Methlick maintain their 100 per cent record
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Methlick 1st XI vs Dunecht
A much changed Dunecht team turned up at Lairds on Saturday from the one dealt an early season thumping, being bowled out for 48 by Methlick writes Mark Woodhouse.
Would the resistance be enough to put a stop to MCC’s 100 per cent record?
Would the rains from the last two days affect the nature of the wicket?
Skipper Duffy put the visitors in to bat with the expectation of the surface drying out later on in the Saturday sun and breeze.
Openers Milne and Strachan defended resolutely and despite taking two boundaries off Duffy’s first over struggled to push the scoring along.
The opening spell from Duffy, and a particularly accurate Adam Veersema, only gave up 24 runs off the first 13 overs.
Mike Hordley and Daniel Reeve came on as first change and it was Hordley who struck first when Milne (32), trying to take a more aggressive stance, top edged a good length ball and Hordley was underneath for a fine caught and bowled.
His partner Strachan followed him back up the steps shortly after having only managed 3 runs in his 21 overs at the crease, nicking one from Hordley to keeper Woodhouse.
Hordley then bowled Ingram for a duck three balls later.
The new batter, Witz, was the unknown factor having scored a big hundred against Gordonians and 66 last week against Methlick 2nds.
He took 14 off Reeve’s 3rd over and looked threatening until Hordley, now into his stride, had him chopping on for 15.
After having to leave the field with a split nail after his third dropped catch of the innings, a bandaged up Veersema returned to remove Rahmen (18) caught behind.
Riding his luck and lofting the ball to all areas where the fielders weren’t, Humphrey played the Dunecht innings of the day and was on the cusp of his half century when he became Veersema’s second victim of the day bowled for 48.
The tail played to expectations with Hordley getting his fifth wicket bowling Baldrey for none, and then Jamie Jones came on at the end with a cameo performance bowling both Feeney and Burnett in the same over to dismiss Dunecht all out on 127.
Not much of a total then to chase for Methlick given their high-scoring antics over the season.
Woodhouse and Smith opening realised that if they could get to 40 for the first wicket then it was game over.
They were almost there when a stunned crowd saw Smith throw his partner under a bus with a suicidal single on 35.
Reeve played with characteristic aggression and the score moved to 63 when Smith, already dropped twice, was finally bowled by Burnett for 26.
This only meant that the destructive Veersema came in to bat. Despite, or because of his poorly finger, the Aussie was dealing in boundaries.
Reeve was bowled on 25. Hordley was keen to put his dodgy form behind him, especially after his antics with the ball in hand, and a six off Burnett seemed to put him on the road to recovery. Unfortunately he then missed a straight one and was out LBW for 7.
The ever reliable pie-man, Grant Cordiner (8 no), then supported Veersema (31 no) and took Methlick to yet another victory by 6 wickets with 10 overs to spare.
Methlick are now 16 victories from 16 matches and two games away from a 100 per cent season.
Promotion is in the bag and the target is to be champions.
Next week is a spare week due to the annual Liz Shepherd Ladies’ Day at the Beaton Hall.
Following that is what would seem to be a certainty against Gordonians and then the final week decider against Siyapa.
Not such good fortunes for Methlick 2nds on their visit to Huntly.
The home side put on 215 in their 40 overs with Methlick only managing 77 in reply.
Bowling honours went to captain Lewis Crutchfield taking 3 for 49 and Grame Fowlie with 3 for 32.
Dave Chalmers, Deni Sarafimoski and Graeme Fowlie all got starts but failed to capitalise.
