“Gordonians Escape: Match Abandoned as White-Hot Thistle fire 263 in only 37 overs”
Stonehaven travelled to Gordonians  at  Countesswells, Aberdeen on Saturday to seek out their first win of the season. Having had a luckless drawn against St Ronalds and then a crushing defeat at Allan Park against an over-praised  Cults side for their 2nd outing of the new season. A much needed morale booster was required to bring back “Thistle’s” high paced enthusiasm and fighting spirit.
The day was dull and cold, and a chilling winter-like breeze swept across the ground,  and an air of expectant apprehension followed the team. Clive Hinchcliffe the Ist’s Captain battled against probability and failing some previous advice unfortunately lost the toss, Thistle were sent to have first crack at the wicket. Openers Alec Keith and Ali Milroy picked up their bats and headed for their respective stations. Both now established opening stalwarts of the Club they were ready to do their duty on the day. Alec faced the first ball of the match from the acclaimed Gordonians Ist XI Captain Blair Thompson. The ball was swinging away but Alec’s keen eye and classical driving stroke play shone through to dispatch 3 four’s from Thompsons first 2 over’s from the Pavilion end knocking some wind out of the Captain’s sails.
“Straight bat” Milroy faced MacIntyre from the Road end. The bowling was tight and the ball “nipped” up high and through fast, pressurising Miroy as MacIntyre was able to initially capitalise on the well prepared track. Thompson jibed either side of the wickets to bowl as his deliveries struggled to maintain a successful line, he did however like MacIntyre put some heat on the opening pair. MacIntyre’s tight bowling produced a few gasps as Keith and Milroy both flailed a few balls prior to connection, but Keith’s eye was in and he started to ably place the ball past 2nd slip to notch up a few boundaries.  Ali Milroy also took full advantage of a few balls outside off and square-cut to the quick, delivering the balls over the fast-paced outfield speedily to the boundary.
As the Gordonians openers were rested both first changes , Non and Indica were quickly taken advantage of, initially by Keith and then more cautiously by Milroy. After 12 overs  Thistle were on 42, six overs later Thistle were on 85 and Keith had passed a well played and deserved 50 runs.
It was now Milroy’s turn and he hit the spot with a sequence of 4’s, then matched and overtook Keith’s now fast scoring rate as they both built a solid innings. Some great classical stroke play was seen however the off day had now turned quite sour,  the weather closed in and rain was light and heavy then light again to the advantage of the batsmen but it looked doubtful if the rain taps were ever going to turn off. New bowlers Owens and Balaal could not stem the flow of runs and were replaced. Evelyn’s turn came from the road end in difficult conditions and with the still racing total of 169, he bowled Milroy in the 30th over for 81 after a confident and secure innings.
“Johnno” Van d’Ruit stepped up to the crease and immediately started delivering shots at a sizzling pace with a magnificent sequence of pulls, drives and some effortless guided shots from the hip to shoot a sequence of 4’s and 6’s, and the odd 2 here and there, reaching his 50 in less than 20 balls. Johnno was on fire and even the drizzle could not cool the pace at Countesswells and Gordonians did not really know what had hit them. With the total now on 255 and MacIntyre bowling, Johhno was caught on 62. In 6 overs Alec Keith and “Johnno” Van d’Ruit had added a stunning 87 runs to the Thistle total.
Alec Keith now approaching 100 runs received the deliveries of Thompson and MacIntyre with anchorman Andy Kemp now joining him in a supporting role at the crease.  However, Keith’s very active  and highly entertaining innings was almost terminated early;  Kemp and Keith decided to confuse each other in the middle of the wicket leaving Keith stranded which would have lead to a certain run-out if the opportunity had been grasped by Gordonians. Fortunately all was well for Thistle and Keith at the Pavilion end.
The stumps were drawn on Clive Hinchcliffe’s call after 37 overs, with Keith on excellent figures of 103 not out and Thistle with a highly creditable total of 263 runs.
The worsening conditions did put a huge dampener on the afternoon and it was clear that no matter how long the Umpire put off the decision to terminate the game it would be impossible to continue, and the game was abandoned shortly after tea. Gordonians escaped what could easily have been another major blow in their Grade 1 challenge.
The valiant efforts of all the batsmen on Saturday demonstrated very clearly that Stonehaven Thistle Cricket Club are now fired-up and in the winning zone, and ready for their next match against Mannofield at Links 4, Aberdeen Beach Area on Saturday 16th May .
As part of a double bonus for Cricket followers this weekend, Thistle start their Aberdeenshire Cup debut as they compete against  Bon Accord at  Mineralwell on Sunday 17th May. All supporters, visitors and families welcome.

Brian Campbell
10 May 2009