2nd Methlick vs 2nd Grampian 11th May 2024
Methlick 2nds were at Lairds to take on a strong 2nd Grampian side on Saturday. A lot of work until late on Friday night got the ground playable, using the artificial pitch. Skipper Lewis Crutchfield won the toss and opted to bowl. Lewis and Graeme Fowlie opened the bowling and whilst bowling tidily, neither threatened a breakthrough. It took 1st bowling change of Dod Duncan, replacing Lewis to get Methlick underway. Soosidarnan played a loose cover drive and Ryan Lindsay took a well judged catch at mid on. Bryan Carr then replaced Fowlie and in his 2nd over took two wickets in consecutive balls, firstly trapping Thalakottu LBW on 33, Harikamal was clean bowled next ball for a golden duck. Ross Moir replaced Dod at the river end and tempted Sunny into a misstroke, Ryan taking an outstanding catch, running in from long on. Lewis then returned at the river end and after being refused several strong LBW shouts got two quick wicket, clean bowling both Daniel and Kasun for low scores. Bryan Carr bowled Ernmanual for 4 to complete the wicket taking for Methlick. Grampian paced the innings superbly and had wickets in hand for the final 15 overs to see them accelerate to finish on 231 for 7, a very good and challenging total.
Openers Rob Fryer and Graeme Fowlie faced a challenging opening bowling partnership and struggled to make an impact on the target. Having seen off the openers Rob tried a more aggressive approach but was caught at mid-off off the excellent allrounder Sunny for 9. Bryan Carr followed quickly, bowled for nought by Kasun. Ryan Lindsay was bowled for 1 by Sunny, Ross Moir was caught at mid-on off Sunny. The Methlick batters were struggling to make any headway at all as Graeme Fowlie fell for 4, caught at point off Matthew. Dod Duncan was next in and hit a typically aggressive 18, including a huge six over cow corner and a couple of 4s to record the only boundaries of the innings, he was bowled by Varghese. Bremaneson, Chalmers, Sarafimoski, Hunter and Crutchfield all tried to delay the by now inevitable result to no avail and the innings closed on 67 all out, extras as top scorer on 23.
A tough day at HQ for the 2nds, hopefully some better form lies ahead in the season. The game was played in good spirit, including a well respected minutes silence before the game to show respect for former teammates who passed away during the previous winter, a fitting tribute.
By Dave Chalmers