2XI Methlick vs Dunecht

Saturday’s much awaited local derby between Methlick 1sts and Ellon turned in to a damp squib as Ellon we’re unable to field a team and the match points went to Methlick who remain unbeaten for the season.

Focus then fell on the seconds and Woodhouse, Smith, Acton, Hordley and Cordiner moved down to assist in the game at Lairds against Dunecht in an attempt to deliver the first win of the season.

Moore was quickly into the action bowling Lynas for 1 in the first over and he and captain Crutchfield kept a tight rein on the Dunecht innings with the top and middle order all getting starts but not being able to take the innings forward.

Acton and Hordley then took a procession of wickets with only Andrei able to score at a decent rate. He was finally removed on 44 by Crutchfield with an excellent, instinctive left-hand catch by Acott. A final score of 135 was only achieved by a sloppy few last overs and 23 wides being the second highest scorer. Crutchfield took 3 wickets for 31 in his 10 overs and a decent display of catching including two excellent catches in the deep from Cordiner added up to a good day in the field.

After tea the opening pair of Woodhouse and Smith, after a stand of 60 in last week’s game, were expected to tire the opening bowlers for the late batsmen to take advantage. Things didn’t quite work our that way as Smith played a lazy shot to Burnett and was caught behind on 1.

Woodhouse could then only look on as Fowler, Duncan, Acott and Crutchfield all came and went without adding anything substantial to the score. When he finally fell for 29, attempting another big drive, MCC looked in dire straights at 57 for 6.

However, the experience of Acton and Hordley shone through from the start and both easily took on the bowling challenges and remained unbeaten on 48 and 27 bringing up victory with 12 overs still to play.

By

Mark Woodhouse