Caledonian North Regional Academy U16 versus Tayside/Fife Regional Academy U16

New Williamfield, Stirling 13th July 2010.
                                                                                                                                                                        The Northern arm of the Caledonian Academy continued their excellent tour form with a well fought victory over their Tayside/Fife counterparts at Stirling. Batting first T/F lost early wickets via a couple of run outs and were 3 down with just 4 runs on the board early in the piece. Alex Anderson (67 n.o) patiently rebuilt the innings helped by good knocks from Tom Brunton (42), and a late flurry from Mark Swan (19). 

Tidy bowling performances from Mark Tait (Huntly) 2-28, and Rory Saunders (Stoneywood Dyce) 1-27, backed up by good fielding restricted T/F to 194 from their 45 overs.
                                                                                                                                                                        Tayside/Fife opened their attack with some hostile bowling and struck early with a wicket but a useful partnership of 71 between Jack Mitchell (Huntly) 31, and Shaun Hicks (Banchory) 28, built a platform that was added to with useful contributions from Omar Afridi (Stoneywood Dyce) 29, Adi Mehta (Fochabers) 18, and an excellent finishing knock from Fraser Proud (Aberdeenshire) 30 n.o, seeing North home with a couple of overs to spare.

George Buchanan-Smith (1-25) was the pick of the T/F bowlers but some good cricket was played by both sides.

Kevin Davies, Head Coach of Caledonian Northern Academy said:
‘We have enjoyed two very good games of cricket at Stirling and our performances would indicate that there is talent to be seen and nurtured in and around the Grampian region. Our thanks go to Stirling C.C.C who have been excellent hosts, in particular to Catherine for her superb teas!’

Unfortunately the final two games of the CNRA tour at New Field Edinburgh, and Arbroath were both washed out.