Skipper Jack Mitchell shines as Huntly see off Falkland in latest Strathmore and Perthshire Cricket Union North-East Championship clash
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The sun finally made an appearance last Saturday as Huntly entertained Falkland 2nd XI at Castle Park.
It was touch and go as to whether the game would go ahead with the playing strip virtually surrounded by sitting water for most of the week. The collective efforts of the volunteers paid dividends however and the umpire passed the wicket fit for play and the game commenced at 12pm under sunlight and in positively balmy conditions.
Having won the toss and invited the visitors to have first use of the wicket skipper Jack Mitchell threw the ball to birthday boy Irtaza Hussain who duly charged in from the golf club end and had a very promising lbw shout the very first ball.
Despite the umpire keeping his hands firmly in his pocket it proved a temporary reprieve for the Falkland opener as he was trapped plum in front only three balls later as ‘Hoff' began his birthday celebration early with a well-deserved wicket.
Falkland’s number 3 made his intentions clear from ball one as he flashed hard at Barry Newlands first delivery before following up with some crisp drives through cover.
Although Hoff was bowling some quick and testing deliveries from the other end both Falkland batters stood firm and took advantage of anything slightly off line as they scored freely off the new ball attack.
Newlands was replaced by young quick Innes Parkin who bowled a good line and length which would have brought wickets on many a day however Saturday was not to be that day as both batters continued to chance their arms with expansive stroke play which continued to push the scoreboard along if not frustrate the young paceman as he watched several shots flash past the fielders.
Barry Newlands came closest to ending the carnage when he got finger tips to a drive with an impressive leaping effort to take a catch however it evaded his grasp as the total raced past fifty.
Time for the skipper to restore order as Jack Mitchell replaced Parkin from the pavilion end. Falkland youngster Langlands showed no intention of changing tact however as he belted the home sides skipper back over his head for 4 in his first over.
This was as good as it got for the visitors as Mitchell tossed one up in his second over, deceiving the young batter in flight and dislodging the bails to bring a roar of delight from the bowler and the home side back into the contest with the score 68 for 2.
At the other end Hoff was replaced by the elder of the two Petries on the field after an impressive opening spell, the wily old operator sending down a maiden over first up.
This was to set the pattern for the next hour or so as in combination with skipper Mitchell and a good fielding display the two bowlers put a lid on the scoring rate and began to exert pressure on the visitors batting line up.
Mitchell in particular looked dangerous with every delivery and it was no surprise when he doubled his wicket tally by trapping Burton in front lbw before following up a couple of balls later by removing the dangerous opener, this time turning one past the bat and crashing into the stumps.
From 68 for 1 the visitors had slumped to 79 for 4 courtesy of Mitchell’s strikes.
Worse was to follow for the visitors when the batters attempted a second run to a boundary bound stroke, failing to identify Irtaza ‘Hoff' Hussain swooping on the ball before sending in a howitzer arm return to keeper Elijah Ward-Armstrong who whipped the bails off before the batter was in the frame, six down.
Reward for Petrie’s accurate spell followed when he had the Falkland batter caught at mid off, young Lewis Petrie stepping confidently under the catch from his father’s bowling.
South African Jay-Dee Oliver pouched a difficult effort next over to double the veteran’s wicket tally and leave the visitors innings in tatters. Fittingly it fell to skipper Jack Mitchell to end proceedings as he provided Oliver with a second catch to bring up his five-for before snaring the final wicket with an impressive caught and bowled to finish with a richly deserved 6 for 20 from his spell. The home side would chase down a target of 91 to preserve their unbeaten start to the year.
Following Jay-Dee Oliver’s mighty display in hitting 95 not out in the previous home game, a few additional supporters had gathered to watch the diminutive batsman's follow-up visit to the crease.
They were not disappointed as in tandem with skipper Mitchell the Huntly openers showed their intent from the off with some brutal hitting as they aimed to make light work of the total set. The only surprise was when a low bounce did for Oliver (13) with the score on 35.
Out strode Elijah Ward-Armstrong to the crease and quickly settled any nerves that may have been around with a number of positive strokes that continued the home side's positive intentions.
The home support, out in numbers and enjoying the afternoon sunshine, were treated to a display of positive stroke play which made light of the tricky wicket. With the winning line in sight, man of the match Mitchell played one shot too many and was bowled for 27. His contribution to the match brought a deserved round of applause from the home support.
Calum Whyte came to the wicket but had little opportunity as he watched from the non-striker's end as Ward- Armstrong (37 n.o) continued on his merry way taking the home side to their victory target of 91 with ease. The young Aussie sent a towering six into the car park (narrowly avoiding an insurance claim!) to seal the points.
A comfortable victory in the end for the Castle Park side, however there are a few areas to work on with tougher opposition to come over the next few weeks. Skipper Mitchell was the day's stand-out performer with keeper batsman Ward-Armstrong’s innings also a highlight.
The team travel to Forfar on Saturday and a meeting with Strathmore. Prior to league duties they travel to the Aberdeen Rivera and a T20 meeting with Bon Accord tonight.
Falkland 2nd XI 90 all out – C Langlands 37, J.Mitchell 6 for 20, A. Petrie 2 for 22, I. Hussain 1 for 14
Huntly 91 for 2 – E. Ward-Armstrong 37 n.o, J.Mitchell 27
Huntly win by 8 wickets
