Saturday 6th June

1st XI v Glenalmond (h) 45 overs. Won by 52 runs.EA 221 for 6 (J. Munro 93, A. Colam 47 no, N. Hunt 31)Glen 169 all out (A. Colam 4 for 22, R. Cumming 3 for 18)2nd XI v Glenalmond (a) Time. Lost by 116 runs.Glen 176 for 3 decEA  60 all out (N. Keyden 29)

The toss was lost again, but this time we were invited to bat. It was an excellent batting display against the best seam attack we have faced this year. James Munro turned his potential into runs for a powerful 93 while Ali Colam again impressed with an undefeated 47. After 26 overs Glenalmond were 127 for 0 and looking in a strong position. Robin Cumming took a wicket with his second delivery to trigger a major collapse. The surprise package was Ali Colam, who in his first bowling spell for the 1st XI took 4 wickets with his medium pacers. It was a very satisfying turn around.

Thursday 4th June, Lothian Schools Cup semi final

1st XI v Watsons (h) 30 overs. Lost by 24 runs.Watsons 197 for 5 ( R. Cumming 3 for 25)EA 173 for 6 (Z. Muir 50, F. Gillies 45, A. Colam 31)

In a high scoring encounter with Watson’s we went down by twenty odd runs. Losing the toss yet again was a frustrating start. Even more frustrating was our ground fielding, which was sloppy gifting easy runs. Watson’s were aggressive with their running between the wickets taking many excellent quick singles. That was the crucial difference. Zander Muir, Fraser Gillies and Ali Colam performed well with the bat, but it was not enough.

Saturday 16th May

1st XI v Dollar (h) 40 overs. Won by 6 wkts. Dollar 82 all out (A. Murray 3 for 9, J. Munro 3 for 19) EA 83 for 4 (A. Simpson 26, F. Gillies 23)

A beautiful sunny day and another very good wicket at New Field. It looked all set for a run fest and we were hoping to bat first, but the captain managed to lose the toss yet again! Our bowlers produced their best performance of the season so far with excellent spells from James Munro and Alex Murray. This was backed up by some good catching and general fielding. In reply we knocked off the total without too much panic, but still had batsmen getting 20 odd then getting out. We desperately need 20s converted into significant scores if we are to challenges the top teams on the circuit.

Saturday 16th May

1st XI v Merchiston (h) 45 overs. Lost by 96 runs.Merchiston 266 for 9 (A. Murray 3 for 59, R. Cumming 3 for 10)EA 170 all out (R. Allison 28, J. Munro 24))

Tuesday 12th May

1st XI v Forty Club (h) 35 overs. Lost by 49 runs. Forty Club 179 for 8 (C. Simpson 2 for 26, R. Allison 2 for 46) EA 130 for 9 (A. Colam 48 no, N. Hunt 32)

There has been improvement in the consistency of our bowling this week, but we have come up against some good batsmen on an excellent batting wicket. Bowlers quickly learn that any loose bowling gets punished by good players and they have to adjust accordingly. In chasing big totals it helps if key players build partnerships and go on from 20s and 30s to make substantial scores that make a difference to the result. The batting highlight this week was Ali Colam’s unbeaten 48 against the Forty Club. There are still plenty of little things to work on, but there are signs of progress.

Tuesday 6th May

1st XI v Heriot’s (a) 25 overs. Lothian Schools Cup. Won by 42 runs EA 138 for 7 (N. Hunt 73) Heriot’s 96 all out (N. Hunt 3 for 10)

Saturday 3rd May

1st XI v Strathallan (a) Time. Match abandoned. EA 15 for 1 after 9 overs All other Strathallan matches cancelled.

2nd May

1st XI v Watson's (a) 40 overs. Lost by 97 runs. Watson's 193 for 9 (N. Hunt 3 for 43, P. Scott Reid 3 for 43) EA 96 all out (Z. Muir 42)

Watson's won the toss and decided to bat. The bowling was mixed, and in fairness so was the Watson's batting; the wickets fell at a steady pace, and at 135 for 8 after 26 overs the Academy had the upper hand. However an excellent partnership between the Watson's number 6 and 10 put on a further 50 odd runs. It was sensible positive batting against some slack bowling and fielding. The presence of three left-handers had tested our field setting.

In reply, the Academy never got going with a number of players getting out playing across the line. The one exception was Zander Muir, who played another impressive innings. This was a below par performance, which I am sure that the team will learn from.

25 April 1st XI v Fettes (h) 45 overs. Lost by 48 runs Fettes 255 for 6 (C. Simpson 3 for 45, P. Scott-Reid 2 for 38) EA 207 all out (Z. Muir 58, N. Hunt 41, J. Munro 26)

Fettes made a challenging total on a good batting pitch and a fast outfield. The Academy bowling was reasonable for a first outing but there were too many loose deliveries and Fettes were clinical in putting away bad balls. The highlights were a promising debut spell from Cameron Simpson with a couple of fine catches. In our reply we were well placed at the half way stage, but losing two wickets in the over after drinks break proved crucial. Zander Muir batted extremely well to make an excellent 58 on debut. It was overall a fair team performance, but with plenty to work on.

Mike Allingham