Thistle 2nds open their account.

Dunecht CC 2nd XI 62 Stonehaven Thistle CC 2nd XI 124

Thistle 2nds travelled to Dunecht looking for their first win of the new season.
On a damp wicket after the morning and overnight rain Thistle lost the toss and were asked to bat.
Things got off to an awful start with both Bruce Findlay and David Garden back in the pavilion with only one run on the board.
With the uneven wicket and spongy surface batting was not going to be easy. Enter Pete Law, who rode his luck and started to put a score together to pull Thistle out of the hole they had dug. Just getting the ball off the square was hard work, and with Pete's bat sounding past it's sell by date, some big shots only made it half way to the boundary on the slow outfield. Sam Dickinson played a sensible supporting role, and hit a crisp six, before he was bowled by McBurnie for 10. Thistle were not out of the woods, with only 17 on the board for 3 wickets.
Emmett Donegan pushed the score along with Law, (who had by now been dropped at least three times) as the batsmen started to come to terms with the batting strip the runs flowed before Donegan went for 12. Pete Law then attacked with confidence and blasted his way to a fine 65 not out, after support from King and Findlay, albeit briefly. Thistle's tail fell away somewhat, but made sure Law had the strike at the crucial times. Thistle closed on 124 all out.
Skipper Nigel King felt that 120 was enough to win the game, having seen what the drying wicket was doing and safe in the knowledge that Thistle's bowlers were quicker, and would extract more bounce than the home side's attack.
Dunecht made a worse start than Thistle. Opener Carlson was run out to a direct hit by King from the first ball of the reply, ambling down the track for a casual run. Inside 3 overs the home side were reeling on 5 for 3. Opener Duncan caught by Garden off Greig, and number 3 bat, Moat had his off stump uprooted by King's second delivery. King then bowled Duncan in his 3rd over with an identikit delivery , the batsman playing the textbook stroke , but minus his off stick ,and Dunecht were 15 for 4.
Some minor resistance held up Thistle's charge, but a bowling change brought rewards with Man of the Match ,Law ,taking out the middle order with an LBW, and a catch by Paul Hay . Sam Dickinson found himself on a hat trick, following some deft Captaincy and field changes to give Donegan and Bruce Findlay a catch each. David Garden grafted well to take one wicket, and Nigel King cleaned up the last resistance trapping Roberts LBW. Dunecht were routed for 62. Thistle's superior attack and fielding made the home side pay for dropping so many chances. At least 10 chances went down. Whilst Thistle should be pleased with the victory, the batting is still a bit fragile, and most of the side know they need to improve current form with the bat if they are to be a force this season. All donations to buy Pete Law a new bat gratefully received! King ended on 3 for 13, Law 2 for 10, and Dickinson 2 for 6.

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