DCC 2022 Season Review

The Season What Was

With another season in the books, it is time to reflect on yet another healthy season of varied success for our great club.

Following on from 2021, a year packed with great results, memories, and an overall record of 11 wins to only 2 defeats, we emerged from the highly competitive hibernation period of indoor games for the first meet up of the season: the AGM. In addition to honing the methods in the skills of dehydrating hydration, a customary serenading of club legend Bob Sheriff, and a brush with the afterlife thanks to a bottle of Polish Death via a Turkish hand, there was still time for the official business. A plethora of prizes, including the first annual DCC Writers Association Awards (DWAAs) which were handed out along-side a few tweaks to the committee – ushered in by Cameron Glasgow taking over from Bruce Harper as Vice Captain and Chris Hadley taking on the duties of Social Secretary. A grand night out.

After an extremely healthy turnout to christen the Academy’s new nets, whites were dawned for the first time for the curtain raiser of the Chairman’s XI vs Captain’s XI. Club newcomer, Sanjoy Prasad was the star of the day as he took a wonderful (yet unofficial, sorry Sanj) 6-for, while Paul Symington, Cameron Glasgow, Bruce Harper, and Rob Passe did some damaging work with the bat. Special mention to the boys brigade of Harris Harper, Cameron and Olly Fensom, and at later stages in the season Cameron and James Donaldson, and Ruben and Zane Prasad for joining the ranks of our La Masia-esque ‘academy’ system. The future is bright.

Carlton (H) 17th of April

The first competitive game of the season saw us take on a foe we had not seen in a number of years. After being sent into the field, the DCC crosshairs needed no early alterations as a clinical bowling effort spearheaded by Marcus Tinsley and debutant Ross McGarvie reduced the guests to 101 for 8 after 30. In reply, a few early wickets raised the heart rates, but a steady 43 run 7th wicket stand from the skilful pair of Symington and Glasgow saw us home with plenty of overs and wickets to spare. DCC Victory by 4 wickets

B/F: Tinsley, 3 for 15 | T/S: Glasgow, 21 MOTM: Tinsley

The 40 Club XL (H) 8th of May

We looked to continue on an 11 month win-streak as we squared of against the worlds largest

wandering cricket club. With the world in attendance thanks to our guests steaming device (ask your kids), a bowling effort packed with poise and power saw the visitors reduced to a medium as they were left at 144 for 8 from their 35 overs. After a few controversial moments, we were left in need of a tow. Sandy Cunningham and Callum Weir put us in position to strike, but a middle order collapse severely turned the tide. Tim Dillion and Tom Hall nearly pulled the rabbit from the hat, but alas they would fall short of the mark.

40 Club Victory by 20 Runs

B/F: Dunn, 3 for 16 | T/S: Cunningham, 25 DCC MOTM: Cunningham

Freuchie CC (A) 15th of May

After our previous win-streak went out the window, we ventured into a deepest darkest Fife to start another. Our opponents were packed with

youthfulness and some middle order destructiveness from Tinsley, Cunningham, and Bruce Harper sent them back to school, literally, as we posted a huge 224 for 3 from our 30 overs. The bowling effort was clinical, and by the halfway stage our host’s incumbent batsmen dropped anchor in a bid keep their averages alive after the game was beyond saviour. Special mention to Robert ‘Bobb’ Turner who made his debut, and has since become an integral and willing solider in the DCC platoon. DCC Victory by 134(!) runs

T/S: Tinsley, 51* | B/F: Rourke, 1 for 11 MOTM: Tinsley

Kinross County CC (H) 29th of May

After a Cricket Scotland cancellation we made full use of the prepped wicket with a hastily arranged fixture against our oldest foes. Club stalwart Alan Douglas found early form with the bat, while the

eternally inform Weir only found the gaps on his way to an impressive unbeaten half-century which propped up an otherwise slightly under-par batting effort to see us finish on 140 for 6 from 30. In reply, Weir and Tim Dillon kept the top order on a tight leash and opened the door for Harper The Elder and Younger to damage the egos of the middle order packed with DCC loanees. Kinross saw out their overs, but fell short of the required mark.

