Inverurie - 30th June 2007 - A Team Performance!!

Stonehaven 1st XI 163 all out, Inverurie 90 all out

Vandalism was briefly interrupted at Mineralwell on Saturday whilst 22 cricketers played out a tense game until Stonehaven gained the upper hand.

The night before Vandals had torn a “manhole sized” entrance into the roll on, roll off covers. Fortunately the pitch was still playable and Inverurie won the toss electing to field.

After Ali Milroy was out cheaply, Alex Keith played an anchor roll with Denis Garden and the score crept to 19 off 9 overs.when Garden was bowled. Drew Hinchcliffe came to the wicket and played his best innings of the season with some fine shot selection on his way to 51.

When Keith went for 24, Thistle were 77 for 3 off 23 overs but the platform had been set. He was followed soon after by Hinchcliffe and Jonathan Van der Ruit played a cameo innings of 15 while Symon Jacobsen got his eye in at the other end, thereafter putting the Inverurie bowlers to the sword. With the tail to support him he notched up 42 to take Thistle to a respectable 163 in the next 14 overs..

Inverurie were to play a waiting game with their openers at the crease. It was evident from the start that survival was their priority but a game of cat and mouse developed as Thistle made fielding changes to try to bring about a run out. Jonathan Van der Ruit, opening for the first time this season bowled impressively with economy but no luck.

Wicketkeeper Ali Milroy removed himself from the field with a dislocated finger; Symon Jacobsen taking on the gloves and David Garden as substitute fielder.

In the 16th over, with the score on 34, they were rewarded as the Inverurie batsmen collided in mid-pitch and Drew Hinchcliffe’s arm found the substitute keepers gloves for an easy dismissal. The pressure eased further when M. Strachan was removed by a catch in the deep by, you’ve guessed it, Drew Hinchcliffe!

At 59 for 2 it was only a question of time for the rest of the batsmen and a race for Thistle’s bowlers to wrap up the innings before the rain started. Thankfully Thistle had the services of leg-spin maestro Andy Wilson to call on and he bowled out his 12 overs taking 6 for 28 runs, helped a little by fielders who in contrast to last week did not drop a catch. Jonathan Van Der Ruit was brought on to finish off the innings being rewarded with a wicket to finish with 9 overs, 5 runs for 1 wicket with Skipper Clive Hinchcliffe mopping up the rabbits for his 12 for 2 in the 41st over.

A satisfying win, but a game that Thistle needed to win if they are going to make any inroads against tougher opposition count. The match was sponsored by Foster Plant Services.

Then came the rain and a return of the vandals who churned up the wet pitch, ruining it for the Under 15 match on Wednesday, then holding a party under the covers that night.

It is disappointing to see that in the light of recent court events it seems that vandalism is no longer a crime in Stonehaven. The pitch can be repaired eventually, but the covers are fast approaching the point where they will have to be replaced.

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