Portcullis vs Methlick 1st XI 20.05.2023
Saturday saw Methlick travelling to Duthie Park to maintain their 100% start to the season. The wicket looked decidedly unfavourable to bat on and the visitors had first go with Woodhouse and Smith opening.
The ball, as expected, was staying low and zipping around off the rough looking track but some obdurate defence and attacking of any poor deliveries saw the batsmen taking control. It was vital to use up the overs and tire the bowlers so that later batsmen had the freedom to come in and swing the willow.
After 20 overs the two openers remained undefeated on 60 which was a great start in tough conditions on a wicket looking to give a par score of around 130. The first wicket to go was Woodhouse, flashing at a wide ball and caught behind on 26. This bought Acton to the middle and continued his good run of form. Smith was caught on 24 but Hordley joined Acton and the two were able to play with plenty of abandon.
Acton was caught on 27 with the score moving on to 112 leaving 8 overs for Hordley to bat with the middle order and maximise the score. Big-hitting Addison went for 1 and a mini-collapse was on the cards as Reeve and Choudry both went cheaply, but it was the ever-reliable Cordiner steadying the ship and allowing Hordley to hit out for a fine, undefeated knock of 45, ably supported by Cordiner on 10 to take the final score to a very challenging 168 for 6.
After tea Acton and Duffy opened the bowling and caused huge amounts of problems for the Portcullis openers. Ginger Tom took two early wickets with Duffy also chipping in to reduce the home side to 16 for 3. The only early resistance from Thorpe was snuffed out by a well-taken catch by Hordley at deep mid-wicket from Addison’s first over.
Wickets continued to fall and by the 28 over mark Portcullis were well behind on 61 for 7, still needing 108 from the final 12 overs. The tail enders provided the only fight as Param took his tally to 37 until being caught at square leg by Duffy off Choudry. Portcullis limped to 117 all out as Methlick took the game by 51 runs. To add to his 45 NO, Hordley was pick of the bowling taking 2 for only 6 off his 8 over spell.
Next week sees the much-awaited local derby away to Ellon.
In Grade 3 Methlick 2nds came close at Balmoral as Crathie overtook Methlick’s 109 for 7 in the 34th over. Rob Fryer top-scored with 29.
By Mark Woodhouse