Down Comes the Curtain
With the 2021 season in the books, it is time to reflect on a season of change and great success for the mighty Dollar Cricket Club.
After only managing two games last season due to the little known virus COVID-19 the club was looking forward to a full season and emerged from hibernation in early April for some ‘pre-season’ nets and honing of the methods of hydration.
The first official business of the season came on the 5th of May with the Annual General Meeting. The meeting heralded a committee reshuffle through a host of new appointments. After his years of tremendous work in the top job, Adam Buchanan-Smith stepped down as Chairman and his spot was taken by Mike Donaldson. Other changes included, Sandy Cunningham elected as Captain, with Bruce Harper serving as his Vice in more ways than one, Paul Fensom moved into the Deputy Chairman role, and Charlie Dunn took up the mantle of Social Secretary and able scribe of this year’s reports.
Whites were donned for the first time a couple of weeks later as the annual Captains vs Vice Captains inter-squad match helped get some eyes back in. It is always great of Buchanan-Smith to procure the meats, and Jason Syme to fire up the BBQ as we raised the curtain in a buoyant mood.
Dollar Academy, Part I
As the calendar rolled into June the season got off to a rusty start. Despite Jack Smart’s valiant knock with the bat, the club were no match for a talented Dollar Academy 1st XI, and fell to a 9 wicket defeat.
Top Scorer: Smart, 21 | DCC MOTM: Smart | Best Figures: T. Douglas, 1 for 38
Comrie CC (H)
The first win would not prove that elusive, as a few days later we took on our great friends Comrie CC. A blistering bowling effort, spearheaded by Dunn’s 5-for saw the Perthshire outfit dismissed for 104. Chasing a modest total the Bats, Buchanan-Smith and Cameron Glasgow most notably, comfortably knocked the ball around to see DCC pick up win number one through a 6 wicket victory with plenty of overs to spare.
Top Scorer: Buchanan-Smith, 22** | MOTM: Dunn | Best Figures:: Dunn, 5 for 18
McGlynn Brothers (H)
Our next fixture would come against a new opponent, the McGlynn Brothers. Despite the gloomy conditions, the match provided plenty of entertainment as most of the top order wandered past the retirement mark of 25 and DCC raced to a grand total of 179/2 from 20 overs. Before a ball of the reply was bowled, the Brothers had their work cut out as the skies began spitting, and the light was quickly fading. This, and some fine bowling from the whole team, limited the Brothers to 115/7. The typical Scottish summers eve did not spoil the post match BBQ, and a new friendship was quickly being formed.
T/S: Smart, 27 | MOTM: Cunningham | B/F: Cunningham, 2 for 16
Dollar Academy, Part II
That weekend we had a shot at redemption against the school, as we squared off in a longer match. The 1st XI opened the innings of what was quickly proving to be a much more competitive fixture. Some quality death bowling saw the youngsters finish their 25 overs with 170 runs on the board. The reply got off to an assured start through Craig Smith and Calum Weir. However, after Weir fell the Academy looked set to start sailing away, but as Smart joined Smith the pair began exhibiting some real class and increased the dosages of venom. With 32 required from the last 18 balls the atmosphere on the boundary reached a fever point, but the pair kept their heads and saw DCC over the line for a famous victory with 2 balls to spare. A special mention also goes to Connor Adam as he played in not only his first DCC, but his first ever cricket match.
T/S Smith, 78* | MOTM: Smith | B/F: Weir, 2 for 29
Kinross CC (H)
With three wins on-the-bounce we looked to end the home section of the season on a high against our old rivals Kinross CC. Despite Weir’s best efforts, he was supported only by Extra’s and it seemed that most of the batting lineup were allergic to the ball and the complete collapse saw DCC skittled for a paltry 83. The odds were firmly in Kinross’ favour and hopes of a DCC victory were slim, yet a string of middle innings wickets opened the door to let a slither of light in, but after a couple of pricey overs, the door was slammed shut. Kinross saw it home with 4 wickets to spare.
