Banchory - 23rd June 2007 - Thistle still waiting for another batsman.........

Banchory 169 all out, Stonehaven 121 all out.

A spineless batting performance and lacklustre fielding caused Thistle’s 1st XI their heaviest defeat of the season, though doubtless the players concerned will blame the weather.
 
Certainly the rain was a factor but the 10 dropped catches and the selfish gung-ho attitude of the recognised batsmen, unwilling to apply themselves on the day have all but given any hope of a title chase away.

Banchory were in all sorts of bother at 2 for 8 off 6 overs, but Thistle were unable to capitalize and though unable to break the rhythm of the Banchory team were still hoping to have them all out for 120. W.Ali held sway with a fine 72 . There then followed a catalogue of “missed opportunities”, highlighted in one over by “pitcher” Brian Campbell. Failing to find the pitch at all with most of his deliveries. He then had to watch as the Thistle men fluffed even more chances.

Laughing before you take the final catch of the innings is never a good idea unless you have a hole to crawl into once you’ve missed it. Unfortunately Alex Keith couldn’t find one in the short Banchory outfield. Earlier he had taken 3 for 29.

Several runs later the innings was finally wrapped up by Jonno Van der Ruit with a superb late spell of 5 for 10 off 3 overs; it seems he may yet find himself as opening bowler next week, instead of batting for the seconds. Andrew Long may also sneak  onto the top of the sheet if he could find consistency to go with his 1 for 15 off 6 overs, especially if “Poppadom fingers” Clive Hinchcliffe breaks any more bones.

The Thistle innings, in awful weather, began in contrast to Banchory’s, with 23 coming off 5 overs as Alex Keith, a man in a hurry, put the bowling to the sword.
Unfortunately when he played on for 30 the procession of batsmen started. At 52 for 1 Denis Garden held sway for a long time whilst others going for glory, trudged a path to the pavilion.

Drew Hinchcliffe showed what he is capable of with some superb strokes for 4 before blotting his innings on 16. Thereafter Andy Wilson tried to stop the rot but with the target still only 4 an over when he fell the tail failed to wag and once again this season Thistle barely mustered 120 runs against Banchory.

It’s all very well saying if the team cannot beat Banchory then they are not good enough to win Grade 1, but on their day, with some grit and determination, they can be “The Mighty Pricks” instead of the annoying weeds!

The Match sponsor was Powerwasher Services.

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