THE COLL CRICKET CLUB v THE UNITED KINGDOM

On the 20th August Robert Bogdan brought his United Kingdom side of all stars, otherwise known as the Aberdeenshire Rejects, to play cricket against a selected side drawn from all corners of the island.

Such was the competition for places in the Coll side that the island had to allow some of its most talented players to appear for the opposition.

The day dawned cold and wet but thanks to the dedication of the ground staff the pitch was ready for play by 2.OOpm, when it was still cold and wet. Fortunately driving wind kept the rain to an acceptable minimum, and after a short delay to remove overnight cowpats, play commenced with The United Kingdom being asked to bat. A torrid opening spell from Brian Maclntyre and John English failed to get the break through. Neil Morrison took a wicket with his second ball which totally bemused Colin Wheeler James with sheer pace. The pitch continued to play well (from the Coll point of view), with the ball lifting dangerously from any length and sometimes not at all. The Connell brothers took the score to 38 without further loss before Ron Mitchell uprooted Jeremy Connell's off stump. Charles Bristol, representing Aberdeen University, had managed 18 when Mike Taylor surprised himself and the crowd by holding a difficult caught and bowled opportunity. The enthusiasm of the crowd was uncontrollable and despite a polished 14 from Frank Carpenter wickets fell steadily. Geoffrey Garnett, Donald MacKinnon, Colin Stewart, and Neil Galbraith were removed cheaply. Ali Anderson, resembling the famous W.G. Grace, achieved more value than a golden duck being run out without facing a ball. This collapse owed much to Coll's sharp fielding, Andrew Cranston's bowling, Julian Donnelly's groundwork and Alexander Bristol's eight ball overs. Penny Price was outstanding behind the stumps. Despite Coll's efforts Robert Bogdan restored some respectability as the United Kingdom struggled to 109 all out.

An excellent tea was served between innings and the two Project Trust mini-buses. The wind and rain continued to provide that special Coll ingredient to the game and, it was decided that conditions couldn't get much worse, play was resumed with John Wheeler-James and Penny Price giving the island team a stylish start. John English, more at home shouting warnings of 'four' on the golf course than hitting them on the cricket pitch, found himself caught between the two decisions and was bowled. This brought Mike Taylor to the wicket in determined mood. Memories of Geoff Boycott flooded back as the runs continued to be accumulated in the face of foul weather and equally tested bowling. Brian Stove weighed in with 9, Neil Morrison with 7, and John Galbraith was unfortunate to be confused by the opposition skipper's evil spin bowling. Brian Maclntyre played over the top of one which swung with the tide. Mike Taylor unmoved by fading light advanced rapidly to an undefeated 25 with some briskly taken singles. Andrew Greaves attempting to break the cloud cover in the search for eternal victory was fortunate with his 31. The game ended with the home team five short of the required score as Coll's first cricket match ended in an exciting draw.

Although the game was over the competitive spirit resumed later that night in the Coll hotel. It must be seen as an impressive coup for British diplomacy that Jon Connell managed to be at his London Foreign Office desk on Monday morning, having persuaded a Tiree boat to collect half the team. and link with Cal Mac's cattle trip. The Coll Cricket Club hopes to resume play in August 1989. Fixtures versus The Wee Wildies, The Aberdeenshire Rejects, and The Rest of the World are being considered.