T/S: Weir, 35 | DCC MOTM: Weir | B/F: Syme, 3 for 17
Bass Rock (A)
After the midsummer break, DCC got the season back underway as we travelled in Premier League comfort to North Berwick and squared off against our new friends Bass Rock CC. After electing to bowl, it was not long until serious inroads were made. Rock solid bowling was sprinkled with some moments of the spectacular. Harper in particular had jaws fixed firmly in the dropped position (more on that later). The suffocating work continued and Bass Rock were limited to 77. The reply got off to a bumpy start, but Harper continued to be a thorn in their side, and he and Smart put DCC on the verge of victory. After losing a few cheap wickets, Fensom righted proceedings and ensured the second half of the season got off on the right foot. After the match DCC were set loose amongst the locals, and we gave an almighty go at drying out North Berwick.
T/S: Harper, 24 | MOTM: Harper | B/F: Dunn 3 for 8
Comrie CC (A)
A week later we ventured into Perthshire for the return leg against Comrie. Prior to the match we paid tribute to the late, great Charlie Gibbons – the lifeblood of cricket in Comrie. Our batting effort got off to a steady, yet confident start… aside from the, yes-no-yes…no, run out. This all changed once Glasgow got his eye in and began to pepper the outfield with a barrage of boundaries. Defending a score of 150, the bowling reply was clinical. Birthday boy Dunn was the pick of the bowlers in terms of wickets, in addition to fine efforts from Simon Breasley and Marcus Tinsley. The squeeze continued and Comrie were dismissed for 76.
T/S: Glasgow, 59* | MOTM: Glasgow | B/F: Dunn, 3 for 27
McGlynn Brothers (A)
After a cancellation against Kinross, DCC travelled to the bright lights of Edinburgh to have a midweek rematch against a McGlynn Brothers side mixed with a few DCC stalwarts in Buchanan-Smith, Glasgow, and Arnold. The short outfield served up a host of boundaries, and the McGlynn brothers ended their innings on a good score of 167/5. The chase would prove to be exhilarating as a number of DCC bats navigated their way past the retirement mark of 25 with ease. A few moments of magic occurred as both Paul Symington and Tinsley sent the ball flying over the north boundary wall and into the Edinburgh rush hour traffic. As the overs crept towards completion, Murray McBreathy; who looked a natural in his DCC debut with the bat (and ball), and latterly Rob Morris, and Gregg Dunsire all played their role and got DCC over the line in the penultimate over to extend the winning run.
T/S: Breasley/Symington, 27* | MOTM: McBreathy | B/F: McBreathy, 2 for 18
Stirling County CC (A)
As the summer began winding down a short trip along the Ochils was made as DCC took on a talented Stirling County CC side. However, the Forthbank outfit had no answers for the DCC top order as Smith, Weir, and Symington showed supreme skill as they all made unbeaten half-centuries and would not have broken a sweat had it not been a scorcher. Good late innings knocks from Breasley and Morris pushed the total up to a brilliant 215/2. Breasley and Tim Dillion kept the Stirling top order on a leash as they pilled on some early pressure. While, Gregg “Deadly” Dunsire displayed his usual lethal bowling to kill any mid innings momentum. Weir made light work of the tail as his 4-for put the cherry atop a dominate 51 run victory.
T/S: Symington/Weir/Smith, 50* | MOTM: Weir | B/F: Weir, 4 for 11
The Ship Inn (Beach Cricket)
A trip to the seaside was next on the calendar as we squared off against the Ship Inn on Elie Beach. An excellent effort with the ball, and some stellar field placement saw the hosts dismissed for 110. The experience in DCC XI proved fruitful as this was the hosts lowest score of the season. However, things quickly went down hill. The majority of our batting lineup were left castled in the sand as the Ship sailed through the Clackmannanshire crew. A late flutter from Phil Rourke helped salvage some of the wreckage, but with no others able to drop anchor, DCC were left stranded on the beach – 56 all out. Given our hosts fine hospitality the match was soon a distant memory and a grand day out was had by all.
