Stonehaven Thistle 1st v Banchory
Sat 20 May 2006
With a cold damp start to the day, this “derby” fixture was always in doubt.
Much hard work has been spent on the Mineralwell square, so it was with some relief the surface remained reasonably free from football stud damage.
The expensive top coat dressing had bedded in well with so much rain over the week; however it remained very damp on top.
The “toss” was crucial as with dryer weather and some wind forecast, the drying conditions meant runs would be easier to find later on.
Thistle skipper “Donaldo” Grewar lost the toss and was invited to bat.
A hasty rework of the line-up ensued as Thistle had the unusual task of 12 players to choose from.
D Cruickshank (making a welcome return) opened with the Grewar.
With the going slow both battled hard with the unpredictable bounce. Only 21 runs came from the first 10 overs.
Cruickshank found some of the previous seasons form and started stroke playing.
This opening pair picked up runs against inconsistent bowling; however the odd delivery kept them firmly on their toes.
Grewar (13) went early bowled by Miller. Drew Hinchcliffe came on and blasted 15 runs from 4 balls, before missing a full toss on leg stump.
B Campbell, J Van der Ruit, B Milne and C Hinchcliffe all failed to get past double figures, however Symon Jacobsen (17) and Andrew Wilson (12) showed some determination when needed most.
Cruickshank (42) chipped one over the bowler which seemed to hang heavily in the air, just long enough for the boundary fielder to claim a good catch on the run.
With score on 105 from 35 overs Thistle needed to accelerate the run rate. Wilson cranked up the pressure, however took one too many risky runs and was run out.
B Snelling (5 no) and Chris Van der Ruit (7 no) wagged the tail and scored crucial runs in the dying moments of the innings.
With 141 for 9 off 45 overs Thistle made a very sporting declaration.
Thistles opening pair C Hinchcliffe and Wilson needed a good tight start on the drying wicket, however Wilson proved a little wayward with 7 runs off his first over.
Banchory opener P Potter stamping his authority on the game by hitting a boundary with his first scoring shot.
C Hinchcliffe took the first “scalp” bowling Perry, while Wilson had Ali caught in the slips.
Thistle’s hopes of victory came alive when Burton was adjudged LBW from Hinchcliffe, hit on the back leg in front of middle stump, however with the score on 47 from 10 overs the high run rate had already caused some heads to go down.
T Donald joined Potter and this pair struck out with the right attitude for positioning the win. Several chances were “spilled” which caused further although isolated despondency.
Several Thistle stalwarts began the difficult task of pulling everyone together. Vocal support during this period was to make or break the Thistle attack.
Hinchcliffe got the breakthrough bowling Potter (46) in a moment of madness. This was the critical moment Thistle had been painfully waiting for.
Skipper Grewar made a very important bowling change bringing on the younger Van der Ruit. With Banchory's score touching 126 from 34 overs for 5 wickets, nerves were beginning to show.
Thomson joined Donald and this pair got to grips with the loose leg side deliveries.
More dropped chances looked like they were to spoil the late thrust, however some excellent bowling from Chris VDR saw the end of Donald (58)
Chris Van der Ruit took a further wicket, then two successive ducks giving Thistle the advantage.
Banchory began to creak at the seams with wickets tumbling fast. Having 2 wickets left and needing only 4 runs to win the game, Thistle needed another breakthrough.
C Hinchcliffe (3 for 34 off 12 overs) finished his spell and was replaced by Wilson.
The scores were tied. Wilson bowled a maiden. The pressure was piling on both sides.
In his fourth ball over the C Van der Ruit had Wilkinson (1) out caught at midwicket. Thistle had fought so hard to pull themselves into a match winning position and here it was.
One run for Banchory to win, one wicket for Stonehaven to win. This truly was a nail biter.
Van der Ruit had one ball left to take the young Sterling's wicket and with a well pitched, just outside off stump delivery the ball could have easily found its way into safe hands, however the wise head on the young Sterling guided the ball to ground for the end of an excellent period of the game.
Wilson came thundering down and hurled his delivery at the stumps. Looking to take “middle and leg” stumps Millar chose his stroke with the air of desperation, clouting the ball high and wide of the field over mid-wicket.
The momentum was enough to carry the ball over the boundary and win the game by one wicket, with one over to spare.
Banchory players were emphatic; however Thistle had performed really well to give them the match winning opportunity they deserved.
The match was sponsored by The Station Hotel and McHardy's Butchers.
Next week Thistle take on Queens Cross, a must-win match.

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