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Sunday 27th April saw Titwood begin their League campaign by travelling to Ayr to play Cambusdoon in WDCU Division 2. Following last season’s dramatic relegation (by 1 point or 0.09 of a percent), hopes were high of getting the season off to a good start. At 139/4 and chasing 152 to win, things looked great – 148 all out was not so great.

The day began well with new Captain Tim Hart winning the toss and electing to field first. Harmanjit Singh picked up the first wicket of the season – clean bowled. His 7 over spell became 8, then 9, then just one more…and another – before he came off 1 over short of the maximum 15 allowed. 14-4-25-2 was a great return for someone who had not bowled more than 10 overs for a number of seasons. At the other end debutant Paul Tyler was unlucky not to pick up any wickets as he bowled well despite a rather wet run-up. Mark Williams replaced Paul and picked up a couple of wickets in his first spell. Meanwhile, Tim replaced Harmanjit and picked up 3 for 41. Haroon Sher then had to replace Mark due to the ECB bowling restriction regulations and duly picked up 1 for 24 in a good 7 over spell. The good bowling by all the bowlers was, for the most part, backed up by some good fielding as Cambusdoon posted 151/8 off their 50 overs.

As usual at Ayr, their chef provided an excellent tea. The danger of this was that the Titwood openers may have over-eaten but Michael Borthwick and David McArthur appeared to have judged it just right as they started the reply well. McArthur was first to fall, as he was well-caught at square-leg for 13. Harmanjit Singh only added 1 before he was caught behind – 35/2 after 9 overs. Imran Farid made 22 before he was out with the score at 75 and when Michael was out for 35 with the score at 89/4 things still looked good. With Haroon Sher 16*, Hugh Fulton 26* and the score at 139/4, Titwood were in an un-beatable position – or so they thought!

Hugh was caught trying to hit a six and Dave Forsyth was run out with the score on 139. Next to go was Haroon – caught at point. Andrew Scobie was next to go – bowled for 0. With the score at 142/8, surely the captain would guide his side to victory? No. After 2 wides at the other end, Tim was out lbw first ball. 144/9. Then came the mini revival as Paul Tyler and Mark Williams put on 4 in 3 overs. Just as thoughts were beginning to turn to the great escape, Mark flicked one off his hip and was caught at short square leg. 148 all out – with the last 6 wickets falling for 9 runs in 7 overs!

After such a remarkable collapse, Titwood deserved to lose and Cambusdoon had fought hard for their win. Their win will be slightly hollow though – due to 3 of their 1st XI playing in the fixture. On the Saturday in the SNCL match v Carlton, Andi McElnea (had opened the batting and bowled 9 overs), Ross Mitchell (had picked up a wicket) and Callum Leck had also been involved. Cambusdoon certainly can’t claim they had no other players available to play on the Sunday as 5 of their promising juniors had been netting while the drama unfolded.

The League’s response? “Despite being raised at several AGM's and EGM's…there are currently NO RESTRICTIONS that stop what happened.” The biggest question this leaves is how Titwood should approach the 3 remaining Sunday fixtures they have? Playing the entire 1st XI (except the Professional) does however appear to be an option that the League will allow!

Next up for Titwood is GU Staff at Garscube. And with Hugh Fulton and Mark Williams not available and Harmanjit Singh’s bowling spell impressing the 1st XI skipper who was watching, who knows what may happen (and what team may take the field) this coming weekend.