T/S: Rourke, 19 | DCC MOTM: Rourke | B/F: Al Stewart, 2 for 3
Northern Counties CC (Tour, T20)
DCC has a storied history of taking expeditions to far flung and exotic locations, and this year was no exception as we made the long trek up the A9 to the party capital (at least for a few days) of the Highlands, Inverness (beating the stiff competition of Caithness and Dingwall.) The Friday match itself did resemble somewhat of an inter-squad game as the hosts could not get a full squad together given the Friday mid afternoon start time. However, 2 teams were picked and Captain Cunningham’s team represented DCC. The match itself was packed with intrigue, as the NCCC-hybrid team achieved a first innings score, propped up mainly by Rourke and Morris, of 156/5 to leave the match on a knife edge. The reply got off to a quick start, but as the weather worsened the tourists were anxiously awaiting takeoff. The match was creeping towards a NCCC victory, but as the retired Cunningham returned he turned the tide and unleashed three consecutive mammoth maximums to see the game home with 7 balls to spare.
T/S: Cunningham, 44* | MOTM: Cunningham | B/F: Dunn, 2 for 13
Northern Counties CC (Tour, 35 overs)
Less than 24 hours after the previous encounter we returned, rather bleary eyed, to the fantastic Northern Meeting Point Ground and squared off against a top-of-the-table NCCC side that was now packed with talent. However, they were still a couple short and a host of DCC tourists would sub in and out to prop up the numbers. With DCC sent into bat, it was immediately obvious that the batsmen’s work would be cut out. Arnold and Tinsley formed a solid middle order partnership to get the score close to 100, while debutant Callum Kirby and Dillion got the tail wagging to add some vital runs as DCC were dismissed for a below par 120. To end the season on a high the bowling and fielding effort by the River Ness needed to be monstrous. Syme and Breasley got the ball roaring early, and often, as they sent the skilful top order packing. Tinsley and Dillion continued the mid-innings squeeze and made a once unlikely victory seem quite probable. Spurred on by the raucous atmosphere in the grandstand, Dunn and Tom Hall cleared out the remaining Highlanders well short of the mark. A special mention also goes to Simon Wilton as he made his DCC debut in the match. A phenomenal effort with the ball saw us end the season on a high in the Highlands. Capped off with a ‘quiet’ night mixing with the locals.
T/S: Arnold, 39 | MOTM: Kirby | B/F: Dunn, 2 for 3
SEASON RECORD
Played 11 | Won 9 | Lost 2
Longest Winning Run: 6 (ongoing)
Highest Score: 215 vs Stirling
Lowest Opponent Score: Bass Rock 77
SEASON RECORD (Beach Cricket)
Played 1 | Won 0 | Lost 1
SEASON STATS
Leading Runs Scorers
179 – C. Smith @ N/A (unbeaten x4)
150 – C. Weir @ 75
136 – S. Cunningham @ 19.5
111 – J. Smart @ 27.8
103 – C. Glasgow @ 25.8
Leading Wicket Takers
15 – C. Dunn
9 – C. Weir and S. Brealsey
7 – S. Cunningham and J. Syme
6 – G. Dunsire
4 – T. Dillion and M. Tinsley
Appearances
10 – S. Cunningham and C. Dunn
8 – T. Dillion
7 – S. Breasley and C. Glasgow
6 – A. Buchanan Smith, G. Dunsire, and J. Smart
5 – P. Fensom
2021 Debutants
Connor Adam
Callum Kirby
Murray McBreathy
Simon Wilton
***THE DCC WRITERS ASSOCIATION AWARDS***
(DWAAs)
MOMENT OF THE YEAR
Bruce Harper’s spectacular caught and bowled vs Bass Rock
On the weekend that the Tokyo Olympics got under way, Harper had clearly been taking tips from the gymnasts as he acrobatically flew into the air to take a somersaulting screamer of a snag. Words cannot begin do it justice, a true moment of magic.
BATTING PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Craig Smith’s match winning unbeaten 78 vs DA 1st XI (Part II)
A colossal innings under immense pressure. He began by assuredly taking what was offered by the bowlers, but as the overs diminished and the run rate rose, tensions were high. But cometh the hour, cometh the man and Smith unleashed a string a scintillating strokes and rightly hit the winning runs.
