Methlick 1st XI vs Fraserburgh 10.07.2023

After two close finishes this season Saturday provided yet another thrilling finale as high-scoring Fraserburgh visited Lairds on sunny Saturday. A hard track and fast outfield suggested runs aplenty, but that’s not quite how the day panned out.

Five of the regular first team were missing and were bolstered by replacements from the 2nds who had a free weekend, but both sides had strong teams on paper

Completion of Match - Support Captain with 2 Keen Batsman

Methlick were put into bat and Woodhouse and Acton started aggressively. Veersema and Hordley also continued in the same vein although the wicket started to play tricks and batting became increasingly cautious. Nevertheless, the score had moved nicely on to 100 for the loss off only 3 wickets and with 12 overs left a score of 170 seemed eminently reachable.

However, after the 4 openers departed a dramatic collapse ensued with the youngster McLeman the pick of the bowlers. The final 6 MCC batters could only add 37 to the total and a very disappointing total of 137 was put on the score board for Fraserburgh to chase.

Resuming after tea, despite the accurate bowling of Moore and Veersema, the Broch , through Cory Bowie and Gray, moved effortlessly on to 69. A lot of bowling was available but interim skipper, Woodhouse, had to keep the scoring rate down whilst taking wickets.

Acton, replacing Veersema, was expensive but Hordley bowled his usual miserly line, backed up by the reliable Addison. Hordley made the breakthrough bowling Gray and then had Rohani caught by David Low with a spiralling catch. Then, just short of his 50 Addison had Bowie LBW with a shooter staying low.

The introduction of the hirsute Jamie Jones made big inroads bowling O’Neil and Liam Bowie but still only 34 was needed with 5 wickets left including the dangerous Chris Gospel. It was then that Methlick’s fielding moved up a gear led by Dynamic David Low. Runs dried up and more importantly Gospel was deprived of the strike. He could only look on in horror as one after the other the Fraserburgh wickets fell.

Moore and Veersema were reintroduced. 6 overs to go with 4 wickets left and only 8 runs needed. The Afghan Khan was bowled by Moore, and then Veersema bowled the final three batters leaving The Brochers 3 runs short and an incredible win against the odds for Methlick.

The win keeps Methlick just behind leaders AGFPs at the top of Grade 2. A great day was had by all with a fantastic turn-out by the MCC Barmy Army. Once again thanks go to Mr. Phil Cox for sponsoring the match ball

By Mark Woodhouse