Huntly vs Methlick 1st X1 15.07.2023
Once again Methlick struggled for numbers as seven regular first team players were unavailable for the trip to Huntly. Huge downpours during the week had made Lairds unplayable and expectations were high that the game would be cancelled with the Met Office issuing a severe weather warning. True to form the everyone basked in hot sunshine.
Methlick batted first on a green but hard strip. Skipper Alasdair Smith and Rob Fryer dealt with the accurate bowling of Henderson and Coffey but struggled to score and after 10 overs MCC only had 21 runs on the board. Pressure built and although Fryer was starting to hit out, Smith was caught off Myron Petrie for 7.
Grant Cordiner also struggled to score and once again pressure was key and the normally reliable batsman was bowled for 8. Woodhouse came in and as the field was pushed back it enabled plenty of singles to come his way. However, the search for runs was still on and Fryer was eventually out for 22 caught off Morrison after an expansive drive.
We have seen many manufactured shots in modern cricket, from the scoop, the ramp to the reverse sweep, and now we have one to add to the list. We all remember Colombian goalkeeper Rene Higuita’s Scorpion Kick against England at Wembley. We now have the Alan Hill Scorpion Drive -eyes closed, reverse right-handed behind the back on-drive for 2. Nevertheless, he was out shortly afterwards and pressure built with only 15 overs left and 64 on the board. The need for runs grew with Woodhouse calling for a quick single and Fraser Grant, not up to the speed of his partner, was run out. Then disaster struck as Woodhouse also ran out John Moore.
Dave Chalmers came in and only 10 more could be added to the score in the final 5 overs with Woodhouse achieving his hat-trick of 3 run-outs off the final ball with Methlick ending up with a poor 101 for 7 off their 40 overs.
The only joy after tea came from a single wicket for Fraser Grant to remove Myron-Petrie as Huntly eased home with Dawar scoring an undefeated 55 and Morrison 22 not out to end a very disappointing day against a team that victory was expected, and next Saturday sees a stiffer challenge against Portcullis at Lairds; again a team that Methlick have already beaten away this season.
By Mark Woodhouse
Castle Park, Huntly
Photo, A. Hill