BOWLING PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Charlie Dunn’s comeback 5 for vs Comrie (H)
In only his second outing after a string of injuries dating back to 2018, the youngster wowed the onlookers as he seemed to be a new man with the cherry in his mitt. Displaying skill that surprised some, Dunn tore through the middle order as he ended his spell with fine figures of 5 for 18 off 6.
SHOT(S) OF THE YEAR
Adam Buchanan-Smith and Sandy Cunningham going huge vs NCCC (T20)
Playing in front of the picturesque grand old pavilion/grandstand both men gritted their teeth, timed it to perfection, and initiated take off as they sent the ball soaring over the stand and out of the ground.
DEBUT OF THE YEAR
Callum Kirby’s dream start to end the season
Despite only making his first appearance in the final game of the season, one of Dollars biggest names quickly established himself as a key cog in the DCC wheel. His 11 runs pushed the score from average to competitive, but his real star turn was his time in the slips as he took 2 fine catches. An exciting future awaits…
GAME OF THE YEAR
Dollar Academy Part II
Despite being on the receiving end of a thrashing 10 days prior, DCC did not dwell on the drubbing and got redemption in the form of a classic. A much improved bowling effort gave us a chance, but Weir, Smart, and especially Smith were the stars of the show as they looked like pros and embarked on a nerve jangling run chase to confirm the victory with only 2 balls to go.
Finally…with thanks
It is safe to say that this season was rife with success and it would not be possible without the commitment of all members. The turnout for games and nets all summer was high despite the pandemic. While some clubs are unfortunately struggling for numbers, the state of DCC remains strong through the continued dedication of the experienced pros, and the steady stream of new blood coming through.
All this is due to the hard work of many in the club, in particular the top brass. Chairman Mike Donaldson has become a great figure-head as he leads the club from the front, in addition to scoring almost every game. Also, the efforts of Captain Sandy Cunningham, who ensured that turnout was consistently good, that a fair and competitive XI was selected, and his valuable cricketing knowledge always gave us a great shot at glory through his batting line-ups, bowling changes, and field placements.
The Chairman,
“Ladies and gentlemen of Dollar CC and, keeping PC, everyone in between! It has been a huge honour to take over the Chair from ABS. We owe him a huge debt for all that he has done to put the club in such a strong position!
This has been a really successful season both on and off the pitch. Sandy has done a great job captaining and it’s been great to have so many players, including new faces, gracing the CC. There is a huge amount of work that goes into running a successful club and thanks to all who have contributed and participated.
Highlights include picking up some great new fixtures, great Match reports, a hugely successful tour with no arrests (just!) and everyone who makes this club great! The year started with a BBQ and finished with chicken soup. Enough said!”
The Captain,
“Great season everyone. Thank you for making it a special one… OHH DCC!” Followed with, “A dozen words speak a million truths.”
Both men did an outstanding job in seamlessly adapting to their new positions and were integral to this seasons successes.
Thanks also go to the rest of the committee; VC Bruce Harper for his work in supporting the skipper, Phil Rourke for looking after the pennies, Nichol Wheatley for keeping everything organised as club secretary, Alan Douglas for compiling a competitive fixture list, while also serving as keeper of dignity, editor and uploader of these blurbs, Charlie Dunn for his work as both social secretary and club journalist, Gregg Dunsire for organising a fantastic tour in the midst of COVID, Tom Hall as he kept the equipment, especially the bats, in a fantastic state as Head of Maintenance, and last but not least, Paul Fensom who in his role of Deputy Chairman supported Donaldson admirably and helped keep up appearances through his position as Head of Procurement, which saw regular players presented with new baggy caps.
Thanks also go to Dollar Academy for our continued use of their wicket, nets and games hall, The Inn at Dollar for providing us with an atmospheric watering hole to wash away the defeats and celebrate the victories, and to our fantastic opponents as without them it would be impossible and pointless… to an extent.
The final piece of gratitude goes to club member Simon Wilton and his Dollar-based company SPW CHIMNEY SWEEPS as he very kindly sponsored this seasons’ high quality match balls that were a delight to bowl with.
Cheers for taking the time to read the reports and this mammoth season review. 2021 officially in the books, roll on 2022…
OHH DCC, OHH DCC,
OHH DCC IS WONDERFUL
C.D, DCC LWT 2021 🙂