 1st XI took on an experienced MCC Scotland side in an extended version of the game that took place on Wednesday 20 May at Dollar Academy.
A time game allows for three different results on the day; it is customary for the MCC to bat first, and then try and get the school side out in the remaining overs before play concludes at 6pm. In the first innings, the MCC (helped by a chanceless 92 from Bryn Lockie) reached a total of 219 before declaring with 2 wickets down. Both left-arm seam bowlers, Toby Douglas (FII) and Lachlan Kelly (FIII), acquitted themselves well, and Euan Dawtrey (FVI) took the wicket of the MCC Captain Ryan Watson in the later stages of the game: a good scalp for Euan and his 11th wicket of the season.
A number of FIII boys had the chance to represent the 1st XI throughout the day: an opportunity which should encourage them in their cricketing journey in the school years ahead.
During the lunch break, Sandy Bell presented the Dollar XI Captain Kyle Hinkson (FVI) with the autobiography of legendary cricketer Sir Gary Sobers. Kyle (the Harry Bell scholar) will certainly store this gift alongside his memories of playing cricket at Dollar. Dollar’s Rector also took the opportunity, over lunch, to welcome the MCC during his address to the guests, parents and boys in attendance. A cricket enthusiast himself, Mr Knapman’s speech impressed upon the boys that they would need to show real resolve at the crease when it was their turn to bat. He also reminded them that even if they did not win the game, they could still seek solace from a well-earned draw …
Play resumed. The Dollar innings didn’t start well, however, as Joel Stedman was caught at silly mid-off without scoring a run. A determined Kyle Hinkson, short of a few runs this season, joined Ben Pearson (FIV) at the crease, and they both proceeded to see off the opening bowling attack of Henry Philip and Graham Quinn. In an MCC match against Glenalmond earlier this this summer, Graham Quinn had taken an incredible 9 wickets. On this occasion, however, the solid defensive qualities of the two Dollar batsmen kept Quinn out, and (in the end) all the other remaining bowlers over the course of the afternoon’s play.
Filling the unforgiving minutes as worthily as they could, the Dollar boys took the score to a respectable 121 for 1 before the umpires called time on the day’s play. This very stoic performance was clearly in response to the Rector’s comments at lunch. Some thought it might also be attributed to the steely determination of both Dollar batsmen not to give their wickets away cheaply (and, along the way, improve their batting averages for the season.)