Mannofield 2nds vs Methlick 2nds 23.06.2024
Methlick 2nds were at Mannofield, the premier cricket ground in the North of Scotland and scene of Don Bradman's last innings in Britain. 10,000 spectators witnessed the GOAT cricketer score an imperious 123 NO for Australia vs Scotland in 1948. Mannofield is a wonderful place to play cricket and we were privileged to be there, walking in the footsteps of giants.
Skipper Lewis Crutchfield won the toss and batted 1st, Dave Chalmers and Rob Fryer opened together and looked to set a solid platform. The wicket was like a road, making a mark at the crease was difficult, but it did mean the bounce was predictable and the immaculate outfield meant runs could be scored. Rob and Dave rotated strike well, trying to put the bowlers off line with the right and left hand combination of batter. The bowling was initially wayward so the scorebook moved along nicely until Rob was clean bowled by Pordous as he attempted his 1st aggressive stroke of the game. Jonathan Boughey strode out and immediately tried to increase the tempo, hitting a lovely cover drive to the boundary. In attempting the same shot, he was clean bowled by Mitchell. Methlick were now 28 for 2 in the 8th over, requiring a decent partnership to get to a competitive total, at least 125.
Dom Reeve joined Dave, who was batting solidly, and again started positively with a couple of strong boundaries, reaching double figures quickly before becoming the 3rd consecutive batter to be clean bowled. Shahid Choudry was next in and started well with a lovely shot through the point boundary. At 20 overs, drinks were taken at 51 for 3, still on target to reach the target. After the break Dave looked to put pressure on the left arm spinner, Broadribb, however in leaving his crease, gave the excellent young wicketkeeper Scotting an easy stumping opportunity, he didn't miss. This started a procession of wickets, Shahid quickly followed Dave back to the pavilion, caught at mid-off for 7 runs, Dave had made 10.
Lewis was quickly bowled for 2 and Deni run out for 1 as a direct hit from mid-on saw him fail to make his ground. Brian Anderson scored a boundary, through square leg, but was clean bowled by Broadribb for 4.
Ross Moir was watching from the other end as the chaos ensued, playing nicely. David Low briefly stemmed the flow of wickets, also hitting a single boundary before being bowled for 7. Gavin Hunter was at 11 and his stay at the crease was brief, becoming the 2nd wicket of the over for Hamilton. Methlick were all out for 80 in only 32 overs, the last 7 wickets falling in only 10 overs for 29 runs and well short of a competitive total.
After a wonderful tea in the pavilion, Methlick set out to grab a few wickets, some points and some confidence, none of this transpired. The young (14 yo) wicketkeeper Scotting was also an excellent batter and along with Fourdus reached 81 runs for the loss of no wickets. Scotting, in particular, was hard on the Methlick bowlers, striking boundaries off everyone he faced, hitting a 4 to reach 45 NO and pass the Methlick total to win the game in only 13 overs. Fourdus had reached a more sedate 26 in that time.
There were a few features of the game to consider, 10 Methlick batters got a start, only 2 reached even double figures, they need someone to go on to make a substantial score for the team to have any chance of winning games. The Mannofield team included a good number of youngsters, which along with some very strong players proved far too strong for Methlick. Bandara was the pick of their bowlers, he ended with figures of 2 for 3 off 8 overs, including 6 maidens, that is impressive in any game.
By Dave Chalmers