DCC victory by 28 runs

T/S: Weir, 50* | B/F: Weir, 2 for 12 MOTM: Weir

Dollar Academy (N) 1st of June

The hotly anticipated quest for cricketing supremacy in our village rolled around as the calendar flipped over into June. After a we split last seasons series and only one 2022 fixture on the schedule, the prize of bragging rights was glistening

in the summer sun. A stellar opening stand of 62 from Captain Cunningham and Weir got the ball rolling early and often. A mid-innings change to the overs saw an increased impetus thank mainly to Chris Humphries (ending an 8 year DCC sabbatical) who sent the score on its way. A late collapse had the game perfectly poised as we ended our 25 overs with a score of 130 for 7. The junior Dollar cricketing side survived some tough early questions, but the 1st change pair of Charlie Dunn and especially Harper Snr raced through the academy crew. A late stand started to cause panic amongst the field but a wizardly piece of fielding from Hall sat the stand down and Harper applied the finishing touches to leave all the school all out for 103.

DCC victory by 27 runs

T/S: Cunningham, 30| B/F: Harper, 4 for 15 MOTM: Hall

Comrie (A) 19th of June

After a midweek cancellation against Kinross that created a window for a valuable inter-squad game we returned to competitive action against our old Perthshire friends. After being sent into bat we failed to find the biting point and stalled out of the gates. This all changed after Glasgow and Craig Smith put the foot to the floor as they accelerated to a powerful 100-run stand. Smith would ultimately walk off unbeaten to give way for Jack Smart who violently amassed a quick fire 49* to see us finish on 204 for 8 from 30. Our defence got off to an attacking start as Dunn and Dillon had the top order starving and after the first 14 overs our hosts could only mange a solitary run per over. The ever ominous Gregg Dunsire entered proceedings and read the last rights to the majority of the remaining batsmen to leave our hosts in need of a telescope to

see the required total. The finishing touches were applied and Comrie were left all out for 70. Domination.

DCC victory by 134 (again) runs

T/S: Smith, 74* | B/F: Dunsire, 4 for 14 MOTM: Smith

Crickockers CC (H, funnily enough) 26th of June
Continents collided as we squared off against a touring side all the way from Goa, India, via Durham. The conditions made our guest feel at home… if it was monsoon season, but we all persevered and armed with towels we took to the field first. The Double D opening pair kept our visitors at bay, but after the track started to soak of up the leaks from the clouds the Indians middle order began to make the now lifeless cherry sing. With the hefty 4th wicket stand claiming the egos,

energy, and unfortunately Hall’s front teeth, captain Cunningham delivered a run out straight from Houdini’s handbook to finally break the partnership. The final overs went by and our guest finished their 30 with a great score of 229 for 6. The reply got off to a safe and calculated start. However when Rourke was given out leg-before halfway down the track the DCC tower started to tumble. Smart and Douglas gave their best efforts, but in an unsurprising turn of events the Indians showed they had more of a eye for cricket than us Scots and we were bowled for an unfulfilled 89. The result was soon washed away as we took time to toast our newest trans-continental friendship with a nip of whisky from a ceremonial quaich and a healthy dose of post match refreshments.

Crickockers victory by a lot

B/F: Dillon, 2 for 20 | T/S: Smart, 19 DCC MOTM: N. Schellenberg (sodden scorer)

