Mannofield 223 for 5
Stonehaven 147 all out

The 1st XI travelled to Mannofield for their final fixture of the season.

Mannofield won the toss and elected to bat on the hard “International” wicket; the same one used for the recent Scotland against Netherlands match.

Stonehaven openers bowled well from the start and Andrew Long struck in his third over bowling P.West for 12 and again in his 6th over with Ranna gone for 1.

At 27 for 2 Mannofield then consolidated with G Johnstone and D. Lawson as Stonehaven skipper rang the changes but without success until the 21st over when Johnstone went for 43 to a catch off Brian Campbell’s bowling.

The bowlers toiled thereafter as ex-Stonehaven player Mark Assiter (40) partnered Lawson until Andrew Long was brought back on in the 41st over with the score on 202.

Although Clive Hinchcliffe bowled G Johnston for 2, Mannofield decided their total was enough to chase in the 44th over and declared when D. Lawson reached his 100.

Andrew Long was by far the most effective bowler on the day with 3 for 33, albeit missing a caught and bowled chance.

In reply Stonehaven openers raced out of the blocks with 22 off the first 3 overs. Sadly once Bala got his swing bowling into action the runs dried up and Alex Keith was gone for 16 to chasing a wide delivery. Ali Milroy was caught on 33 off Assiter’s leg spin bowling, followed by Drew Hinchcliffe for no score.

Denis Garden struggled to 8 until he was bowled by C Burnett and at 71 for 4 off 22 overs Thistle’s run chase was in disarray.

Only Brian Campbell, for the second week running, held onto his wicket. Dave Long went for 6 to a ball that bounced unexpectedly and thereafter the tail was to fall away, all victims to Assiter with the exception of David Garden run out for 3. Assiter would finish on 6 for 47.

Despite some valiant batting strokes throughout his innings from Campbell, scoring 9 fours for his 51 not out the game was up in the 39th over when Clive Hinchcliffe played his first, and last, reverse sweep to a welcoming slip catcher.

The 2007 season which started so well and promised so much has left Thistle slipping into 5th place and mid-table mediocrity. Several seasons ago this would have been hailed as a triumph but with sights set higher and having spent most of the season in the top three it is only the late season form that has let them down.

However progress has been made on all fronts as this time last year Stonehaven were working out how many points were needed from their last game to avoid the drop. With the promise of yet more players to strengthen their squads next season, 2008 can’t come quick enough.

Any prospective new players are urged to contact the Club, details via the website: www.stonehavencricketclub.org.uk

The Match Sponsor was Peter Camble.

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