Fraserburgh 1st XI vs Methlick 1st XI 15.05.2024
Saturday saw MCC travelling to local rivals, Fraserburgh, with the visitors still struggling to field a consistent 1st team and the Brochers were without the Bowie brothers so there was quite an unknown element to the fixture. Last week’s batting hero, Mike Hordley, was missing but Tom Acton returned as a like for like swap.
As it turned out it was Ginger Tom’s day with the bat. Boundaries were always going to be at a premium with an uncut outfield and a pacy and accurate opening spell from McLean and Romani but, as against Portcullis last week it was imperative to see off the openers for the later batsmen to free their arms.
Woodhouse batted confidently but Smith fell early, bowled Romani for 1 and Fryer lasted 37 deliveries for his 7. This brought Acton in to bat but at the half way mark Woodhouse was bowled by a slow full-toss from Gospel for 18. Acton then grew in confidence ably supported by Grant Cordiner and started his attack hitting some majestic sixes. After a poor start to the season his two-week break had worked wonders as he reached his half century with two consecutive boundaries.
Cordiner was eventually bowled by Romani for 21 leaving Benny Hill to face the last 4 overs. Acton was finally undone caught Gospel off McLean for a fine 57 and Hill and Butch Crutchfield added a further 10 to take the final score to 138 for 5; a seeming par score.
Fraserburgh’s innings took very much the same path with some very tight bowling from Crutchfield and Acton, both with an opening spell of 5 overs each. Acton took the first wicket with his penultimate ball, Gray edging to Woodhouse for 8 with the score on 17 after the first 10 overs.
John Moore’s first ball of his spell saw a suicidal run from Flowerdew. Jay Allan collected and threw in to Woodhouse for the batter to be run-out for 7. Hill, bowling with his usual accurate swing had Souter caught for 2 by that man Acton. Fraserburgh now looked in a shaky position at 25 for 3, but then the Broch Afghan effect came into play.
Waseem decided to take the attack to the Methlick bowlers playing across the line but with excellent hand-eye coordination, punching a big hole in the Methlick score. By the time he was out, with an excellent catch in the deep from skipper Smith off Acton for 60, the partnership with Rohani was 83. Woodhouse stumped Rohani for 26 off Rob Fryer, but it was left to Gospel to knock off the final runs with 7 overs to spare.
An exciting but not high-scoring game of cricket played in the usual great spirit between the teams. Highlights of the day for Methlick were excellent batting and bowling from Acton and a good opening bowling spell from Crutchfield and good work in the field. Methlick return to Lairds next Saturday playing against Grampian.
By Mark Woodhouse