Hawick and Wilton CC (A) 10th of July

After the early July rain forced a cancellation against Bass Rock, we resumed competitive action in the Borders metropolis of Hawick- although judging by the wether it could have been Antigua! After a calculated start with the bat, a 3rd wicket- stand between Simon Breasley and Glasgow had the Teries sweltering. Unfortunately Breasley ham became a little less strung and retired hurt on 39, but after making the most of an extra life (or two) Glasgow finally fell for a staggering score of 81, the highest scoring knock in the post Covid era of DCC. Some late flurries saw us finish our 30 overs on a solid score of 178 for 5. The first half of the reply was right on schedule as we kept our hosts on a tight leash and sent the entire top order back to the pavilion as the score sat at 72/5 at the midway drinks break. However, after the late-afternoon sun

started to bake the minds of the DCC contingent, a headache of a 6th wicket stand heralded a borders revival. The stand passed the 100 mark, and soon after remained unbeaten over the finish line as we fell short with only a few overs remaining. Special mentions go to the off-spring of our Chairman, Cameron and James Donaldson (with the latter taking an awesomely acrobatic catch) as they both made their DCC debuts.

Hawick and Wilton victory by 5 wickets

T/S: Glasgow 81 | B/F: Dunn, 2 for 19 DCC MOTM: Glasgow

Hillhead CC (H) 17th of July

After back-to-back defeats we welcomed a new opponent to Dollar in the shape of the Glaswegians of Hillhead. Adam Buchanan-Smith put his new aerodynamic chassis to full use to get the innings on its way, and the effort was accelerated by the

destructive pair of Glasgow and Smart. A late lull in the scoring left a few runs out in the middle, but a final score of 162 for 9 from the 30 overs set up a finely poised second half. The reply got off to an assured start after we picked up a few early scalps, but the visitors would soon begin to smell blood in their chase. By the midway stage Ray Winston’s home of the in-play odds had our guests firmly below evens. But cometh the hour, cometh the man as Hall’s relentless accuracy and heightened knowledge of the inner workings of a bat turned the tie on its head as he and Smart were not burdened by any pressure as they carved through the middle and late order to secure a brilliant DCC victory. Special mention goes to the Commodore Nicholas Schellenberg and his phenomenal enthusiasm on debut.

DCC victory by 25 runs

T/S Glasgow: 44 | B/F: Hall, 4 for 7

MOTM: Hall

Comrie (H) 31st of July

6 weeks on from our first encounter we welcomed back our Perthshire friends to finish of the season series. After a balanced start, former Dollarite(?) Dollarer(??) Dollarwegian(???) R. Campbell took control of the innings as his hereditary knowledge of our pitch proved fruitful. Cunningham’s double wicket haul provided a late burst of momentum and added a much needed spark as we eventually limited our guests to a score of 205 for 6 from 30. The start of reply diverted straight past assured, took the bypass round shaky, and arrived straight in Tumbling Bridge as our entire top order toppled over one by one. Dillon and Prasad helped turn torture into embarrassment, but alas we faulted well short of flattery.

Comrie victory by 82 runs

T/S: Dillon, 33 | B/F: Cunningham, 2 for 16 DCC MOTM: E. Xtra

Kinross CCC (A) 10th of August

We once again traveled to the banks of Loch Leven to square of against Kinross in a T20 on what was a glorious summers eve. After a steady start that was marred by a couple of cheap wickets, the consistent duo of Smith and Tinsley turned the fielders into forensic investigators as they frequented the ball with the surrounding fields of wheat. Harper Snr and Callum Kirby too joined in on the act and sent our score to an impressive 176 for 6. The reply got off to a clinical and frugal start and would stay that way for the rest of our hosts knock. Almost every bowler who turned over their arm picked up a scalp, with Prasad picking up a 2-for as we limited Kinross to a lowly 86 for 6. One way traffic.

