Crathie vs 2XI Methlick

Methlick 2nds travelled to Balmoral Castle on Saturday to play Crathes. Skipper Lewis Crutchfield lost the toss and were invited to bat on the typically spongy pitch in the grounds of the castle. With the Deeside scenery in splendid form Rob Fryer and Ross Moir set out as a new opening partnership. Ross couldn't maintain his form of the previous weekend and was out in the 3rd over, bowled by Thomas on 2. Brian Carr was next into join Fryer and the experienced pair batted sensibly over the next 15 overs to set a solid platform with low risk batting. Carr was out on 17, caught at mid on off Mehja. Scott Acott, on debut made an impressive start, before being caught at long on of the bowling of ever dependable Schunemann on 10. Fraser Grant now joined Fryer, but the opener departed soon afterwards for a top of the innings score of 29, also a victim of Schunemann, caught at long on.

Fraser was joined briefly by Deni Saraminoski, who couldn’t trouble the scorers and returned to the pavilion to await the famous Ballater pies. Skipper Lewis was next in and blazed a couple of splendid boundaries before becoming Schunemann's 4th victim of the day, Deni was the 3rd, caught at point. Dod Duncan, on his 1st game of the season joined Fraser and started with a lusty 4 before settling into a more sedate style of batting. Fraser departed on 10, all singles, bowled Geddes. Graeme Fowlie joined Dod and the pair batted out the 40 overs ending on 8 and 13 no respectively. Methlick had reached a respectable 109 for 7 on a tricky track against a solid attack dominated by the South African Schunemann who ended on 4 for 13 off his allocated 8 overs.

Tea is always a treat at Balmoral, the pies in particular, so both teams tucked in heartily before resuming the battle in Crathes response. Lewis was joined by Fraser Grant as the opening bowling pair. Lewis made a dream start of taking a wicket with his 1st delivery, clean bowling Boardman and conceding no runs in the over, a wicket maiden. Fraser backed this terrific start up well, only conceding a wide in his opening over. MacLeod joined Feeney at the crease and the pair batted sensibly to reach 46 before Fowlie removed Feeney for only 9 runs, caught Acott at mid wicket. Schunemann was next in and was busy at the crease, as always. At the halfway point, drinks break, Methlick were well in the game as Lewis and Fraser had bowled tightly, backed up well by Fowlie. After tea however, Crathie took a liking to the Methlick attack, Brian Carr in particular, and took the game away from Methlick. Just after reaching his 50 MacLeod played his first loose stroke of the innings, pulling Fraser Grant to midwicket where Acott took another good catch, a more than useful debut for the newcomer. Carr quickly removed Atkinson for only 1 to give Methlick a glimmer of hope, but Geddes struck the winning blow with a six off Carr to end on 10 no, Schunemann was also no, on 20 solid runs, no boundaries. Crathes ended up on 113 for 4 in 34 overs.

Methlick 2nds put up a strong performance at a notoriously tricky venue, and there were several notable performances throughout the side. More runs are required, which is the same story as the previous season, with lots of batters getting a start, but not able to convert it to a match defining score of 50+. There are still some regulars from last season to return to the side, so Lewis will be looking to select from a bigger squad and push on to gain a first victory of the season versus Dunecht at Lairds next weekend, pitch situation allowing.

By Dave Chalmers