After the cold of the previous week it was a glorious sunny day for our friendly with neighbours Fauldhouse.  It was also the day we welcomed our Overseas amateur from South Africa, Ruan Erasmus.

The plan had been a T20 but we decided to extend to 25 overs per side with Bobby winning the toss and electing to bat.  Bobby opened with Fahad and struggled to rotate the strike, Fahad was the first to fall in the 6th over with the score only on 24.  This is when Ruan came to the crease and stroked a beautiful cover drive first ball for 4.  He and Bobby slowly increased the run rate through good rotation, however after nearly 9 lives Bobby was ultimately out for 34 in the 13th over with the score on 79.

Greg joined Ruan in the middle and there began a fantastic partnership.  Both gradually upped the intensity, keeping the strike rotating and hitting the bad balls.  Ruan was dropped once just before his 50, but apart from that he offered no chances.  The 2 put on a stand of 132 in 11 overs with Greg being out at the end of the 24th over having scored 64 (including 4 sixes), Ruan went on to score 116* on his debut and Livingston ended with 227-4.

Naveen and Hamad opened the bowling for Livingston and their opening burst really put the result beyond doubt early on.  Each bowling 3 overs with Naveen taking 3-12 and Hamad only conceding 10 runs.  Ruan taking 2 catches from Naveen's bowling.  The openers were supported well by Jim and Greg.  Jim conceding 11 from his 4 overs and Greg taking 1-17 with a good catch from Fahad in the slips.

Bobby then brought on the spinners Fahad and Faisal who struggled to get much from the wicket and enabled Fauldhouse to begin to put together a partnership (ultimately 98 runs) between Captain F Mahon and R McDonald.  With 6 overs remaining Bobby brought on Ruan to open his bowling account, the first ball catching an edge which was only able to be parried in the slips.  Ultimately he ended with 1-19 off his 3 overs.  Young Jack Adams (13) was also given an opportunity to have his first bowl in an adult game, doing well in getting through 3 overs and being a bit unlucky not to pick up a wicket.

Ultimately Fauldhouse reached 177-5 at the end of their 25 overs so a win by 50 runs for Livingston.  This was our final warm up prior to the opening of the league season next Saturday, when the 1st XI will be at home against SMRH.

It was great to have so many people come up and support and enjoy the great weather.  Hopefully we will be able to replicate that for our first match and get the season off to a great start.