Stonehaven 2nd XI 92
Methlick 2nd XI 87

Last Saturday the second eleven had their first home game of the season against Methlick. The weather was fine and the wicket well prepared, but most of the batsmen on both teams did not take advantage of the conditions. This was a typical early season encounter, but led to one of the most exciting finishes in the history of the club.

S. Crozier and B. Findlay opened the batting for Stonehaven and Findlay was unlucky to get a ball that cut back into his stumps in the first over. J. Crozier then joined his father and they both set about building a solid partnership. They had very little trouble and soon moved on to 38 in the tenth over.

J. Crozier was then trapped lbw by the accurate England for 23, soon followed by S. Crozier for 16 and Hay. Jacobson took the attack to the bowlers and scored a very positive 28 in very short time, including two powerful sixes. However once he was bowled by Paton none of the other batsmen reached double figures.

There was some resistance from C. Findlay and Long as they scored 12 runs for the final wicket, but the innings ended on 92 after only 26 overs. Paton finished with 6 wickets for 20 runs.

Defending such a small total Stonehaven realised that their bowling and fielding would have to be at its best, but this team has such confidence that no-one gave up hope of victory.

C. Findlay and King opened the bowling with pace and accuracy and King had his first wicket in the fourth over. He followed this up with two more in the tenth over (all bowled) and at 36 for 3 Methlick were in trouble.

The Methlick captain Kennedy was proving to be more stubborn, and despite giving chances kept scoring at a steady rate. Along with Mitchell he was able to push the score on to 69 off 17 overs, despite some good accurate bowling by Findlay, King and Garden. At this stage Methlick were looking confident.

S. Crozier came on to bowl, and after two maiden overs made the breakthrough, bowling Kennedy for 43. Two more wickets in the over transformed the score from 69 for 3 to 69 for 6. J. Crozier also bowled some good overs before King was brought back on. The two veteran bowlers kept up the pressure with good accuracy and were superbly supported by the fielders. Suddenly the Methlick batsmen were becoming very nervous.

S. Crozier took three more wickets in one over bringing the last man to the crease at 84 for 9. King trapped the last man lbw, a very sporting decision given by Methlick’s Gerrie, and the team was thrilled to have pulled off an improbable victory with only 5 runs to spare. S. Crozier finished with 6 wickets for 12 runs, King had 4 for 31.

Next Saturday the second eleven face Academy at Mineralwell. The match ball was sponsored by the Station Hotel.