Methlick 1st X1 vs 2nd Abergreen 24.07.2023
In a revised fixture schedule Methlick once again faced Abergreen on Saturday who, only a matter of a few weeks ago, had undone Methlick at Rubislaw in a low scoring encounter where, after a poor start the Abergreen middle-order piled on the runs and Methlick, looking comfortable in reply had a serious lower order collapse to lose the game by 20 runs. And so it was on Saturday.
Proceedings started off very well for the Methlick bowling attack backed up by the very best of fielding. After 7 overs the visitors had only put on 8 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. In fact the bowling of Veersema and Moore was so accurate that that the first 2 wickets went to Moore with no runs scored.
As in the previous fixture Abergreen appeared to keep back the best of the batting back for the middle-order and Sibtain and Khan in particular plundered the change-over bowling of Acton and returning Shaz Kallepu, both struggling with their lines of attack. Cordiner and Reeve also came in for late punishment as Abergreen took on a likely looking score of 110 to 160 all-out, with Methlick requiring the late services of Moore and Veersema to take wickets to close off the innings.
All seemed well after tea as Woodhouse and the returning vice-captain Smith took the score comfortably on to 37 until Woodhouse got one that stayed low and was bowled by Sibtain. There should never have been a problem with the score as MCC had a strong on-paper batting line up, but it never seems to work out that way. The reliable Acton, in at 3, was back in the pavilion after only scoring 1, but Smith and Veersema seemed to have all in control as they took the score on to 89, with the help of a huge amount of Abergreen wides.
Smith eventually went for 24 and was quickly followed by Veersema attempting a sweep and given out LBW for 34. Then the procession of wickets followed. Kallepu attempted a big hit first ball and was bowled for a golden. Murphy and Cordiner got in a huge mess over a run out and Murphy was gone for 10. Everything collapsed thereafter apart from a spirited last man knock from Jay Allan and Methlick were all out for 142; 18 runs short.
Dropped catches and missed run-out chances inevitably cost Methlick the game, but the big positives were from the opening bowling of Veersema (8 overs 2 wickets for only 4 runs) and Moore ( 8 overs 24 runs for 4 wickets). Cordiner weighed in with 3 wickets but bowled an expensive last over for 15 runs.
Match ball sponsors were John and Karen Moore. Next Saturday’s game is once again at Lairds against 2nd Knightriders and Methlick should get back to winning ways after dropping one place to third behind local rivals Fraserburgh in Grade 2.
Sunday’s game for the 2nd team against Mannofield was unfortunately rained off half way through at the hallowed turf of Mannofield and they now have a free week next weekend.
By Mark Woodhouse - Wicket Keeper