Forres batsmen caught out

A TOUGH game against Highland saw Forres St Lawrence return with very little from their trip to Inverness on Saturday.

They crashed to a meager 47 all out chasing a total of 152 for 8.

Batting first, home openers Jon Crabtree and Stuart Catto got off the mark immediately from a wayward Rodd opening delivery but he soon tightened up and had Crabtree in some trouble when he came from his crease to play a ball which sped past the batsman and ended up with the keeper, who threw down the stumps – only for the appeal to be turned down.

With fortune favouring Highland, Crabtree continued on his way, although he was very much more subdued than normal due to some fine bowling by Ross and Gus Farr. Catto never looked at ease on the unpredictable pitch, demonstrated by him leaving a delivery from Ross which went on to clean bowl him for 8.

Adam Park Elliot replaced Catto but Forres had a stranglehold on the batsmen; 30 off the first 10 overs moved on to 46 off 20 with the loss of a further two wickets when Park Elliot was skittled out by Farr and Rob Nixon was dismissed by Arron Roberts. Crabtree was holding up one end with Giridhar defending the other, and finally with the introduction of David Durance for Gus Farr’s defence was broken when he missed a straight one and was out lbw for 1.

Regan Francis looked to attack more, which seemed to encourage Crabtree to hit out, and a couple of fours and a six followed before he too fell victim to Durance, caught by Arron Roberts at long-on for a fortunate 56. Jon Paul partnered Francis as the score moved past the century but the quick flourish led to Paul’s downfall as he missed the straight ball, this time from Ian Roberts, lbw for 16, and Highland were 109 for 6.

Kenny Goodwin looked all at sea before he was bowled middle stump by Farr, and with Kenny Cameron looking to hit every delivery out of the ground the Forres bowlers did well to keep a lid on him before he was bowled by Ross for 11.

The Highland innings closed on 152 for 8, with Francis unbeaten on 33.

The task ahead would not normally be too onerous for Forres but the notorious pitch had already shown that one or two balls were flying off a length. The visiting openers had a good look before trying any shots. A fine four from Al Farr off his legs was followed by him top-edging a Nixon delivery for the bowler to claim.

Gus Farr came in and first ball got a snorter from Nixon which Farr neatly avoided, but as he bent backwards away from the ball his cap flew off, caught in the wind and took the bails off his wickets – out first ball for nought. Forres couldn’t believe the luck they were having, which wasn’t helped by Neil McGrath swiping at a Goodwin delivery and being bowled for just one.

Tony Farr fended off a delivery from Nixon, first ball, but somehow the back of the bat caught the ball and chipped it up for Crabtree to catch at slip. Forres were reeling at 15 for 4 in just the ninth over and utter humiliation stared them in the face as Derek Ross approached the crease. But a word from his skipper and Ross settled down to bat well, never looking in any trouble, although the task of scoring was difficult, knowing one slip could bring yet another wicket.

When Ross finally fell to a Catto delivery he had helped to double the score and moved Forres along to 36 for 5. David Durance joined his skipper and they eked a few runs out before Gerrard went to a sharp slip catch by Crabtree from Paul. The following four wickets fell within two overs as Forres failed to gain even a single batting point from the game, finishing on 47 all out.

They will be hoping they can regain their form from earlier in the season at home to Huntly on Saturday.