DCC victory by 92 runs

T/S: Smith, 62* | B/F: Prasad, 2 for 11 MOTM: Smith

Bass Rock (A) 14th of August

We returned to our new, yet great friends in North Berwick with sights firmly set on conquering last years impressive victory and equally impressive efforts of drinking the Firth of Forth dry. After being sent into bat the innings followed a path that kept both sides content. Smith and Tinsley forwarded the cause, but a late order collapse left the game on a knife edge as we were limited to 143 for 9. Some mid-match replacements shifted the odds in the Rock’s favour, but our early bowling was, erm, rock solid. With the tide turning both literally and metaphorically, the North Berwick late order (which included an ex-Scotland international) steadied their ship and set course for a comeback. With only one wicket and 2 runs required Fensom

almost pulled the rabbit from the hat, but alas the ball just missed Tinsley’s outstretched mitt and we fell in agonising fashion. Thanks to our Cricket Correspondent, Fensom, for providing the details and write up of this encounter while I was cheating on DCC with my other non-cricketing team… cough, 10th best Pony Club Jnr Games in the UK, cough.

Bass Rock victory by 1 wicket

T/S: Smith, 39 | B/F: Tinsley, 3 for 22 DCC MOTM: Tinsley

Kinross CCC (A) 22nd of August

After our previous visit 12 days prior we returned to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond Leven. A mixed start with the bat gave way for dominance as Cunningham and Glasgow had the ball stuck in the middle of the bat. Both men raced past 50, and some fine late batting from Breasley saw us reach a

solid total of 176 for 6 from 30. Breasley took his fine form with the bat into his bowling effort as he picked up 2 early scalps. The squeeze continued as Cunningham suffocated any life out of the Kinross attack. Hall’s metronomic consistency shone through once again as his 3-for all but confirmed (yet another) victory over our oldest foes.

DCC victory by 69 (nice) runs

T/S: Glasgow, 63 | B/F: Hall, 3 for 18 MOTM: Cunningham

The Ship Inn (A) 3rd of September

Ohh DCC do love to be beside the seaside as our fleet returned to the beach at Elie for yet another encounter of beach cricket. Some high quality bowling to the bow of the wicket caused our hosts some early issues, with Dunsire and G. Buchanan- Smith both finishing with double wicket voyages. The Ship would drop anchor at a self-described

under-par score of 134 for 9. The reply immediately navigated itself into murky waters as the top order returned to shore without any treasure. The middle order then just about capsized the entire flotilla, leaving us with only 1 wicket remaining and still 85 runs shy. Wheatley and, predominantly, Glasgow began to salvage some of the wreckage, but after Wheatley was left marooned in the middle of the wicket the DCC vessel was finally torpedoed.

Ship Inn victory by 38 runs

T/S: Glasgow, 38* | B/F: G. Buc-Smith, 2 for 11 DCC MOTM: Glasgow

The Grange CC (A) 10th of September

Our last game of the season on these shores brought us to the home of Scottish cricket. Most of our top order got the required start, but unfortunately no one was able to convert their admirable starts into fruitful finishes. A late flurry pushed the score past

100, but only just as we were bowled for 109. A troublesome opening stand proved too stubborn for our opening bowlers. A midway breakthrough was made, and Symington and Hall’s double act gave us something to celebrate. But it would prove to be too little too late and we were resigned to a healthy defeat.

The Grange victory by 5 wickets

T/S: Harper, 23 | DCC MOTM: Symington | B/F: Symington, 2 for 11

Ibiza CC (Tour) 15th & 16th of September ***REDACTED***

Once again we took to the skies and headed off to the White Isle.

Our last game of the season on these shores brought us to the home of Scottish cricket. Most of our top order got the required start, but unfortunately no one was able to convert their admirable starts into fruitful finishes as Cameron Glasgow brought up yet another 50 but unfortunately no one was able to convert their admirable starts into fruitful finishes. A late flurry pushed the score past 100, but only just as we were bowled for 109.

A troublesome opening stand proved so close, yet so far. We returned the next day to be met with a thunderous shower of rain. Cunningham and Watson were clearly feeling no effects

Most of our top order got the required start, but unfortunately no one was able to convert their admirable starts into fruitful finishes. as they both piled up the runs. finishes.

Most of our top order got the required start, but unfortunately no one was able to convert JOK in their admirable starts into fruitful

Syme had packed his intimidating pace. And in the end we were well and truly beaten.

Stats, Quotes, and Gratitude to follow in the very near future!