Grampian vs Methlick 1st X1 03.08.2024
An earlier than usual start at Inverdee on Saturday saw Grampian, leaders in Grade 2, winning the toss and deciding to bat first and they got off to an absolute flier, with George and Nadim taking to the opening bowling of Crutchfield and Moore with relish. It took a wild slog from Nadim to give Moore the first wicket as the Geordie bowled him with a full, straight, yorker with the score on 48.
Hordley came on to try and exert some pressure and number 3, Kurian, trying to pull a loose, short ball only found Dan Reeve who took a sharp catch back of square leg. After an expensive first over from Shahid Choudary, which he later managed to recover from, it was the introduction of the master slow bowler, pie expert Grant Cordiner, which really slowed down the scoring rate. In his first over he bowled George, playing across the line, and then had Nair for a duck with a catch from captain Smith.
The batsmen became mesmerized by the slow and accurate bowling and the dangerous opener, George, trying to see Cordiner’s spell off, was completely undone and bowled for 47. Crutchfield came back on and was immediately successful with a nice snick behind to keeper Woodhouse, but it was then the turn of swinger, Benny Hill, to take charge. S. Joseph looked dangerous but his tactic of advancing down the wicket became his downfall as the bowler and keeper worked together to bowl a wide to provide a stumping when the batter missed his shot.
Sheriff was Hill’s next victim, LBW for no runs, and then another stumping for Woodhouse gave his third wicket. Hill then bowled Raju for another duck to close off the innings at 164 to give him figures of 25 for 4 off his 5 overs.
A great performance from bowlers and fielders had kept the score to a very reachable figure against a team used to scoring 270 plus every week. Unfortunately, Methlick’s prevailing problem of batting reared it’s ugly head again, albeit against a very strong Grampian bowling attack. Only Cordiner and Woodhouse were able to reach double figures as 23 wides were top scorer with MCC struggling to reach 83 all out as the rain teemed down at the end of the innings to leave survival in Grade 2 looking extremely unlikely.
On a much more hopeful note, the early start meant that the first team could witness the 2nds get their first victory of the season at Lairds against Banchory. 4 wickets for Bryan Carr and 3 for Bryan Anderson helped reduce Banchory to 110. It was then Anderson with the bat and skipper, Deni Sarafimoski, in his new-found role as all-rounder, that led them to the cusp of victory with Anderson unbeaten on 39. Sarafimoski tragically went LBW for 41 with only 2 runs needed as Methlick reached the total in only 30 overs.
By Mark Woodhouse