Methlick Cricket Club take the win over Siyapa in season opener
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The first day of the 2022 cricket season at Lairds was in doubt from a very damp outfield and a horrendous forecast, but the ground staff pulled off some miracles to prepare the ground for the visit of Siyapa.
By Friday the forecast had improved, but there were still concerns about the weather.
Methlick were also short of four first team regulars but were bolstered by the return of Tim Duffy as captain and opening bowler.
The intention was to put the visitors in to bat and try and turn them over quickly but Duffy lost the toss and Woodhouse and Acton opened for Methlick against a really unknown entity.
The openers bowled accurately and it was clear that on a damp surface runs would be difficult to come by, so the intention was to see off the openers and see what Siyapa’s strength in depth would look like.
The first two wickets went for not many but the openers were off and this brought the big hitting combo of Murphy and Veersema to the middle against the second string attack.
With the pitch drying the ball was running nicely to the boundary and as the two got their eyes in the scoring rate increased.
In a very much chanceless innings Murphy was first to his 50 followed a couple of balls later by Veersema.
After both batsmen finally fell bowled by Nissar there were only a few overs left to consolidate the innings.
Cordiner was bowled cheaply, Duffy swished and missed and was bowled and Hill opened his account with a golden duck; Jones and Anderson were not out as Methlick reached an impressive 159 -7 off their 40 overs.
The sky darkened as the first few drops of rain started to fall as the game resumed after tea.
Methlick made sure that they completed their overs and turned around quickly.
Duffy opened from the river end with Veersema coming down the hill and it didn’t take long for the wickets to start to fall.
Woodhouse, behind the stumps, took a flyer from a nick to give Veersema his first wicket and then Duffy took an incredible one-handed catch at first slip off the Aussies speedy bowling.
With seven wickets down for 38 it looked all over for Siyapa but then a ninth wicket stand, using up as much time as possible with rain threatening to get heavier, looked as though the game may be saved.
Duffy stepped up to take his fourth wicket and the last man fell quickly leaving Siyapa all out for 86 and Methlick winning by an impressive 73 runs.
At Counteswells, Methlick second team got away with one as their weakened bowling was pummelled by Gordonians scoring 358-4 with Gollakota scoring 110 before being bowled by Fraser Grant.
The rain came in and the match was abandoned.
This Saturday will see both sides strengthened by returning players, with the first team getting a stronger examination at Stonehaven whilst the seconds are at home to Huntly.
You can read about how other teams faired on the first day of the season here.
