Records tumble as George Munsey and Mike Carson punish Falkland

Just when Falkland began to think that their season couldn't possibly get even worse, along came George Munsey and Mike Carson.
Glenrothes batsman Fred Culley sweeps during his innings of 56. Picture: Jon Savage Photography.Glenrothes batsman Fred Culley sweeps during his innings of 56. Picture: Jon Savage Photography.
Glenrothes batsman Fred Culley sweeps during his innings of 56. Picture: Jon Savage Photography.

The Watsonians pair produced the most devastating double-act in the history of Scottish competitive cricket to floor the relegation-threatened Fifers on their own turf.

Record-demolisher Munsey was quick to pay tribute to support act Carson, whose own remarkable exploits would normally have hogged the spotlight.

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Munsey smashed 220 and Carson hit 167 in a stand that 
propelled Sonians to 440 for four and a 316-run victory – the biggest winning margin.

Munsey said: “It was one of those days where everything went right for me from ball one. I just felt in a great place, relaxed and was enjoying just a picturesque ground that looked in great shape.

“Both Mike and I bat in similar fashion where we both look to hit boundaries first then hit the singles second and it’s unusual for batsmen of similar styles to last so long together. The way he built his innings was fantastic and went through the gears nicely and got to his three figures in quick order.

“We spent a lot of time in the middle in between overs and when the ball went into neighbouring deep rough. We just kept things really simple, which is the key to successful cricket. It was a great experience batting with Carson for so long and he can be very proud of his knock – and his bowling.”

Carson went on to snap up four wickets as the hapless hosts crumbled to 124 all out – 317 shy of the lofty 
victory target.

Munsey added: “It was great so see him being given the ball so early in their innings. I was fortunate enough to be fielding at slip and enjoyed watching him go through all his leg-spin variations which made their batsmen struggle to pick.”

The savagery of Munsey and Carson was such the umpires were forced to add 30 minutes to the Sonians innings to allow repeated searches for lost balls. As a low handicap golfer who once considered turning pro, Munsey – for once – took great delight in aiming for the thick stuff!

His 220 came from only 120 deliveries and the partnership with Carson was worth 378 runs for the third wicket – a new league record.

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Falkland skipper Stuart Campbell admitted: “George and Mike were brilliant and they made it incredibly hard for our bowlers and fielders, who never gave up.

“Some of the ball-striking was the cleanest I have ever witnessed. Credit must also go to the Scroggie Park ground staff for producing a great track, which these guys took advantage of.”

Former captain Ryan Hepburn insisted there is light at the end of the tunnel. He explained: “We lost a few players at the start of the season and they haven’t been replaced. With additional injuries, work and university commitments it has been a real struggle.

“We have had to throw young boys in at the deep end and they are finding it tough. It is very much a transition period for the club, but our junior section from under 15s down are thriving. It will, however, be a few years before we see this impacting our first-team squad. The attitude and effort is still really good and although we know some of our players are not Premiership standard, it is good exposure for them with the future in mind.”

Elsewhere, Arbroath leapfrogged Grange to return to the top of the table.

Arbroath shrugged off a dose of the middle-order jitters to edge out champions Carlton in a low-scoring tussle at Lochlands.

Grange were outgunned by Glenrothes at Raeburn Place. Safyaan Sharif (95), Aidan Justus (59) and Fred Culley (56) carried the visitors to 290 for four. Then Chris Mohale’s five-wicket haul helped to dismiss the home brigade for 234.

Heriot’s earned an important away success against Aberdeenshire, while Forfarshire cruised to their expected win over SMRH at Inverleith.

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